Wonder Full
Coffee · Rose · Lychee
The Artwork
Rory Walker approaches this flavour pairing as a contemporary wunderkammer, a cabinet of curiosities where individual elements are collected, framed and contemplated. Inspired by the segmented nature of the dish, the artwork separates each component into distinct “wonders,” inviting viewers to consider them individually before understanding them as a unified whole.
At the centre, an imagined collector is immersed in the sensory experience, offering a window into the mindset of discovery and curiosity. The composition is framed within a letterpress type drawer, traditionally used to store printing blocks, reinforcing ideas of arrangement, structure and thoughtful composition.
The piece balances delicacy and depth, mirroring the relationship between floral lychee and rose, and the darker tones of coffee and chocolate.
Justin Montefiore
Music: Perfume and Spice
The composition moves from delicate, airy textures into warmer, more resonant tones, echoing the transition within the dish. Light floral sounds gradually deepen, guiding diners from perfume into roast.
The music unfolds alongside the dessert, encouraging guests to move through the layers in time with sound and flavour.
Ritual Revival
The Experience
The dessert is presented as a vertical composition designed to be eaten from top to bottom. Bright floral notes of lychee and rose open the experience before deepening into roasted coffee and rich chocolate.
As diners move through the layers, the palate shifts from delicate perfume to darker indulgence. The structure encourages a gradual unfolding, allowing flavour, artwork and music to align in sequence.
The Flavour Science
Lychee and rose share aromatic compounds such as geraniol, responsible for their distinctive floral perfume. These volatile molecules create a natural harmony between fruit and flower.
Coffee and chocolate develop their depth through Maillard reactions, producing roasted, bitter and caramelised notes. The contrast between these compounds creates a layered sensory progression — bright and aromatic first, followed by warm, roasted richness.
Arranging the dessert vertically allows the brain to perceive these shifts sequentially, enhancing contrast and clarity of flavour.