If you’re a client of Sydney design agency
Universal Favourite, there’s no chance of
receiving a branded fridge magnet or a
novelty mug when the season for end-of-year
thank-you gifts arrives. Dari Israelstam, the
agency’s owner and creative director, says
his team tackle presents with the creativity
and focus they would any other brief. “We
always want to craft something out-of-the-
box, that reflects how we work,” he says.
There have been custom scents, edible
infographics and personalised board games,
for example, and in 2016, Complements
chocolates were launched. TheTetris-like
chocolates, originally created using 3D
printing, are handmade in collaboration
with Sydney’s Bakedown Cakery. Featuring
Belgian couverture, and in flavours such
as lychee and coconut, black sesame, and
blackberry, the pair-and-share treats have
attracted praise around the world for their
design and originality. Now, Universal
Favourite is sharing the love and has
released a limited-edition run of 500 boxes.How did the idea for Complements
chocolates come about, Dari?
Our end-of-year gifts have developed cult
status among our clients, and each year we
aim to be more inventive than the last.
We really wanted to do something with
chocolate and 3D printing, and liked the
idea of combining new technologies withtactile and human experiences. They've hit
a real sweet spot because they combine two
things people love: chocolate and design.
Why the stepped shape?
The shapes complementing each other and
fitting together are reminiscent of how we
saw our relationship with our clients. After
exploring a range of diferent interlocking
designs, we chose a clean, modular
staircase, which when combined with
another flavour, creates a bite-sized cube.
How did you decide on the flavours?
We wanted to make sure that we didn’t just
nail the aesthetic side of things. Yes, they
are beautiful little refined pieces of art, but
at the end of the day, they end up in your
mouth. We went through many rounds of
experimenting, tasting and refining the
flavours and always opted for the subtle
and natural choice over more vibrant
artificial ingredients.
What makes a gift special?
Thoughtfulness. The best gift is one that
shows the person you’ve really thought
about them, gives them new experiences
or challenges them to learn something new.
Complements chocolates, $85 for
a box of 12, with free shipping globally,
(02) 9357 4401, complements.com.auComplements chocolates
These inventive modular sweets seamlessly
pair food and design.Australian chef Curtis Stone has overhauled his Los Angeles restaurant, Maude,
swapping the focus of his monthly tasting menus from single ingredients to wine
regions of the world. January through March was Rioja, and next up, from 1 April,
is Burgundy. Time for coq au vin and beef bourguignon.mauderestaurant.comMAD WORLD
Ever wondered what it means to be
a chef, or what the future of food looks like?
MAD has. The not-for-profit organisation,
founded in Copenhagen by Noma chef René
Redzepi, wants to inspire self-reflection and
change in the global food community. What
began in 2011 as a two-day symposium now
includes MAD Mondays, a private salon
series where key figures from the food
world come together to tackle the tough
questions. With the help of Kylie Kwong,
thefirstMADMondaysinSydney
are happening at Carriageworks
(16 April, 16 July). Keep an eye on
GTonline for a wrap.madfeed.coThe Gucci Décor collection is finally
on its way to Australia. Start saving – these
hypnotic metal trays, a little more
artpiecethaneveryday,costfrom$790.The
entire homewares collection arrives online
and in stores in May.gucci.comABOVE, FROM LEFT: Strawberry with
Cookies & Cream, Coconut & Lychee with Salted
Caramel, Pistachio with Raspberry, Lavender
with Blackberry, Single Origin Dark with Matcha.MEET YOUR MAKERGOURMET TRAVELLER 23NewsPHOTOGRAPHY RODNEY MACUJA (AMARGO-VALLET AND SK-II)