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For that piece of exotica!

CHOCOLATY! Patissier Chef Bernard Decaix

This one is strictly for the chocolate fans. Ever thought of preparing your chocolates all by yourselves instead of hunting for your favourite variety at a nearby shop? Sounds interesting? Then

You should have been at Choko La, an out-and-out chocolate café that has just sprung up in New Delhi, this past week. The outlet had organised an exciting chocolate appreciation workshop for those interested in making these sweet things but didn't know how.

Conducted by Chocolatier and Patissier Chef Bernard Decaix from Harrods, London, the workshop was clubbed with a five-day long Chocolate Festival showcasing some of Decaix's signature concoctions besides showcasing other preparations.The workshop provided a fascinating insight into how chocolates are made from cocoa beans. The participants also learned how to differentiate between the different types of chocolates. Decaix also conducted a special chocolate sampling exercise, which helped in identifying textures, flavours and forms of the yummy chocolates. He shared valuable tips with the participants on concocting and decorating chocolates and chocolate-based desserts. He suggested them not to put open chocolates in refrigerators and to rather preserve them in a dark room where the light cannot reach since most chocolates change colour quickly to light brown if exposed to light for too long.

"The idea behind the workshop was to provide a medium to inform people that chocolate appreciation is an art that can be acquired with practice and is essential to concoct delicious and tempting recipes," said Decaix. Keeping the interests of the health conscious in mind, he said, "Chocolate is extremely good for health as it has a lot of vitamins and can boost energy levels." Vasudha Munjal, Choco La's owner, said, "The workshop was held to inculcate among people a sense of appreciation for all types of chocolates." As far as her outlet is concerned, she said, hot chocolate drinks and warm chocolate cakes have been selling best so far. Perhaps because the summer has not set in properly in the city.

And in an attempt to tempt people to try out the outlet's other offerings, she added, "We have single origin chocolates, which differentiates us from others."

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