Master Chef Shares New Chocolate Techniques

Aalst has a full range of chocolates that is suitable for different recipes.

Chocolate is one of the most popular desserts internationally, served in every café, restaurants or hotels. Not only is chocolate used in desserts, it can also be crafted to be a centerpiece to entice. Chefs can now learn how to master this immensely intricate yet delicious art with Aalst Chocolate Pte Ltd. (ACPL)

ACPL with the support of Singapore Pastry Alliance (SCA) and the Singapore Pastry Association (SPA) will be co-hosting a series of workshop for chefs to adopt new techniques in chocolate art and craft- to produce sophisticated masterpieces. The session is meant to introduce new innovative techniques to chefs so that they can be inspired to craft more innovative and creative quality chocolate products.

“ACPL is delighted to work together with SCA & SPA, premium institutions that focus on innovation and providing high-quality service. Singapore is an important and strategic market for ACPL as it is Singapore’s first home grown chocolate plant that produces premium chocolates discerning taste for chocolate connoisseurs. The core strategy of quality and innovation has affirmed ACPL as one of the leading players in the fast paced chocolate industry," says Ms Connie Kwan, ACPL’s Chief Operating Officer.

Ms Connie Kwan, Chief Operating Officer of ACPL also opined that the inauguration of such workshop catering to chefs of SCA and SPA is a significant milestone in their relationship with the local food service industry and further initiatives will be develop to benefit and cater to their mutual discerning client base.

Starting from this October, members of SCA and SPA will periodically experience the charm and delight of ACPL’s marvelous chocolate culinary culture. The first workshop that took place on October 3, 2006 featured Master Chef Anil Rohira, a highly acclaimed chef in the United States. He brought a variety of creative and innovative techniques from home and injected it into the local context in order to serve the best chocolate craft to diners in both taste and visual aspects.

During the workshop, Chef Anil Rohira used ACPL’s new range of products specially formulated for the professionals. This professional series – Aalst Patissier is based on authentic chocolate recipe with a hint of the exotic.

Chef Anil dished out many simple yet intriguing ideas to inspire the creative minds of the participants. One of the many techniques that he shared was to use course sugar and crushed cocoa nibs to create texture to the centerpiece. He also gave some theoretical knowledge in how to keep the theme of a centerpiece simple yet standing out from the crowd.

The centerpiece that Chef Anil demonstrated was completed in two hours flat. The advent garde art piece has a sturdy curve log like spine that held two hearts and a flower in full bloom. The play of colours of red, yellow and a tint of blue enhance the overall effect which made it even more stunning.





The event ended with light refreshments of pastries and pralines made from Aalst Chocolate. This event was a great success with more than 50 chefs participants and they are enlightened with new innovative techniques. At the same time, they had a chance to tour the chocolate plant to understand the full process of chocolate manufacturing using the state of the art technology at ACPL.

About Chef Anil Rohira
Anil Rohira won 3 gold medals in the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Centerpeice Competition in New Hampshire Food Show and Washington DC. He was also a made Team USA Captain at the 2003 Coupe du Monde in Lyon, France where he won “Best Sugar Showpiece”.

About Aalst Chocolate Pte Ltd
Singapore based ACPL, is Singapore first owned chocolate manufacturing plant that uses the finest raw material from West Africa and South America. It is one of Asia Pacific's leading chocolate plant, and currently exports up to 30 countries. For more press information and product specification, please contact Aalst Chocolate or access the website at www.aalst-chocolate.com.