Chocolate Week 2011: Chocolate Unwrapped

Chocolate Week ended with one of the most looked forward event: Chocolate Unwrapped. 

With producers and exhibitors coming from all over the world, if you're a self-confessed chocoholic or even just mildly so, you probably had this marked in your calendar and counting down the days, I know my friend did. After attending in 2010, she has been talking about it quite regularly throughout the year. 

So this year, I looked forward and prepared myself for loads of chocolate tastings and experiences. Chocolate Unwrapped did not disappoint. I left feeling overloaded with chocolate in both my tummy and shopping alike. Here are some highlights on the day I went. 

The Chocolatier

A sign greets you that says no cream, eggs, butter or gelatine used. None of those in a chocolate? I had to check out the stall and owner Aneesh Popat was there. Aneesh started this business about four months ago and looking at the wide array of flavours available, it was quite impressive. I got a taste test and clean and sharp came to mind.  

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Chocolate Week 2011: Pod to Providores Dinner

A chocolate dinner and wine pairing, it certainly seems decadent indeed. I still said yes and found myself going  on a Friday night to the Providores & Tapa Room. 

Up the narrow stairs I found myself walking where there was a queue for the services of the coat room. Free of Bags and coats, it was a sharp twist of the body to turn and walk into the dining area. The whole experience was really unique and Paul Young and Peter Gordon took time to explain each pairing while also taking turns to sit at the different tables and talk to the diners. They were all friendly and I had a great time chatting and learning about their views and experiences.

The dinner itself brought about some eye openers with some dishes working and some that were less successful. All your senses were engaged with the variety of smell, taste, textures and colours. As lighting was pretty dim, these were as best that I could do with taking pictures and just a brief description of each dish.

Cocoa Bean Aperitif

The cocoa bean aperitif consists of Sipsmiths vodka which had cocoa nibs soaked in them for 90 days and turned daily. Sipping on the vodka, the taste and perfume of the cocoa was evident. It felt rich and earthy without the taste being so.

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William Curley: A delectable Dessert Menu that you don't say no to!

After eating some fantastic William Curley creations at an afternoon tea, a date was set to head to his actual store. As sick as I was, I dragged myself to the Belgravia store as his creations was too delicious to cancel.

I am in love the moment I walked in. Check out all the delicious goodies!

I am so eye-ing the Chocolate & Sea-salted Caramel Tart. The last time I had the sea salt caramel truffles from him, I was hooked!

As much as I was ooh-ing and aah-ing at the delectable creations displayed, I was determined not to steer away from the Set Menu that I came here for.

The two ladies ordered the Dessert Set Menu £15 while the lonely man in the group headed for the Brunch menu. Go figure!

Man ordered the Traditional Scotch Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce and Vanilla Yoghurt £7.50

This was Yum!

First Course: Chocolate and Juniper Berry

Semi- bitter chocolate that had a texture that was in between creamy and airy like a mousse. I love it eating with the crunch of the nuts.

Second Course: Lemon Meringue Pie

You can really taste the sharpness and flavour of the lemon in the pie. The tiny cones of meringue lightens the lemon sharpness and the sprinkling of sesame helps to accentuate and add depth. I am loving this even more.

Third Course: Madagascan Vanilla Panna Cotta with Mulled Red Wine Fruits

A touch of festive holidays with the mulled red wine pear and figs coupled with the Panna Cotta. I don’t know what to say except this is freaking good!

Fourth Course: Soft Amedei Chocolate Financier with a Mango Compote, Passion Fruit Curd and Orange Yoghurt Ice Cream

This is not my favourite but only because I am not really a huge fan of passion fruit but I have to say that the passion fruit is really light and I was still happily eating this.

The finale of the Desert Menu was some Petit Fours

I didn’t manage to remember all the different flavours but there was definitely Assam, Praline, Apricot and Wasabi and Toasted Sesame. I really like the Apricot and Wasabi.

The lady serving us was so nice and we started chatting. She came back and gave us another three to try, bless her!

Flavours: Japanese Sake, Champagne, Yuzu

My favourite from this was the Japanese Sake.

By this stage I was sooo glad I dragged my down-with-flu and fever self here as this is soo worth it! If you find yourself needing a chocolate fix, the Dessert Set Menu is totally worth it!

I am coming back, am too stuffed this time but I still have my eyes on the Chocolate & Sea-salted caramel tart.

William Curley, 98 Ebury Street, London, SW1W 8

www.williamcurley.co.uk

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