The first course out of three to obtain the title of Chocolate Taster with the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting will take place in Liguria for the first time. Specifically, the sea village of Portovenere in the Gulf of Poets – province of La Spezia – will host the course on 17-18 March 2018, in the beautiful meeting spaces of Grand Hotel Portovenere.
The course is headed by Monica Meschini, Italian sommelier, tea & chocolate taster. She was born a curious gourmet. She was a founding member of the Chocolate Society in 1995 and has collaborated for more than 20 years with Eurochocolate and the Chocolate Show in Paris, Copenhagen, London and Tokyo. In 2012 she became a Co-Founder of International Institute of Chocolate Tasting. Today she continues to collaborate with major international hotel chains for quality control and organizing events and training. Her tastings have been attended by over 150,000 people.
The course is open to anyone: professionals, chefs, restaurateurs or young people who want to undertake a new career and challenge at a pastry and industrial level.
Chocolate Tasting Course – Portovenere Grand Hotel
17 March 2018 – Day 1
The morning session will include a presentation of the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting; a historic overview of cocoa all the way to the production of chocolate; botanic notions and economic geography of cocoa; Italian chocolate (Madama Reale – Boglio Mediceo – Modica); tasting pureness; blends and the concept of Cru.
After the lunch break, the afternoon session continues with lessons on the transformation process; legal and labelling procedures; chocolate defects; and a slow sensorial approach through Slow Chocolate.
18 March 2018 – Day 2
In the morning, you get to learn about the nutritional aspects of chocolate; combinations; aromatization; how to evaluate chocolate through the forms of the International Chocolate Awards. The afternoon lessons will put you to the test with theory exams and a practical tasting. At the end of the day, you will receive your Chocolate Taster Certificate.
Sign Up
You can sign up to the Course of Chocolate Tasting in Portovenere until 17 February 2018 by contacting Monica Meschini info@monicameschini.com.
If you are looking for accommodation in the Gulf of Poets in occasion of the course, Grand Hotel Portovenere offers special rates for those who subscribe to the course. Contact reservations@portoveneregrand.com for more information.
