Good Food Blog
The Oscars of chocolate
Posted at 11:14AM, 30 January 2008 by Jenni Muir - food writerThursday (24 January) saw the final round of judging for the Academy of Chocolate's annual awards at the Arts Club in Dover Street, Mayfair. Quite seriously, for this event a large group of professional foodies gather in a room, sit down and eat plate after plate of fine chocolate. It's relentless, it's hard going, it's probably very unhealthy, but as my husband constantly reminds me, it's not like a proper job.
Some of the judges wimped out after just three hours - pah! I made it to four, but even this was namby-pamby compared to some of my colleagues. Those heavily involved in the Academy loyally stayed longer of course and (actually the thought of it makes my head spin) turned up to judge two days in a row, dutifully weeding out the lesser contenders so that chocolate fly-by-nights such as myself only had to pick the best of the best. Two people on the double-shift sitting near me admitted feeling decidedly ticky the night before, though one was bravely soldiering on to a green tea tasting straight after the chocolate competition.
Think you suffer from chocolate cravings? Try judging chocolate with the pros. It's guaranteed to instil a new appreciation of lettuce and cabbage. I suspect Vietnamese food would be a very good thing to have afterwards, as a light, savoury antidote to the excess of fat and cocoa - as it was I had low-fat dal and brown basmati rice (and went easy on the mango chutney).
Journalist Fiona Sims, a wine expert and restaurant industry insider who was in our group, revealed she'd opted for lunch at a Japanese restaurant to prepare herself for the judging, and that she favours scrambled eggs before wine tasting (I think they're rather good for hangovers too).
The results will apparently be revealed on February 12th - perhaps a bit late for people to make Valentine's purchases based on them. If you're starting to wonder what you might buy for the big day, last year's winner of the Best British Chocolatier prize, William Curley is an excellent choice and has a new mail order service. Paul A Young has a wonderfully romantic style - I love his white chocolate pave with rose masala - and sells some of London's best brownies. L'Artisan du Chocolat produce exquisite chocolates, fabulous salted caramels and memorable seasonal gifts - it's worth taking a look at their chocolate pearls.
For something a little cheaper but still stylish, James' Chocolates come in fun but well-balanced flavour combinations - I've used them as hostess gifts many times and we were delighted with the chocolate ginger discs we bought there as Christmas gifts for friends.
Safe to say I won't be getting, or giving, chocolates for Valentine's Day - a bit of a busman's holiday round our way. Hopefully though I won't be receiving a beribboned savoy cabbage either.
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