The invention of pralines dates back to the 17th century and is most often attributed to Clément Jaluzot, master chef to César de Choiseul, Comte du Plessis-Praslin (1598-1675). Monsieur Jaluzot is said to have hit upon the idea of coating almonds with caramelised sugar, producing a sweet and crunchy treat that delighted his employer’s palate. [...]

France’s first Fête de la Gastronomie is taking place on Friday, September 23, 2011. The event is an opportunity to collectively celebrate France’s renowned gourmet food traditions, recently declared part of the world’s heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The initiative also aims to encourage generosity and conviviality around food [...]

The 17th annual edition of Paris’s famous Salon du Chocolat takes place from October 20-24, 2011 at Porte de Versailles. This amazing chocolate extravaganza, the biggest chocolate festival in the world, brings together more than 400 top chocolatiers and chocolate experts, cocoa growers, pastry chefs, authors, and tens of thousands of chocolate lovers. The spotlight [...]

October 1st each year has been declared Journée Mondiale du Cacao et du Chocolat (World Cocoa and Chocolate Day) by the Académie Française du Chocolat et de la Confiserie. The idea for an annual celebration of both cocoa and chocolate follows the decision of the London-based International Cocoa Organization to establish World Cocoa Day, also [...]

From September 15 to October 2 the upscale rue Saint-Honoré (1st arr.) will become “Quartier du Chocolat” (chocolate quarter). Belgian chocolate producer Côte d’Or will be organising free workshops, tastings and other chocolate-themed events at three venues in the neighbourhood. The rock’n roll tea salon Horror Picture Tea (95, rue Saint-Honoré) will be transformed into [...]