Dear Adriano Zumbo,
Happy Monday to you in Sydney! How are things going in the Inner West (and Manly)? Busy brainstorming ideas for Macaron Day 2011? I bet you and your team are doing just that.
You don’t know me, though I wish you did. One year ago I stepped through the doors of your Rozelle location and tasted my first macarons (strawberry + mint and citrus + mustard, in case you were wondering — I enjoyed half of a passionfruit tart as well!). I know this is no news to you, but they were magical. Little (2-3) bite size morsels of joy.
Shortly after my first visit, I took a friend who was visiting from home to the Rozelle store and we shared several macarons. On that day, a challenge was born — my No Macaron Left Behind mission, in which I would taste as many flavors of your creative, delectable macarons as possible before my Work & Holiday visa expired. A daring, potentially expensive, and waistline expanding goal, sure, but I knew it would be worth it.
Enjoying a few macarons in Rozelle
Over the next 7 months, I tasted 67 unique flavors before boarding a flight back to the USA. Doesn’t have the nice ring of 100, but it’s still fairly impressive. I wrote about each macaron I tasted on this blog — the link in the previous paragraph tells the tale!
Macaron Day 2010 haul
With Macaron Day 2011 fast approaching, I’m very disappointed that I currently live half a world away from you and your macarons. And I’ve been trying to think of a way to afford a brief trip for the special event. Then I had an idea. I’ve talked about it before on my blog, but I’m sure you were too busy developing new recipes to notice it. What would you say, and I know this is a bit forward of me since we’ve never met, to sponsoring me on a magical Macaron Day trip?!
See, I am past the age of securing a Work & Holiday visa, and besides, I already used my one-time shot last year. I’d take another look at the skill shortage list, but I’m pretty sure “macaron consumption” didn’t make the cut — you have plenty of local loyal followers for there to be a real need for overseas help.
But I’d be more than happy to earn my keep as a volunteer! You could put me to work a volunteering effort — I’ll wear one of the black and hot pink “I ♥ Zumbo” shirts, hand out Macaron Day pamphlets to the queue, and find the macarons with cracked shells to offer to the patient crowd. I’m open to additional ideas.
Macaron Day 2010 list of options
I don’t need a place to stay (I have a friend who’s happy to host me!) and when I’m not tasting as many macarons as possible, I already have an extensive list of places to eat with food-loving friends. The only challenge is the flight from Washington, Dulles (IAD) to Sydney and of course the return trip. I can volunteer enough hours to cover that, right?!
I’d ask the good folks at VAustralia or Qantas (both of which I’ve flown before) to help, but I can’t write them a love letter about their product like I can your macarons. Maybe the Sydney Morning Herald would help sponsor to add a piece about the crazy American who flew half way around the world for Macaron Day. Or perhaps SBS would do a follow-up interview on the girl a camera crew once met in the Macaron Day 2010 queue.
SBS gave me a few-second clip on the first episode of the documentary
More about me and your macarons:
— Before I started my shift at a store on Darling St on Thanksgiving Day, I popped around the corner to the Rozelle location to buy a macaron as my Thanksgiving dessert.
— I introduced many travelers to your macarons…some have since visited, purchased, and tasted and others plan to do so as soon as they arrive in Australia.
— Food blogger Ms. Gourmantic was behind me in the Macaron Day queue and took a photo of me, a fellow American living in Sydney, and my parents. Later, she wrote a post about my appearance in the doco.
— I included your macarons and unique cakes in a food post I wrote for a UK travel company’s blog.
I know you’re probably busy instilling fear and awe into Junior Masterchef contestants; darting between Rozelle, Balmain, and Manly; and trying new flavor combos that will continue to wow the crowds and test your imagination. It’s okay if you don’t write back or never read this. But IF you do and you’re so inclined to sponsor some volunteer work, I’m eager to talk O:-)
Oh yeah, and if you read this, I’d REALLY love you to clear up the issue on the pronunciation of the “M” word.
Happy creating, baking, and eating!
From one Jets fan to another (well, you’re Newtown, I’m New York),
Heather
Twitter Updates
Lovely post/letter/job application 🙂
Your dedication, desire and worth shines through. How can Zumbo not take you up on the offer?
