It might seem quite surprising that as a self-confessed chocoholic I have only posted about chocolate a couple of times since starting this blog, but I can swear it’s been a constant presence in my thoughts (& shopping bag & tummy!) all this time.
I really wanted to learn more about it from the professionals and then blog about it but I just haven’t been very lucky. For instance, I enrolled on various chocolate courses at École Migros but they were all cancelled at the last minute as the school never reached the minimum number of participants to run the courses.
However, I am still on the scent for this so here’s some of my recent findings:
- someone mentioned that the Chocolaterie Rapp in Canton Vaud holds chocolate courses as part of their École du Chocolat as well, so I hope I’ll have more luck this time.
- Stettler Chocolates in central Geneva opens its choco-lab to the public for group visits, although it’s not really a course on how to make chocolate but more of a watch & taste tour
- our local community college, École & Quartier in Versoix, has also launched some new ‘chocolate ateliers’ for children on Wednesday afternoon: Initiation sur le Chocolat. Courses at this college are very popular and reasonably priced so I remain optimistic.
What I love about chocolate shops in Geneva is that you can buy those little delights individually, as a little treat to savour as you stroll along, so I can carry on my “research” step-by-step and guilt-free while I wait to find the right chocolate course!
In the meantime, on the 24th and 25th of March I’ll be savouring some treats at the Festival du Chocolat in Versoix. This festival takes place every year and, if the weather is good, it’s a lovely day out for the whole family.
This year a marquis measuring 1,000 square meters will host the “Salon des Artisans”, where you’ll find chocolatiers from Switzerland and neighbouring France gathered to demonstrate their amazing skills and sell their delicous chocolates.
This is where the magic happens: chocolate fountains flow incessantly, new chocolate flavours can be tasted and delicious chocolate creations can be bought.
The festival will also feature a unique exhibition of chocolate sculptures, chocolate-making sessions for children, an Easter egg-hunt and free rides on the shuttle chocotrains.
Versoix is also home to one of the few independent chocolate factories still operating in Switzerland and the oldest in Canton Geneva: Chocolats Favarger. During the Chocolate Festival, they will open their doors to the public for a series of special guided tours of the working factory. Spaces are limited, so you must book in advance to ensure you won’t miss out on this unique Willy Wonka experience!
All photographs copyright by Jônia Miranda
ps. Remember you can find out more about Geneva on my facebook and Twitter pages. You can also read my articles on Voyou Magazine and Newly Swissed.
I also write in Italian for the MondoKids website. Happy reading!
