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Ste. Anne’s Spa: The Art of Chocolate

May 13, 2014 By Lena

By now, I hope you’ve read up on my Culinary Retreat at Ste. Anne’s Spa. Nestled in a private cottage just a stone’s throw away from the main inn, my husband and I enjoyed the many delights of the property, in addition to a private lesson with their celebrated Pastry Chef Khushroo Khambata.

Ste. Anne's Bakery DemoInterested in learning a few new culinary tips while you’re at Ste. Anne’s Spa? Join Pastry Chef Khushroo on Monday, Wednesday or Friday at the Bakery for a complimentary demonstration. The topics of these demonstrations vary from day-to-day, but could be on anything from moulding chocolates and bonbons, to creating marzipan fruits, to designing artistic sugar creations. On our visit, we made colourful handmade moulded chocolates. 

First, we melted only the best dark chocolate over a double boiler. I resisted stuffing the bag under my sweater, though I’m sure you’d be contemplating the same crime if you were in the presence of such indulgence. Chocolate in its raw form? Yes please.

Ste. Anne's Bakery DemoWhile the chocolate cooled to the perfect temperature (the science of which was explained to us by Chef Khushroo), I was assigned the very important task of prepping the moulds with a blend of edible paints. I worried that my artistic skills were not necessarily up to par, but Chef Khushroo assured me that there was no wrong way to create edible art. Encouraged, I painted three moulds: one for bar chocolates, and two for filled chocolates.

Ste. Anne's Bakery DemoAllowing chocolate to ooze, drizzle and slide over a mould is a thing of beauty. Delicious, drool-worthy beauty. 

Ste. Anne's Bakery Demo
Ste. Anne's Bakery DemoOnce the chocolate shells had set, Chef Khushroo began to pipe a caramel-based filling inside the perfect confectionery wells. With precision and care – coupled with a professional’s speed brought on by years of training and practice – the delicate candies were ready for their final chocolate bath.

Ste.Anne's Bakery DemoOnce the final chocolate layer was applied, the bonbons were laid in the freezer to set quickly. While we waited, my husband and I had a chance to get to know Chef Khushroo – his love for cooking began at a young age, experimenting with raw ingredients in his mother’s kitchen. Khushroo’s interest was never lost and from there he travelled the world, from India to Austria to the Caribbean, where he mastered his craft.

Along the way he earned his honours from a Catering College, received his Red Seal Certificate in pastry and bakery as well as taking on the daunting task of completing his CEPC from the American Culinary Federation. He truly is a culinary genius.

Et voila! Our beautiful handmade caramel-filled chocolates. If I wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have believed we could create something so extraordinarily delicious.

Ste. Anne's Bakery Demo
Ste. Anne's Bakery DemoVisit Ste. Anne’s Bakery from 2:00 – 2:30 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to participate in a baking demo with Chef Khushroo. Be sure to sign up quickly, as there are only 12 spots available per day on a first come, first served basis. You must have a reservation in order to attend these events. Special thanks to Chef Khushroo for taking the time to offer us a private demonstration outside bakery hours; the lesson was enlightening, informative, and most of all, satisfied my sweet tooth! Click here to visit Ste. Anne’s Spa.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Culinary Retreat, family travel, health and wellness, Ontario Tourism, spa food, Ste. Anne's Spa

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole W.

    May 14, 2014 at 12:30 am

    Those are gorgeous!

    • Lena

      May 14, 2014 at 6:18 am

      Thanks Nicole!

  2. Debbie W

    May 14, 2014 at 5:32 am

    Too pretty to eat, but I would.

    • Lena

      May 14, 2014 at 6:18 am

      Yup, I sure did!

  3. Brenda Penton

    May 14, 2014 at 7:29 am

    Ohh those chocolates are gorgeous!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks Brenda! They were delicious too!

  4. Nicky

    May 14, 2014 at 8:43 am

    those chocolates look as beautiful as they look delicious! would love to go there.

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      Thank you Nicky!

  5. Victoria Ess

    May 14, 2014 at 9:55 am

    Those are gorgeous! I hope to visit St. Anne’s sometime this year or next.

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      Awesome! Let me know if you plan to go – would love to share tips with you!

  6. Yash

    May 14, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Wow! Those are gorgeous! Well done!

