Dessert in the desert
Pastry chef Natalia Bertolucci innovates with her health-conscious creations. Companion reports.
In the world of pastry, few chefs blend cultures, flavours, and personal stories as seamlessly as Natalia Bertolucci. As Head Pastry Chef at 25hours Hotel One Central, she crafts more than just robust desserts — she creates edible narratives inspired by her Brazilian roots, global travels, and the multicultural energy of Dubai. From nostalgic childhood memories of baking for her brothers to leading one of the city’s most dynamic pastry kitchens, Natalia brings heart, heritage, and innovation to every creation.
Natalia creates edible narratives
From her earliest memories of baking with her brothers as her first tasters and critics, Natalia’s passion for pastry was born. Today, every creation reflects her love for storytelling through pastry—a delicate balance of art and science. Chef Natalia’s style is deeply rooted in cultural fusion. Her multicultural background and travels—paired with the dynamic culinary scene of Dubai—fuel her imagination. One of her most loved creations is the pistachio cake, a dessert that pays homage to Dubai’s pistachio obsession while honouring her Brazilian heritage. Inspired by the traditional brigadeiro, Natalia reimagines it with pistachio paste, toasted nuts, and condensed milk, offering a rich and creamy filling tucked inside a soft sponge—a true Brazilian-Arab delight.
Her use of regional ingredients is another hallmark of her work. Flavors like saffron, dates, cardamom, and rose water are reinterpreted through a modern pastry lens. A standout is the date pecan tart with saffron whipped cream, which layers the warmth of local spices with French technique, bridging tradition and innovation.
In 2024, Chef Natalia took her craft to the global stage at the World Food Championships in Indianapolis, USA. Her talent also earned a feature in My Food Story (U.S., 2025), where she contributed one of her signature recipes, grilled peach. That same year, she was named one of the 50 Most Talented Chefs in Middle East Hotels—a testament to her growing influence in the region’s vibrant food scene.
Beyond the kitchen, Chef Natalia is a committed advocate for women in the culinary industry. She actively mentors aspiring chefs and champions a more inclusive, supportive environment for women to thrive. Her own journey as a leader in a male-dominated field is both a source of strength and inspiration for others. Always pushing forward, Chef Natalia is exploring new territory in 2025: desserts that are low in sugar but high in creativity, and pastries made with plant-based ingredients and exotic fruits. She’s passionate about crafting treats that are as health-conscious as they are imaginative.
A dream project? A cross-cultural dessert experience—a collaborative tasting menu that fuses local flavours with the progressive, sustainable spirit of 25hours Hotel One Central. One idea already in the works is desert mirage —a layered dessert that plays with warm spices, refreshing textures, and bold colour—a mirror of the hotel’s eclectic energy. As she continues to redefine the pastry landscape, Chef Natalia Bertolucci remains committed to one mission: to delight, to surprise, and to inspire—one dessert at a time.
