Mmmm! Do you love Belgian chocolates like we love Belgian chocolates? If so, Judith Schrut urges you to check out Pierre Marcolini’s yummy winter collection.
Celebrated Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini’s passion for sweet treats dates back to his childhood when, so the story goes, he would happily exchange toys with his brother for an extra portion of dessert.
Every year Monsieur Marcolini travels the world in search of the rarest and finest cocoa beans for use in his latest line of Grand Cru chocolates, the champagne of the artisan chocolate world. He buys beans direct from independent growers then roasts the beans himself. These are then used, along with carefully sourced ingredients such as Madagascan vanilla, Piedmont hazelnuts, Sicilian lemons and a particular Slovenian almond, to create unique, gorgeous and award-winning ganaches, pralines, truffles, macaroons and other handmade delectables.
With this in mind I went along for a tasty preview of PM’s winter showcase, including a first look at the limited edition Pierre Marcolini x Victoria Beckham Collection.
During the event I met– and spoke pathetic high school French– with the gracious man himself. I also had a chance to chat with the lovely, humble Laurent and Joachim, for many years PM’s chef de savoir and sous chef, respectively. Here they are, busy creating four-piece taster nests for preview guests using selections from Maison Pierre Marcolini’s upcoming winter collection.
Each miniature confection was a work of art: pure milk chocolate bonbons with cinnamon filling, fluffy little cheesecakes, chilled cherry-raspberry compote and, last but not least, passionfruit and rose mousse topped with a teeny-weeny, dark chocolate PM signature coin. C’est magnifique!
Pierre Marcolini, 37 Marylebone High Street W1U 4QE. Pierre Marcolini delicacies are also available at Selfridges, Harrods and online at eu.marcolini.com.