You are bringing macarONS (just to make a point on pronunciation) to the world, advertising that Zumbo’s is the place to be for truly delectable delights 🙂
By the way, if you do get the offer, try and swing it for me to come as well, though I’m not sure I can look the part in a hot black and pink I love Zumbo t-shirt :-P, but I can certainly do some web/IT/programming stuff for you! 🙂
Great post again, loving the way you write and put your case forward in this one 🙂
Why thank you, Gav. Glad I was able to introduce you and the gang to macarons during my visit. Granted, Zumbo’s are HEAPS better, but I’m happy to share the love of macarons to the world (or London for starters).
Hey, I’ll be lucky to get myself over there — but if you’re offering to help me with my blog, I’ll take it 🙂
Yep, sure, no problem. Where do you want me to put the Chelsea FC, Jets and UVA banners? 😉
Any company with a fan this passionate about their product would be downright silly not to sponsor him/her.
Your name is now synonymous with macarons! Everywhere I go, if I see a macaroon, I think, “I have to take a picture of that and sent it to Heather!” And when I eat them, I wonder, “Are these as good as the Zumbo macaroons, she writes about?”
This made me smile SO much 🙂
Since we don’t know when I’ll get married, maybe I’ll ask you to do a shoot with me and macarons O:-)
Haha I can’t believe you got interviewed on Macaron Day 2010! Awesome. I didn’t even know such a thing existed, what a sheltered life I have been living. I will back your pledge for 2011 and also can I say that your love of OZ really does come out in your posts. I wish you could get back over there, sponsored or otherwise.
When the camera crew interviewed the guy in front of me (who was wearing one of the black & hot pink shirts!) I thought there was no way I could get an interview. Once they finished up, I just looked at the camera man until he couldn’t help but notice me. “Are you a fan,” he asked, and I nearly laughed. The rest is 5-second history 🙂
I’m glad my love for Oz comes through — it’s there and I hope it never goes away. <3
Go universe go! Sponsor her, Adrian Zumbo!!!
*hopes + prays + crosses fingers*
Heather, your writing is so creative & engaging – *love* this post!
I still can’t believe we didn’t even know macarons existed until finding Zumbo! What a deprived life we were living!
I would sponsor you myself if I could – miss you so much!!
Aww, thank you sweetie! Like the food posts, this one just flowed from my fingers!
I don’t need a business or first class ticket — I’m an economy girl! Volunteering would SURELY cover that?! 😉
You absolutely deserve to be sponsored!!!
I would certainly love it and make the most of it O:-)
I LOVE this post! How can he refuse now?! 🙂
Aww thank you! Here’s hoping 😉
Or send her massive boxes of every flavor so she can continue providing us with taste by taste posts! <3
Not a bad idea 🙂 Reasonable alternative 😉
Ah, brings back ‘sweet’ memories of Macaron Day 2010, and how much dad and I enjoyed seeing your excitement, watching your interview take place and sharing the delectable mararons with you!
I loved introducing you guys to life in the inner West — especially on Macaron Day.
Haha, your obsession with maccarons is so adorable. It’s infectious. I really need to get out and try one of these famed sweets already.
My housemate’s co-worker grew up with Adriano. Maybe that can be my in to get a free sample? >_>
How have you STILL not gone, Chris?! If I was still living on your side of the world, you know I would have taken you there already.
Oooo, I hope this works! Good luck & you certainly deserve it!
Thank you 🙂
C’mon Adriano – are you listening? Give this girl a break and a PLANE TICKET – you won’t regret it. She is PERFECT for the job – uh, volunteer that is. She has shared your mastery with hundreds of people all over the world who have visited your bakery or plan to once they go to Australia because of her love of your macarons. Have a heart – she would love to celebrate your birthday with you.
Thank you for your support, Camille!
FLY HER OUT TO AUSTRALIA ALREADY!!!
Come on Adriano! This would be great for your business. The girl is clearly passionate about your macarons, and just think of the audience you’d be reaching! Virtual global domination…or something like it.
(Hope your persistence pays off Heather 🙂 I hope you’ve emailed him the post!)
Awesome comment!! Virtual global domination does sound pretty good!