Porsche's Strengths Extend Beyond the Racetrack

This year marks the 70th anniversary since Porsche introduced the 356. Porsche is celebrating this milestone year, themed "70 Years of Sports Cars," in various ways. In July, Toyosu hosted a unique customer appreciation event. At "Wild Magic" in Toyosu, known for its waterfront BBQ facilities, Porsche organized a glamorous camping experience.

The combination of Porsche and glamorous camping might seem a bit unexpected. However, Porsche's expertise isn't limited to asphalt surfaces like racetracks and winding roads. Even before achieving multiple Le Mans 24 Hours victories and earning the title "King of Endurance," Porsche made a name for itself with overwhelming success in the snowy Monte Carlo Rally. From 1968 to 1970, they achieved an astonishing three consecutive 1-2 finishes.

Originally strong on ice, snow, and dirt as well as asphalt, Porsche stands for sports cars of exceptional durability and reliability. Today, Porsche's lineup includes SUVs like the new Cayenne and Macan, as well as estate GTs such as the Panamera Sport Turismo. Thus, Porsche's concept of "sport" is no longer confined to competition; this is precisely why they chose to celebrate their 70th anniversary of sports cars with glamorous camping.

Under the high summer sun, attendees seeking refuge from the heat gathered under tents, welcomed by the sight of a 1986 Paris-Dakar specification 959, car number 185, driven by Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur. Standing alongside this legendary machine were the "modern Porsche sports cars" – the new Cayenne, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, and Macan – creating a truly breathtaking display.

Fitting for a Porsche glamorous camping event, special guests presented unique menus for the day. One was Sadaharu Aoki, owner and patissier of "Pâtisserie Sadaharu Aoki" in Paris's 5th arrondissement, who has also produced numerous creations in Japan. The other was Naoki Goto, owner and master roaster at "Mamehico Coffee" in Fukuoka. These two crafted exclusive dishes for owners, themed around Porsche and glamorous camping.

First, Mr. Aoki presented a "frappé" – a custom shaved ice dessert – perfect for the scorching glamorous camping heat.

"My creations transform in many ways, just like Porsche; they are all-weather," he remarked. "This frappé is an original, made just for this event." The available flavors were the classic strawberry and citron (lemon), along with Sadaharu Aoki's signature matcha. Each was topped with a naturally tart whipped cream. The citron flavor, in particular, offered a delightful combination of richness and refreshment, reminiscent of a lemon tart.

However, the matcha flavor was the true highlight. A variation of his signature "Bambou" (matcha chocolate cake), it featured a subtly sweet matcha syrup and cream, complemented by the pleasant texture of lightly crisp ice.

A passionate motocross rider until the age of 16, Mr. Aoki is also a devoted car enthusiast, and Porsche has always been an object of his admiration.

"When I moved to France at 21, I wanted to absorb everything from the top chefs – not just their techniques and work, but also their gestures and attire. Chefs who know exquisite things have beautiful ways of eating and their possessions are not mere decorations. I wanted to be like that. Some chefs drove Porsches. Rally start ceremonies were held in Paris. I saw the 959 displayed there in real-time."

When asked further about his perspective on Porsche, he added, "My father used to say it's the finest mass-produced car crafted by artisans, and I agree. It should be the same for pastry making. Even with a great recipe, daily practice and refinement are essential. While it's often said that the latest 911 is the best 911, my 'Bambou' is subtly improved each year, though it appears unchanged."

And what about recent Porsche models?

"I actually got to experience the Macan thoroughly for the first time today, and it's truly excellent. It's a compact SUV, yet it's unmistakably a Porsche. It embodies the pursuit of engineering ideals. For instance, when learning any action, isn't it different to consider its center of gravity and key points versus learning passively? Even when created from scratch, it possesses that essence, that Porsche-ness. Beyond just material desires, Porsche represents what I aspire to, not just in pastry making."

Experience Glamorous Camping Roasting

Following Mr. Aoki, who passionately discussed Porsche and patisserie amidst the scorching heat of the glamorous camping event, Mr. Naoki Goto, the roaster, took the stage. What kind of special coffee did he envision for Porsche owners?

"People who regularly drive and enjoy Porsches aren't just looking for a quick way to get from A to B, are they? They value the process. Therefore, I believe there's a strong affinity between that mindset and the act of savoring coffee. In fact, some of my shop's customers drive Porsches. So today, because it's hot, I wanted to offer not only hot coffee but also iced options. Furthermore, since we're outdoors and can safely use fire, I wanted participants to experience a roasting method using a gas stove and a gingko-nut roasting pan."

Even outdoors, a cup of coffee is essential for relaxation. But for this special occasion of Porsche's glamorous camping, Mr. Goto proposed an even more indulgent experience. At his tent, visitors could choose between dark or light roasts, served hot or iced, accompanied by Sadaharu Aoki's orange peel chocolates and matcha dragees. Opting for the iced version, I was struck by its intense aroma, delicate acidity, and lingering finish, despite being cold. While some coffee was pre-roasted for distribution, he explained that the fundamental method and principles remain the same.

"Outdoors, like when camping, you simply place green coffee beans in a gingko-nut roasting pan and heat them over a gas stove. Of course, once they reach a certain temperature, they can easily burn, so you need to be mindful of the distance from the flame and shake them carefully."

As he spoke, Mr. Goto handed the equipment to a visitor experiencing the glamorous camping roasting, while he held his hand above the pan to gauge the temperature. It was a robust roasting method suited for a campsite. To prepare for the heat from the roasting pan, leather gloves were worn beforehand.

"Outdoors, wind can be a factor. However, while pan-roasting can lead to unevenness, heating with a gas stove or burner flame makes it easier to monitor the color changes visually. Starting coffee from scratch outdoors like this might seem cumbersome, but I believe Porsche owners, who appreciate more than just transportation, would find the resulting difference in taste intriguingly enjoyable."

Holding the pan just out of direct flame and gently shaking it to avoid damaging the beans, one waits for them to evenly color. As the beans change hue, participants invariably exclaim. Once roasted to the desired level, the beans are removed from the heat, placed in a sieve, and allowed to cool naturally. The photo below compares the green beans with those roasted to a perfect medium level. From here, the beans are ground and brewed using one's preferred method, such as drip.

Of course, prior to the sweets and coffee prepared by the two special guests, catering tents offered salad and BBQ lunch plates. Despite the intense heat of midsummer, the venue was designed for owners and their families to enjoy, with children's Porsche mini-cars and camping items displayed for interaction.

Furthermore, as an outdoor activity for families, numerous workshops were available. T-shirts and tote bags could be customized with favorite Porsche designs, candles could be made for evening lighting, and nail art was offered for women. The workshops in each tent were a great success.

In essence, the sportiness that Porsche pursues in automobiles is no longer limited to competing in motorsports like circuit racing or rallies, or to the driver's enjoyment of control through superior handling. It now encompasses sharing joy with many people outdoors, such as during outdoor camping trips with family and friends, carrying luggage to desired destinations. This, too, falls within the scope of the sport they aim for.

These activities are, of course, made possible by environmental considerations through hybrid and electric powertrains, allowing for precise and swift arrival at the destination. It is precisely because Porsche has proven its durability and speed on all types of roads that it can pioneer new horizons with its expanded lineup, including SUVs and sports estates.