Prologue –
I think that this post is going to make you feel so much better about the fact you didn’t waste your money on making your way to Paris especially for the Salon du Chocolate.
First I have to be clear! I did not visit the professional (although I believe I am one and have the certificate to prove so) but the one that is open to the public. Having said that, a very good friend of mine and a great pastry chef, Tal, did visit the professional that takes place few days before and was extremely disappointed too. The competitions were amazing, I agree, but maybe it’s best to watch them online at the ‘Salon du Chocolat’ web site then going there…
Since I didn’t visit the professional but I have few people I know who were and said it was amazing I would love to hear how and why exactly it was so amazing and what was different in the professional (trade) to the consumer exhibition.
My visit to the Chocolate chaos!
The first thing I noticed and understood when I started walking around was how easy it is to boost something with great photos. How deceiving it can be….
The French crowd came with its children, babies in their push chairs and grannies! unlike the British crowd they do not walk in straight line and wait in the queue … They push and walk in every direction which means that I was completely pissed off!!! It was so annoying to try and make your way to….somewhere! I gave up trying to get closer after a while because it was just too much and anyway, what is there to see? What am I supposed to gain, as a professional from looking at more and more pralines or blocks of chocolates that all were moulded??? NOTHING was new to me. NOTHING made me feel WOW!!! Yes, I took photos for you all but it was just boring. The only stand that made me excited was the Deco relief stand where I bought some equipment I needed (or wanted…) but apart from that, all the big blocks of chocolate and sculptures of chocolate are made out of moulds so I really didn’t see the point…you only need money for that, temper your chocolate, pour into the mould and voila ! Nothing new!! As a comparison, In London I go to every exhibition of Cake international and I love it. Yes, you have loads of traders selling there but there is always a cake competition and you always find new techniques and ideas to spark your own imagination.
To sum it all I would say although I have another ticket I bought in advance online for another day the only day I will consider if at all on going will be the last day and hour just to pick up the best bargains ! I found it to be very commercial, nothing new, innovative, imaginative, creative. Defiantly not worth coming here especially for that!
Now I plan to make the most of the three and a half days I still have to walk around Paris and visit the different selectable Patisseries starting today with the genius himself mister Christophe Adam known is ‘L’eclair de genie’ The genius of the eclair’s to check what he is about…will update you soon. In the meantime enjoy the photos I managed to take at the exhibition and if there is anyone out there who did enjoy the professional please please tell why and how was your experience.
Stay tuned:-))
Btw since I am working on my iPad it is very difficult to edit the post with photos in between the writing so it’s what it is…!
Sinmatok 