The UK celebrates its first
Chocolate Fair with a bathtub filled with ganache and chocolate flavoured
couture
This weekend is the opening of the
UK’s first chocolate fair hosted by Olympia and ran by the great Salon du
Chocolate.
With a legacy of 18 years behind
them, Sylvie Douce and François Jeantet (founders of Salon du
Chocolat) have celebrated their love of
chocolate worldwide and finally
brought it to London collaborating with over 80 UK participants in creating a
splendidly delightful event.
Tonight was the Gala evening,
which included master chocolatier Marc Demarquette filling up a bathtub with
chocolate ganache and a model receiving a chocolate spa treatment.
There was also a grand fashion
show by designers and chocolatiers, which included Lindt Excellence joining
forces with artist Paul Wayne Gregory to create a classical dress “Eternal
Diamond” by Graduate Fashion Show Week 2013 winner, Lauren Smith.
The dress of the night, however,
was Les Sucreries de Mélodie’s that was sensual through its presentation of
delicately crafted cupcakes and macaroons.
Gillian Kiamil, halls director of
Olympia said, “We hope to not only welcome chocolatiers from our home
country but also introduce the international industry to our beautiful venue.”
From the 18th to
the 20th, there will be tasting rooms, kids workshops,
demonstrations by the best pastry chefs and interactive cooking classes.
Celebrity talks and demonstrations are chaired by the likes of John Waite from
the Great British Bake Off, master chocolatier, Eric Landlard, Hideko Kawa, executive
pastry chef from the fat duck and many other significant chocolate
connoisseurs.
Kate Johns, PR director of Nudge PR,
who manages all of the UK’s Chocolate week states that Salon du Chocolate in
Paris, “…is a huge inspiration because it is so big, so many exhibitors, and
everyone in Paris are passionate. We’ve worked closely with everyone in Paris
to create this…but, we have got our own British quirkiness and creativity
here.”
Salon Du Chocolate comes towards
the end of the UK’s Chocolate week, which has included over 350 events
involving theatre productions in York, Mayfair chocolate tours, Thornton
afternoon teas and many more.
