When you get invited on a chocolate-making workshop, you don’t say no. Not even when it’s January, you have New Years Resolutions to stick to, and you really should be rolling out your yoga mat. So when my friend invited me last minute to her friend’s chocolate shop for freebies and learning (although I was mainly going for the freebies) I headed straight over.
Located on at the expensive end of the rue de Rivoli, and with a younger and hipper Marais location, Edwart Chocolatier is a luxury but modern chocolatier in Paris, opened by Edwin and Arthur just 18 months ago. I had passed by both but never been in, luxury chocolate being a bit out of my budget normally, so luckily for me the chocolate course gave me a chance to try them, and chocolate maker Edwin plenty of time to tell me more about them.
Using organic ingredients sourced from exotic locations, Edwart’s collection of chocolate is both classic and inventive. With traditional flavours such as caramel and Madagascan vanilla, Edwart have also added their own unique creations such as thyme and honey, Japanese whiskey, and the Indian-inspired Taj Mahal which although sounded a little too unusual, surprisingly was one of my favourites.
In addition to the stylishly packaged boxes of chocolate, Edwin and Arthur have also added to their range jars of praline, hazelnut chocolate, and a Madagascan vanilla caramel better than any salted version I’ve ever tried. Starting at 6€, they’re also a more affordable indulgence. My other discovery whilst I was there is to never even think again about queueing with the tourists at Angelina’s for their overpriced hot chocolate, Edwart sell their own outside the rue de Rivoli store and its incredible, only 4€, and the boys serving it are cuter.
After working my way through most of the collection, it was then time for the real reason we were there – the chocolate-making course. We headed downstairs to Edwart’s workshop where we were introduced to Florian, who was to take us through the atelier, thankfully in English. Our chocolate shells had already been prepared for us, so all was left for us to do was make first a praline and then a ganache to fill them.
Although the praline was fairly simple, the ganache was more technical than we thought it would be, but lots of fun as we folded and swirled it across the table to get the desired ‘elastic’ texture. We then had to ‘seal’ our shells with more chocolate, before popping them in the fridge for a few minutes to set. And not only did we get to take them all home, we were also given Edwart’s fancy boxes to present them in, which made my efforts look so professional I even gave a box away to a friend later that week.
Ranging in price depending on which workshop you do, the cheapest atelier is around 25€, it’s a great original gift for someone if you’re stuck for ideas or just a little treat for yourself. You can also book a private session tailored to your needs and have a Bake-Off afternoon with a group of friends. We had a lot of fun, not only making chocolate but also chatting to the Edwart team, and of course you go home with a generous amount of very delicious chocolates for your money. The sessions are in both French and English – so you can test yourself but then not have to worry if you don’t understand – and also German and Japanese on request! They even do workshops just for kids if you’re stuck for something to do on a rainy day or during the upcoming holidays.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day Edwart’s are running an offer at their rue de Rivoli store this weekend. Spend €22 or more and you will receive a free cup of their amazing hot chocolate. So buy a gift for your lover and walk away with a tasty treat for yourself!
To order online: http://edwart.fr
For more info on the courses: http://edwart.fr/14-ateliers-collectifs
All photos belong to Edwart Chocolatier Paris
Words by: Nicola Leigh Stewart
http://nicolaleighstewart.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @nicolalstewart
