Chocolate Tasting and Demonstration

Who: Kevin G. Buck of Chocolate Necessities, a 23-year artisan chocolatier
Where: Cordata Community Food Co-Op, 315 Westerly Rd (corner of Cordata Pkwy roundabout), Bellingham
When: Friday, December 11, 7 p.m.

What: Kevin will pull the screen back on how the chocolate-making world works, how ingredients work together to make either average (or worse) chocolate, or high quality chocolate. One of his favorite lines is, "Sugar is the worst enemy of chocolate." Each participant in this educational program will TASTE the difference, not just hear about it.

In Kevin's words: "We will examine, from the viewpoint of ingredients, how to define and achieve quality in chocolate creations. And we'll taste how great chocolate should taste, from the best sources around the world." You'll experience some of the history-making chocolate products from European giants like Callebaut and Belcolade, both from Belgium, ranging to the exquisite 44% milk chocolate of Vanuatu, a tiny nation in the Fiji Islands chain. Also learn about a breakthrough conching process that retains more antioxidant elements in dark chocolate, Oxanti by Belcolade.

In addition to the fabulous wide range of tastes, you'll enjoy a discourse on proper tempering of chocolate – so important as you make yours at home. And finally, Kevin will walk you through a simple truffle recipe, create one of his gourmet genaches, and you will cap off the evening by sampling the texture and taste of that genache.

Oh, and the 5th 'W':
Why? Because we all deserve to pamper ourselves now and again, especially during this mouth-watering holiday season....

Call now, (360) 734.8158 to make a reservation. Fee: $10 Member/$13 Non-Member. Space is limited.