Sweet Spot: The Med’s Passion Mango Dessert

At La Valencia Hotel’s The Med restaurant, Executive Pastry Chef Ginger Niles is flexing more than the liquid nitrogen skills she honed while working at Juniper and Ivy—she’s stirring in elements from her degree in biology and first career in interior design, too.

The fruits of her labor land on the plate with The Med’s Passion Mango dessert. Crack open the lavender sphere with a spoon to release a passion fruit and mango puree over an almond shortbread cookie, layer of orange-blossom-scented curd, coconut cream pearls, and candied cashews. Green makrut leaf dust lends floral flavor, while edible cornflower petals add color.

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“People love this dessert,” Niles says. “The interactive element brings in the fun factor, but it’s the flavors that tie it all together.”

1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla

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Sweet Spot: The Med’s Passion Mango Dessert

Photo by Danielle Jackson