Nestled among the Christmas markets and party revellers on the South Bank this weekend, the Chocolate Festival will be providing some pre-Christmas indulgence on a grand scale. Some of the best chocolatiers from around the country will be hosting tastings, demonstrations and more as stalls sell hot chocolate, truffles, caramels and all things cacao.We were lucky enough to be invited along to a pre-festival glimpse at some of the leading chocolatier’s brand new takes on the humble bean at a South Bank reception. Master chocolatier and former pastry chef Damian Allsop introduced his new Pure collection of water-based ganaches. Free from milk or cream, the resulting rich ganaches are a solid shot of chocolate with no distractions – ‘the chocolate equivalent of expresso vs cappucino,’ Damian explained.
Mark Demarquette also shared some of his NutKeeper’s Caramel – a new collection of caramel-flavoured pralines blended with pistachio paste - and spoke about building Vietnamese chocolate into a three star gold award-winning brand. Meanwhile Paul Wayne Gregory passed around a ludicrously rich and tangy passionfuit bonbon from his Pure Indulgence range. “We don’t believe in half-fat chocolates,” he laughed.
Over this weekend chocolate stalls along the South Bank will be groaning with all things sweet. Visitors can also enjoy tasting and demonstrations on such diverse topics as sustainable ingredients from bean to bonbon, the health benefits of chocolate, a visit from the Cadbury family and the surely unmissable demonstration of preparing braised rabbit in chocolate.
For more information visit www.festivalchocolate.co.uk
