The “No Macaron Left Behind” mission was a 7-month, 65+ flavor, calorie-packed adventure! When I left Oz, I knew the mission would continue somehow and in small ways it has — I sampled macarons in London, now own several macaron cookbooks, and have been the recipient of macaron-themed gifts.
But let’s be honest. The mission isn’t the same without Zumbo macarons. And how in the world am I going to get Zumbo macarons when I live half a world away?!
Last year’s Macaron Day haul
A couple of months ago I wrote a letter to Adriano Zumbo, expressing my love for his bite-sized morsels of joy, sweetly asking for a sponsored trip for Macaron Day 2011. Cheeky, yes, and while I was hopeful, I knew it wasn’t likely.
Being interviewed for the SBS documentary on Zumbo in 2010
A couple of weeks after publishing the post, I received an email that made my day! My dear friend Nicole had contacted Zumbo to tell him about my mission and the post. A Zumbo rep then contacted me to say that while they couldn’t bring me to Macaron Day, they could bring Macaron Day to me! A box of delectable, Zumbo + company made macarons would travel across the Pacific and continential US to my doorstep. It doesn’t get much better than this, people.
But wait, MAYBE IT DOES! A few weeks ago, my pal Kristin tweeted me with exciting news. Zumbo was signing his new book in Brisbane, and she wondered if I wanted a signed copy. Um, YES PLEASE.
Kristin snapped a photo of Zumbo signing my book
But wait, it gets BETTER. As Kristin’s chatting with Zumbo, she tells him about my mission. His reply? “Oh I know her! We’re sending her macarons for Macaron Day!”
And send them he did.
I signed for the package in delight and was SHOCKED to see 2 trays of macarons in the package. 70. ZUMBO. MACARONS.
I ran upstairs to grab my camera and then photographed the macarons outside before I lost natural light. So many colors, so many flavors…how would I know which was which?! It’s a nice problem to have, I assure you.
Like last year, Zumbo provided customers with a menu of the 60+ flavors. I cut a third of a macaron, let it melt in my mouth, and consulted the list. Then I repeated this multiple times. For the last two days. Then I decided to pop the rest in the freezer so I don’t eat them all in one week. Don’t worry, I shared a few too.
I wasn’t able to identify all of the flavors I sampled, but I know for a fact that I tasted:
Rose, passionfruit, peanut caramel (yum!), cinnamon doughnut, milo, fig and honey, mandarin and tonka, banana, chocolate banana, coffee (my favorite), hazelnut, and raspberry.
In the freezer, among many others, are coconut and pandan, peanut butter and jelly, and peach tea.
I didn’t identify all of them by taste alone! Thanks to several bloggers, I had a few captioned photos to guide me. Oh yeah, and thanks to bloggers, I know that the day is no longer called Macaron Day but Zumboron Day.
Thank you to everyone who has supported my macaron mission, especially those who commented on the “letter to Zumbo” and sent Zumbo the blog post through email, Facebook, or Twitter. And of course, Adriano and Alex, thanks heaps!
Twitter Updates
So happy for you beautiful *HUG*
I knew the mission wouldn’t be over and last week was a great week for the mission 🙂 I think a few of us tweeted and posted, but big thanks to Nicole for the email 🙂
I can’t wait to sample some of the macarons you’ve frozen and I’m really looking forward to sampling our own macaron baking efforts 🙂
Once again you’ve taken some great photos and written a great post!
This is so awesome and definitely a testament to a. your love of Zumbo macarons and b. blogging!
I’m making my first macaron today! These: http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/recipes/14413/raspberry-macaroon-dreams
Can’t wait to read how they turn out!!
This is amazing! I’m so glad they made this happen for you!
I’m thrilled for you, Heather! That is so cool — and they look delicious! Can’t wait to hear about the rest of the flavors 🙂
Haha, Heather that is so cool! Lucky girl!
Very cool. Love the photos too.
Looks yummy and not a single broken one! Good on you! Enjoy!
The “A” word is overused in my estimation….but “amazing” fits this post and macarons very well. Heather…this is one time (out of many I might add) that I’m glad you reside here with us.
Best macarons EVER!
The photos of all the colours are beautiful.
Amazing they were able to send them too you – so pleased AND you get a signed book! 🙂
Hope they still taste delicious when you take them out of the freeze. 🙂
So happy for you Heather – you deserve it! Glad you liked the coffee one as much as I did – sooo yummy! 😀
This is so AWESOME! I love that you guys made this happen! High fives to everyone!!!
Amaaaaazing! What I would give for a macaron right now.
Thanks so much everyone 🙂
this is incredible! I love that he sent them to you- how sweet!
Oh Heather, that’s awesome! I got a huge smile reading that knowing how much you loved those things. What an awesome guy that Zumbo is!
It’s about time they make you a honorary spokeswoman. Honorary with a small, but meaningful, regular “payment” in macarons. 😉
Gunther, that’s one of the best ideas I’ve heard in a while! 😉
Wow Heather! This is INCREDIBLE – you’re famous hun!! So happy that the macaroon mission had a ‘happily ever after’ ending =D
I wish you lived closer to London so we could get together for macarons when I visit again this spring 🙂
How fun! I love that the creator himself has recognized your passion. I’m going to try to get to Laduree in Harrods next week, and I will definitely think of you if I do.
I’d love to hear what you think of their macarons! I tried a few over the summer and didn’t think they were as good as Zumbo’s, but I’m already biased O:-)
How cool!!! You’re a local celeb Heather! I STILL haven’t had a Zumbo macaron!
How awesome is that!
If you’re not already aware, it’s back again, coming up this Saturday 6th October. Still up to his crazy antics flavours such as Duck Pancake, Fried Chicken, Kimchi and Pork Belly, as well as all the other usual goodness.
While on macarons, since your time here the field has expanded somewhat so there are now a number of options available, some arguably even better than his (though few as zany). We even had Laduree open a store in Sydney not long ago but with mixed reports at to the quality (and they’re like 30% more expensive).
Simon, just the other day I was thinking that Zumboron Day should be any day now and I noticed the date on the website 🙂 I can’t wait to read what Sydney food bloggers have to say about it. Hope you’re going!
I’ve tasted a few Laduree macarons in London — a couple were tops and some were okay 🙂
Even though it probably won’t be til USA summer 2014, I look forward to returning to Oz and eating well 🙂