Chocolate Showpiece, Chocolate Tempering, and Foodie Night at William Dean Chocolate

Last Thursday, William Dean Chocolates hosted yet another amazing event fit for foodies. It included a chocolate showpiece presentation, a chocolate tempering demonstration, and (of course) a lot of savory and sweet treats! You really can’t go wrong with that combination…

As guests entered the kitchen, their eyes were met with tables piled with beautifully plated bites.

There was a beautiful meat and cheese spread, as well as a five spice butternut squash terrine with a fig and mint ganache, balsamic cherries, and a white chocolate cream. Talk about a good start to an evening…

There was a beautiful mango and strawberry mascarpone soup, topped with a fried basil leaf. In addition: a carrot and orange gelee with honey pine nuts, white chocolate cream, a dried carrot slice, and a basil emulsion.

Attendees were also treated to some cocoa dusted Ahi tuna with roasted root vegetables, as well as pan seared scallops with a chili orange sauce, Grand Marnier gastrique, and a pepper shard…prepared before their eyes. Is there any better way?

On the sweet side of things, there were dried figs stuffed with a port/fig ganache, then dipped in milk and dark chocolate. Hold me. These were so simple and rustic to look at, but the flavors and texture were out of this world. Hands down one of my favorite bites of the evening!

Of course, there was also a selection of amazing bite size tarts to sample. My personal favorite: salted caramel with chocolate ganache and fresh whipped cream. Drool.

As food was nibbled and conversation flowed, some spectacular presentations were also underway. Have you ever learned about the process of tempering chocolate? Chef Tim gave the event-goers a demonstration on the technique. If it involves a blow torch, it’s got to be a good time!

Part of the tempering demonstration included making some items with the chocolate, of course! Bill and Tim created a number of adorable chocolate pieces, including a sneak peek of some chocolate Easter eggs and some chocolate CDs with adorable animal transfers on top.

Last but not least: the show pieces! We watched as two towering show pieces of chocolate were expertly constructed.

Flower petals were pressed and painted, then attached with care to these beautiful edible structures. The colors, the textures: they were all incredible…definitely pieces of art to behold! If you happen to live in the Clearwater/Tampa area, you can get a look at them for yourselves if you stop by William Dean Chocolates‘ shop in Belleair Bluffs: they’re on display now!