    I was dropping hints left, right and center after reading your initial St. Anne’s post and was hoping hubs would surprise me for Mother’s Day. I guess I wasn’t clear enough because he did not :) Will have to book a girls getaway one day soon!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      Aw, you will have to get there. Maybe a couple’s retreat will convince hubby?

  7. Tammy @inRdream

    May 14, 2014 at 10:24 am

    Alright that’s it all these post from your culinary experience really have me dreaming of booking one :)

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:30 pm

      Please do Tammy – you will love it!

  8. JaimeeM

    May 14, 2014 at 10:39 am

    Those look so yummy, I bet you and your hubby had a blast at the spa!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:30 pm

      We had an amazing time – thank you Jaime!

  9. Teena in Toronto

    May 14, 2014 at 11:00 am

    What delicious fun!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:30 pm

      It was fab Teena, thanks!

  10. nicolthepickle

    May 14, 2014 at 11:06 am

    Lovely!!! I went to a Chocolate demonstration a few years ago by some Barry Callebaut representatives and they made round shiny chocolates and I was so impressed. I’m still impressed and they’re beautiful.

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      That sounds divine Nicoline!

  11. Anne Taylor

    May 14, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    I’d love to take a class from a pro pastry chef! These chocolates look amazing!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      They were scrumptious Anne!

  12. MrDisco

    May 14, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    wow that’s quite lovely

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      Yes, and delicious too :)

  13. Flora M

    May 14, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    A decidedly drool-worthy diatribe !!
    When I do eat chocolate, it needs to be dark chocolate, the darker the better (I think my daughter and grandchildren stole my sweet teeth LOL). So yes, I would be very tempted to scoop or sample some as I was making it ;)

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      Dark chocolate is divine! We loved it.

  14. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    May 14, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    they were so pretty like a marble. tasty I am sure too.

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:35 pm

      Beyond tasty Chandra – like, scrumptious!

  15. Bailey Dexter

    May 14, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    Wow, sounds like you had so much fun, What a great place to visit.

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:37 pm

      It is! Please check it out Bailey!

  16. Amber S

    May 14, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    Wow, how neat!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:37 pm

      Thanks Amber :)

  17. Jen C AKA @JusticeSadie

    May 15, 2014 at 7:20 am

    How cool was that!!! I am a foodie so this would be right up my ally for a Culinary adventure. Looks like a fabulous time!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      You should absolutely check out the website!

  18. angela m

    May 15, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    I have seen so much about Ste. Annes spa and it looks gorgeous, and now seeing this. I would love to visit. Looks like you guys had fun, Did you get to taste test your masterpiece?

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      Of course! Chef Khushroo even packaged the chocolates and had them waiting for us at the bakery!

  19. Melinda L.

    May 16, 2014 at 10:11 am

    Did someone say chocolate?! Mmmmmm. So how does your masterpieces taste?

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      Divine, Melinda – simply divine!

  20. Darlene Schuller

    May 16, 2014 at 11:06 am

    Now how pretty are those! I’m not a chocolate fan but my girls would love those! Wonderful experience!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      It really was Darlene!

  21. Marissa

    May 16, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    They definitely look like marbles and very tempting to eat.

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      I admit to having one… or four!

  22. kelly

    May 20, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    I want chocolate!

    • Lena

      May 26, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      You would love Ste. Annes, Kelly!

  23. Teresa Valvano

    May 27, 2014 at 7:08 am

    Addicted to chocolate-yum! This just reaffirms St. Anne’s and I are meant to be!

    • Lena

      June 1, 2014 at 9:59 am

      Ha! Love that Teresa!

  24. Jay M.

    May 27, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Best job in the world!

    • Lena

      June 1, 2014 at 9:59 am

      I agree Jay!

  25. Lori Bosworth

    May 28, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    Those look like works of art! And what a fabulous venue for a culinary retreat!

    • Lena

      June 1, 2014 at 10:00 am

      Absolutely Lori – everything about Ste. Anne’s is breathtaking!

  26. Yuen C

    May 29, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Wow this looks so neat!

    • Lena

      June 1, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Thanks Yuen!

  27. kathy downey

    July 28, 2016 at 10:52 am

    Oh my those chocolates are amazing,if i were there i would love to try every single one!! Omg i feel my pants getting tighter just thinking of eating all these

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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