On the evening of Friday 7th June, a group of Biology students, along with Mrs Warden, Mrs Heywood, Mrs Williamson and Mr Williams, attended a workshop on chocolate given by Zara Narracott. The workshop focussed on some of the techniques that an artisan chocolatier uses and covered aspects of the science behind chocolate making, as well as other chocolate related knowledge such as tasting techniques and the historical background of this much loved luxury.
Zara is the owner of a local independent chocolate company which sells her handmade chocolates and other confectionery online. While enlightening us on the techniques she uses, she gave us many delicious chocolate samples to enjoy, helping bring the subject alive. The chocolates that she gave out included orange and chili milk chocolate, salted caramel truffles, lavender and mint dark chocolate and also blue cheese dark chocolate truffles that she has created recently after being inspired by the technique of flavour pairing from the discipline of molecular gastronomy.
Both the students and the teachers enjoyed their sweet treats, as well as Zara’s lovely presentation. After much fingerlicking and chocolatenibbling, the night ended on a very positive note, reminding us that that (dark) chocolate gives you many good chemicals including endorphins that make you feel happy, and
antioxidants and theobromine which may make your teeth stronger unlike most other confectionery!
