When Sweet Meets Savory: Chef Sonny Mariano Redefines Dessert with TasteSetters® in collaboration with Clara Olé
In photo: Chef Sonny Mariano prepping a dish
When it comes to dessert, daring was the name of the game as TasteSetters® and Clara Olé took center stage at ICEGEX 2025, held last October 25 at the World Trade Center. In his live demo, Chef Sonny Mariano treated the audience to a masterclass in creativity and contrast, highlighting how unconventional thinking — when paired with premium ingredients — can transform dessert from something expected, into an experience worth savoring.
Armed with TasteSetters® Brand pastes and sauces, Chef Sonny Mariano pushed beyond traditional flavor boundaries by showcasing how balance can emerge from boldness, and how innovation thrives when you think outside of the box. Part of the TasteSetters® philosophy is the idea that experimentation is the key to progress, because growth happens when chefs take risks, test limits, and embrace the unexpected. So with this intent in mind, Chef Sonny Mariano caringly imbued every scoop with experimentation, craftsmanship, and the endless possibilities that arise when sweet meets savory — transforming the demonstration into an open invite to rethink the way we perceive dessert.
In photo: Samplers of the mentioned flavors
The demo gave rise to a lineup of flavors that surprised and delighted the palates of the attendees — these included Crab and Shrimp with Salted Egg Curry Sauce (TasteSetters® Brand Crab & Shrimp Flavor Savory Sauce), Red Pesto and Caramel Ice Cream (Clara Olé Red Pesto, TasteSetters® Brand Caramel Cream Paste), and the bold Spiced Black Forest (Clara Olé Black Forest Spread, Clara Olé Orange Marmalade, Tabasco Red Pepper Sauce). Every dish challenged expectations, blending indulgence with inventive flair.
At ICEGEX 2025, TasteSetters® didn’t just serve sweetness — we served a daring new direction for culinary creativity.
Watch the video to see Chef Mariano in action!
