My Chocolate Adventures in Paris

Chocolate and Jazz Collaboration – Turns into top Selling Truffle

2010-07-05T14:22:00.001-05:00

Jazz artist will collaborate with other artists to create a unique sound, a jam session or to make a new CD. But what happens when you take a renowned jazz artist, Corey Wilkes and a chocolatier, Robyn Rice-Foster, both from Chicago - - together they make a smooth, creamy and decadent dark chocolate ganache infused with Gentlemen Jack.

While listening to the Hyde Park Jazz Festival ’08 CD, the first track on the CD was by jazz artist: “Corey Wilkes/Sonata in the Key of Jack Daniels”, the smooth sounds from the horn section and being a Jack Daniel connoisseur myself, I decided to infuse dark chocolate ganache with Gentlemen Jack, doubled enrobed in dark chocolate and crushed pecans to bring this full smooth and creamy dark chocolate ganache to make a bold and sensual chocolate truffle.

Therefore, It was befitting on the opening night of the Summer Breeze Jazz Series, sponsored by Eve Bridgeforth – Events by Eve” at Red Kiva, to present Mr. Wilkes with box of my top selling truffles of 2009 -2010 for women, aunts, grandmothers and a few men with one of our boxes filled with “Whiskey Pecan” and Southern Sweet Potato Pie Truffle – Winner of the 2009 World of Chocolate / Chocolate Bliss Competition.

I am waiting for the new CD to drop for another, sensual truffle to be created and influenced by the smooth jazz of Corey Wilkes. Stay tuned

"Yes, I definitely enjoyed and shared (a few, lol) my chocolates...I can't get over your recipes, simply amazing!! See you soon...take care!" Corey Wilkes

Ladurée

2010-06-23T02:08:00.000-05:00

On my first trip to Paris, I was in search of the oldest chocolatier shop in all of Paris and I found the most unique shop on the Champs-Élysées - Ladurée. Ladurée has been in business since 1862.

Ladurée makes luxury cakes and pastries and is known as the inventor of the double-decker macaron. Often duplicated in other pastry shops both here and in France, but none comes to the the original of Ladurée. Over 15,000 of these are sold each day. They are too die for, and ooh so good. When I go there, I usually purchase 2 boxes, one to eat while there and one to bring home. However, it is so hard to bring home the second box normally they are both eaten before I leave my beloved Paris. Pierre Herme also makes a macaron, but I guess I am macaron snub. I like them both but my heart belongs to Ladurée! LOL

What I like about Ladurée, not only can you buy your macarons, they have a beautiful resaturant that transforms you back to an different era and time, the food is fantastic, maybe a little pricey but worth every minute of it. Especially when in the spring and summer sitting outdoors and people watching. The interior and exterior facade is painted in celadon green. On the inside the ceilings are painted with chubby cherubs dressed as pastry cooks which is the company's emblem. Their shopping bags and boxes are so esquite, I still have my first shopping bag and box. I kept them both as a keepsake of the good times I had in Paris on my chocolate adventure. On each trip, I look forward to returning and trying to new macaraon flavors.

So I guess you are wondering what is a macaraon? A macaraon is two bisucuit like almond cookies with chocolate ganache or fruit fillings in the center, sort of like the American institution the Oreo Cookie but 1000 times better LOL. Queen Catherine de'Medici first brought the macaron to France from Italy in the 16th century and it has been a stable pastry since then. Ladurée has become so popular and famous that they have opened up other stores around the world. Their cookies are so decadent that they were featured in the
Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette in the scene between Marie-Antoinette and Ambassador Mercy.

However, in recent months McDonald's has started selling the French macaron. I have not tried one as of yet, but I will try one on my next visit after I stop by Ladurée to purchase my 2 dozen; but I guess I am a macaron snub, how you have such a delicate pastry next to Le Big Mac and les pommes de frites - I just shutter thinking about it. A blogger friend called a chocolate purist and s snob for preferring Ladurée over any other macraon in all of France. If anyone has traveled to Paris recently let me know if yo have tried the new McDonald sensation and give me your comments.

But I guess like anything else, someone would eventually make a more inexpensive macaraon than Ladurée and Pierre Herme. I just hope if this new pastry comes to the McDonald's in the US they do not bastardize it and have it displayed on the counter tops.

In my opinion the macaraon is sacred territory and does not belong next to meat and potatoes - LOL. So call me a purist and a snub but it whens to the original and best French macaraon - Ladurée is hands down the best there is!

Chambord Castle

2010-04-03T15:22:00.012-05:00

One of my favorite places south of Paris is the Loire Valley, not only for the wines, country cuisine but the for the beautiful castles i the area. My favorite castle of all of the castles in Loire Valley is Chambord Castle. Chambord is the largest castle in the Loire Valley, but was primarily built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francois I. The castle was never actually completed and had several owners throughout France's history on of them of which has Comte de Chambord. The castle was constructed by King Francois I in part to be near his mistress the Comtesse de Thoury, Claude Rohan, wife of Julien de Clemont, a member of a very important family in France. it is not uncommon in French history that royals built elaborate castles to be closed to their mistresses and in some cases they actually built castles for their mistresses!

The castle has approximately 450 rooms and at least 356 fireplaces. I made it mission to visit every room even those rooms which had been closed to the general public due to safety reasons. I actually climbed on to the ledge of the castle to take photos. On the grounds is a fantastic restaurant and souvenir shop. Of course, I purchased several bottles of Chambord and sampled food made with Chambord. After running around the castle and visiting the stables I tried to image what it was like to stay at Chambord during the days of Francois I, Napoleon, Louis XIV, Louis XV and Comte de Chambord. It took us at least 4 hours or more to travel to the Loire Valley by car from Paris, my day started at 7:00 AM. But these noble gentlemen would travel for days and weeks to make this journey to this fabulous castle. The hunting trips would have an average of at least 1000 or more people, i.e. servants, hunting equipment, horses, dogs, wine, water and extra food and of course the occasional ladies in waiting would join them as well. One floor of the castle was dedicated to the dogs to run freely ;-), on some trips it was believed there was upwards to 500 dogs or more.

The next time you are in Paris, visit the castles of the Loire Valley: Chambord, Chenonceau and Cheverny commonly called the 3-Cs of the Loire Valley. Of all the castles, I visited in the Loire Valley, Chambord to me is the most beautiful for its architecture, history, and the awesome views. PS King Louis XIV and XV loved to party there pictures of them in every castle I visited apparently they were frequent dinner guest - LOL such party animals. I have added a few of my photos taken at Chambord, for your viewing pleasure - enjoy!

Until next time, remember "Any Day is a Perfect Day for Chocolate!"

a plus tard!

Robyn