All About Fine Chocolate by Cat Black

  • The Best of Italy – Marco Vacchieri

    July 1, 2014

    A day of absolute indulgence with one of Italy's preeminent pastry and chocolate stars.

    Marco Vacchieri and his gelato.

    Some pastry chefs excel at one thing, maybe two if their stars are aligned, that is something of the nature of a specialist. Marco Vacchieri is a master of many. My visit to his shop in Torino was probably the most indulgent moment in a week of indulgent moments. I say moment, but I really mean few hours, as there was no way to do justice to tasting all he has to offer unless I...

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  • Stephen Harris at The Sportsman

    June 17, 2014

    A lunch to remember.

    The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent

    Forgive me, there is VERY little chocolate in today’s post, all but none. I want to write about a meal, a culinary masterpiece, and hope that you will all give me license to go off piste from time to time. I am assuming that my readers, like me, will be excited and interested in food other than chocolate, at least occasionally. And I am very privileged, as a food writer, to be meeting and working...

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  • Mott Green – One year anniversary.

    June 3, 2014

    A year after the tragic loss of Mott Green I wanted to revisit his words and his wonderful chocolate.

    Grenada Chocolate Company Bars

    It is a year since the untimely death of Mott Green, founder of The Grenada Chocolate Company, visionary chocolate maker, inventor, creator and indomitable and inspiring example to us all. He has been much missed. This evening I will be at The Academy of Chocolate, attending an event in his memory. His dear friends and partners in chocolate adventure Chantal Coady and James Booth will be present to guide us in remembering an exceptional man, and...

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  • Paul A Young’s collaboration with Churchill’s Port.

    May 20, 2014

    Port and chocolate maestros came together for an evening of indulgent tastes.

    Paul A Young and Churchills Port.

    Last thursday evening saw the introduction to a new partnership between Paul A Young Fine Chocolates and Churchill's Port. It was held at Churchill's Port House in London's Greek Street, a pop up venue whose purpose is to introduce London to the range of Churchill's Port, by the glass or as tasting flights, in an informal setting with carefully paired tapas available alongside. What Churchill's have done with Paul is create an additional tasting flight...

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  • The Chocolate Festival – Easter 2014

    April 22, 2014

    It was an exciting start to a new era for The Chocolate Festival.

    Rococo Easter choc and bunny.jpg

    This year The Chocolate Festival has moved indoors, so it was to Islington's Business Design Centre that I went to see the newest incarnation of Yael Rose's London festival. Since 2009 Yael has been championing fine chocolate in the UK, and her festivals have grown to be must-visit events. There are now four; in London, Oxford, Brighton and Bristol, with the London event taking place both for Easter and Christmas. To learn more about Yael and...

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  • Chococo, The Purbeck Chocolate Company

    April 8, 2014

    Ahead of Easter chocolate buying I've chosen to feature one of my absolute favourite home grown talents.

    Chococo whole eggs

    I have been wanting to write something about Chococo, the artisan chocolatier founded and run by Claire and Andy Burnet, for a while. Their chocolates consistently tempt and please me, and their seasonal shapes and gifts are always absolutely delightful. From their home base in Dorset they run a business so rich in ideas, of such high quality, and with such passion, that it is a delicious example of the kind of chocolate company I...

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  • Michelin Starred Chocolate – Graham Garrett at The West House.

    March 25, 2014

    One of my occasional series on the stellar chocolate emerging from Michelin-starred kitchens.

    Chocolate Dessert, Graham Garrett

    The glory of chocolate, apart from the obvious seductive and infinite variation of tastes, is how much can be done with it. I can and will play the ultimate chocolate nerd, in rapturous analysis over the true-to-bean purity of the unadorned dark bar. But equally I love all that chocolatiers are doing, marrying this richly complex ingredient with other flavours and textures. Take this one step further, bring in the patissier, and the potential number...

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  • Masters of French Chocolate – Jean Paul Hévin

    March 11, 2014

    Just in case you were thinking I had wholly lost my heart to Italy I will prove my chocolate promiscuity here with a report on one of the best in Paris.

    Jean Paul Hevin book

    In the smart environs of the boulevards of the first arrondissement, nestled alongside the smartest of Parisian boutiques, is the chicer than chic Rue St Honoré boutique of Jean Paul Hévin. It is a shrine to fine French chocolate, and there is a constant stream of the elegant and the in-the-know popping in for their cacao fix. [caption id="attachment_1937" align="alignnone" width="506"] The boutique front on the Rue St Honore.[/caption] There are bonbons, ganaches and pralines to satisfy...

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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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