Award-winning New Forest chocolatier Kerry Witt launches festive Chocolate by Miss Witt workshops
WITH Christmas preparations soon to get under way in the New Forest, a local award-winning chocolatier is kicking off the season with a host of festive workshops.
Kerry Witt will be running various sessions from her base in Hordle throughout November and December, including advent calendar workshops and cocktail truffle-making classes.
All beautifully packaged in boxes and mini crackers, the luxury chocolates, made using the highest quality chocolate ethically produced, are sure to make the perfect gift this Christmas.
After enjoying a welcome drink and hearing a brief introduction to the course, guests will create their own truffles and learn the classic skill of tempering chocolate.
Kerry, who set up Chocolate by Miss Witt in 2012 after working as a pastry chef at the former Michelin starred Le Poussin in Brockenhurst, has also just launched her Christmas artisan collection, which includes a salted caramel range and a hazelnut praline.
“The praline is a twist on fruit and nut, because the beautiful dark chocolate casing, made from cacao grown on a small estate in Equador, has this incredible raisin bouquet,” said Kerry, who is on the judging panel for the Academy of Chocolate.
“At my workshops, what I’ve learnt is that what many people want when they bite into chocolate is that crisp, clean, snap – that’s why some keep it in the fridge, which of course you should never do.
“That’s the difference between good and bad quality chocolate – you should get that snap at room temperature.”
She continued: “What I really want to do is educate people about chocolate and all those incredible layers of tastes and textures. Real chocolate is expensive and the farmers that produce it should get the money they deserve.
“Good quality chocolate should never taste bitter. It’s like a fine wine, and once you know what you’re looking for, you can taste the various flavours – floral, almonds, sometimes coconut.
“And unlike confectionary chocolate that you get from the supermarket, my products don’t contain vegetable and palm oil.”
For those wanting to have a go at mastering the art of chocolate-making from the comfort of their own homes, Kerry is currently putting together chocolate-making kits.
Kerry, who recently won a gold Taste of the West award for her Explorer’s Gin chocolate, also runs team-building workshops for corporate clients, chocolate tasting experiences and celebration packages perfect for hen and birthday parties.
“One of my favourite parties to host is children’s pizza parties, which are a lot of fun,” she said. “The kids make their own pizza bases from melted chocolate, and then use a variety of sweet sprinkles and freeze-dried fruit for their toppings.”
To book a workshop or for more information, visit www.chocolatebymisswitt.com