All About Fine Chocolate by Cat Black

  • Chocs4Chance – A uniquely worthwhile Valentines chocolate auction.

    January 26, 2015

    The bidding is open as a cast of culinary heavyweights have created special chocolates to auction for Galvin’s Chance.

    Chocs4Chance goodies

    In the divinely louche surroundings of Galvin at Windows restaurant, perched above London, with breathtaking views on all sides, a culinary dream team are getting serious. When the likes of Chris Galvin, Jose Pizarro, Paul A Young, Eric Lanlard, Duck & Waffle and The Hand & Flowers are gathered together I start to get very excited. When they are all directing their energies, along with another sixty odd top UK chefs, towards making chocolates, you...

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  • Alain Ducasse – Le Chocolat-Manufacture

    January 13, 2015

    In the heart of Paris a culinary giant is taking full control of his chocolate with bean to bar production.

    Doorway

    Entering into Le Chocolat-Manufacture de Alain Ducasse is to enter into a very special world indeed. A bean to bar chocolate maker in central Paris, where sacks of beans, their roasting, winnowing, conch, tempering and subsequent creation into a sublime range of bars, pralines and filled chocolates, is all on site. It is topped off by a boutique where the public can come and buy. Alain Ducasse’s many restaurants are supplied, as are the chocolates...

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  • My Top Ten for 2014

    December 30, 2014

    What floated my boat in 2014? Some old, some new, all delicious!

    Chocolate Dessert, Graham Garrett

    Happy New Year all! I hope you have nice plans for tomorrow night. And that 2015 starts off with a bang and lots of promise. As per usual, I wanted to bring you a brief glance back at the year with some top picks from the last 12 months of chocolate eating. There are wonderful things afoot in 2015, and I hope to share many of them with you. Chocolate makers worldwide to tell you about....

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  • The Chocolate Festival – Christmas 2014

    December 16, 2014

    It was a very indulgent and special weekend at The Business Design Centre in London's Islington.

    Beautiful baubles from Rococo.

    If you missed The Chocolate Festival, you missed out! The Business Design Centre in Islington played host to a mighty fine selection of chocolate makers, chocolatiers, hot chocolate specialists, patissiers and the like. A wondrously indulgent day out in the run up to Christmas. It's a great place to shop for Christmas. So, I hope you enjoyed it too, and if you didn't make it, note to self for next time! Here's why: [caption id="attachment_2577" align="alignnone" width="506"] Paul...

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  • Christmas Shopping – My 2014 favourites.

    December 2, 2014

    A little guidance, or temptation, as to what chocolate to go for this advent.

    Rabot Wreath

    So, advent has begun, excitement is reaching a pitch. And if you are in charge of present buying you will be scratching your head more than usual. I've said it before, chocolate is the perfect gift! Everyone loves it, and it doesn't have to be worn, dragged out of the sideboard and put on display, read, or any of those other pesky things that unwanted presents end up forcing on you before the next time that...

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  • A visit to La Maison du Chocolat & Head Chef Nicolas Cloiseau.

    November 18, 2014

    As I look towards Christmas I will start with that classy French act who bring us an annual masterclass in festive chocolate.

    La Maison du Chocolat Paris

    La Maison du Chocolat sets a global standard for excellent fine chocolates. Since 1977, when Robert Linxe opened the first Paris shop, there has been attention to detail and a real love of fine chocolate at the core. They now have a worldwide presence, with shops across France, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. I was not without nerves when I prepared for my day at their atelier...

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  • Salon du Chocolat Paris 2014

    November 4, 2014

    In it's 20th year, the Salon du Chocolat Paris is as spectacular and delicious as ever!

    Pumpkins, Patrick Roger

    I love Paris in the springtime I love Paris in the fall......... Well, especially in the fall, as now is Salon time, and even though I have been going annually for more years than I can put my finger on, I wouldn't miss it for the world. The Porte de Versailles exhibition halls were once again filled with the great, the good, and the glorious, in the world of chocolate. My sense of anticipation was considerable as soon...

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  • Chocolate Week 2014

    October 21, 2014

    As chocolate fever took over the nation, I was in my element.

    The Chocolate Show, London 2014

    If you are in the chocolate industry, it would be fair to say that every week is chocolate week. But from 13th - 19th October chocolate makers, chocolatiers, chefs and the industry media got together to celebrate with the public and bring them an extra dose of their sweet magic. Events, chocolate inspired menus and product launches delighted chocoholics up and down the country, culminating in The Chocolate Show at London's Olympia at the weekend. [caption...

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Cat Black

Cat BlackI am a food writer, with special interest in, and huge enthusiasm for, chocolate! This blog is where I get to tell you about all the wonderful tastes, events, and people I come across in the world of chocolate.

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