When Salim Nahhas was a young boy in Jordan he often peered through the glass encasement at a local pastry shop and cherished the idea of becoming a renowned pastry chef. Since then he has achieved international recognition and recently brought his talents to Alexandria Pastry Shop and Catering Company at Bradlee Shopping Center.

In the kitchen, Nahhas concentrates on perfecting cakes and other pastries with the precision of a scientist, but he considers his profession to be more of an art.

Its a way of expression, Nahhas says. It helps express my feelings through something good.

In 2005 Nahhas, who often goes by Sam, represented Jordan at the World Pastry Cup in Paris, an event considered to be a destination for the worlds best pastry chefs. He has brought flavors we didnt use before to Alexandria shop, he says. His specialty is chocolate, but he works with anything and everything even ice sculptures.

Before Alexandria, Nahhas worked at the five-star Radisson Sas Hotel in France and has practiced in Dubai and Bahrain as well.

Alexandria is different, he admits, but I love it. All the people keep smiling, he said.