I first met Gillian of Chocolate Here in summer 2010 when she came here on the first food bloggers outing to the country! Gillian brought along the most amazing cake ever! A delicious Mocha Tart.
Since last year our paths have crossed a few times.
We even stopped by Gillian’s stall at Ennis Market one day when out on deliveries, and, of course, came home laden down with some totally delicious treats.
So when Gillian was scheduled to appear at Cloughjordan House – only a stone’s throw from here – naturally I had to go along! Neighbours, Anne Marie and her daughter, Catherine, decided it sounded like a nice way to spend a Sunday morning, so then there were three of us heading off! Anne Marie and I used the fact that our birthdays are close together so we ought to have a girlie treat! 🙂
Gillian had warned me beforehand to bring Tupperware!
So laden with our Tupperware lunch boxes off we went.
I had visited Cloughjordan House years ago on a personal level, but hadn’t been since they developed the cookery school. They have a lovely set up in their kitchen. We all sat about the enormous island, while Gillian gave us a history of cocoa from Mayan times right up to Fry’s developing the first chocolate bar.
Enjoying some Aztec Hot Chocolate
We heard about (and had made for us) a delicious Aztec Hot Chocolate drink – although the Aztecs used to drink their chocolate cold!
We learned that chocolate was the preserve of the rich and how it had been used as a currency – which lead to it being dealt on the financial exchanges (a bit like pork belly really!).
We did a ‘tasting’ session. Did you know cocoa is as affected by its terroir as wine is?
Next up it was making Ganache and the range of different flavours and mixes that can be used. We started with a cappuccino mix, but there was talk of fruit flavoured, tea inspired mixes, the choices are endless it seems. The only restriction being your imagination!
Then it was time for the fun and us to get our hands dirty.
We had lots of choices too for the coatings.
We were like children being given playdoh! We had two different flavours to ‘play’ with. And did we play!
It even got quite competitive! This was voted the perfect truffle.
We came home laden with delicious truffles, which are being slowly savoured here. I’m still not sure which is my favourite the Chocolate and Ginger or the cappuccino.
I’ll let you know when I decide. 🙂
But one thing I will tell you – I’m all fired up – have my list written – and as soon as I can I am taking a day out to make more truffles! 🙂
A Year In Redwood 
I am not a chocolate lover Margaret but it looks like you had a lovely time. It looks like you had a great experience and it is always nice to learn a bit at events like this xx Might snow here tonight – that cold it is!
Mona,
I would always go for the savoury rather than the sweet… but Gillian’s chocolate is so delicious and rich that a little bit once in a while is delicious.
Rain is absolutely bucketing down here and it is so so cold too! Bad gales forecast too!
Batten down the hatches!
Margaret
Sounds like a great day out! Must remember to make some truffles this year…..
Yvonne,
It was a lovely few hours…. and I’m still savouring a few of the truffles!
Margaret
Wow you were really listening as well as taking photos – dead impressed with your multitasking abilities. Have to agree that the layout of the Cookery School was the perfect for the course … but Sarah Baker does not stay idle and they are renovating another room which will hold many more people and, no doubt, courses!
Hi
Love your Blog (and the snow feature on the side!) and photos are brill. I think I will ask santy for one of those fancy cameras.. Gillian did a fabulous job. I loved listening to her huge know knowledge of chocolate and learning how to make real truffles. They were delicious beside the fire last night with a big cup of coffee.. take me there now on this miserable Tuesday morning.
Thank you Sarah for the lovely comments! Gillian was brilliant. I had a couple of truffles last night too… although with a glass of wine!
Margaret
Gillian you presented the detail so well! And I didn’t even go into the different variety of cocoa beans (I’d forgotten to write down the names!).
Margaret