Chocolate – you either love it or hate it and let’s face it, almost everyone, everywhere loves it.
The French are particularly good at loving chocolate – in fact surveys in France about deserts and all things sweet show that chocolate and chocolate flavoured desserts come out a winner every time.
Marry that love of chocolate with French expertise and – if anyone has panache for ganache – it’s the French.
The chocolate producers of France are rightly famous for their skills and the chocolate shops of France for their amazing range of delicious goodies. There is something deeply satisfying about entering a beautiful chocolate shop with the slabs of chocolate laid out as if in a jewel case, a little hammer nearby ready to break off chunks.
It is of course only fitting therefore that chocolate should have its own festival and the Salon du Chocolat holds events dedicated to this most delicious of sweet things all over France.
Every Spring, the Salon du Chocolat holds a chocolate event in the town of Lille in the region of Nord Pas de Calais. Three days of chocolate madness as dozens of exhibitors, the best of the best in the world of chocolate, offer a taste of the finest chocolate in the world in this 6000 m² exhibition space.
What’s on at the Salon du Chocolat Lille
There are food demonstrations involving… chocolate of course, from great pastry chefs and chocolatiers macaron makers, beautifully crystallised fruit, chocolate wasabi, figs, dates and all sorts of amazing confectionary.
The Choco Demo space hosts the greatest chocolatiers, chefs and pastry chefs who follow one another to present never-before-seen chocolate recipes. Step-by-step recipes, chefs’ tips and techniques are unveiled during live demonstrations that include tastings.
Visitors have the opportunity to discover a surprising pairing between “Wine and Chocolate” and “Beer and Chocolate” during Master Classes run by renowned experts.
Pastry Courses – L’Atelier des Chefs offer cooking and pastry courses on its stand.
The famous chocolate fashion show will take place daily – outfits which are made from chocolate that make the crowds gasp at the sheer talent and expertise that goes into creating these amazing ensembles.
The children won’t be forgotten – there’s a kids area called Chocoland, an opportunity for children to become a real chef, complete with chef’s hat and apron. The purpose is to encourage children to look differently at chocolate and pastry, to create their own decorations and to invent highly personal works, before devouring them!
Don’t forget to sign up for the demos, masterclasses and Chocoland when you arrive – seats are limited for each session and you won’t want to miss out.
Full details and to find out where else the chocolate exhibitions are due to take place in France and around the world check the Salon du Chocolat website: www.salon-du-chocolat.com
