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.
Interested 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.
While 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.
Allowing chocolate to ooze, drizzle and slide over a mould is a thing of beauty. Delicious, drool-worthy beauty.
Once 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.
Once 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.
Visit 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.
Those are gorgeous!
Thanks Nicole!
Too pretty to eat, but I would.
Yup, I sure did!
Ohh those chocolates are gorgeous!
Thanks Brenda! They were delicious too!
those chocolates look as beautiful as they look delicious! would love to go there.
Thank you Nicky!
Those are gorgeous! I hope to visit St. Anne’s sometime this year or next.
Awesome! Let me know if you plan to go – would love to share tips with you!
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!
Aw, you will have to get there. Maybe a couple’s retreat will convince hubby?
Alright that’s it all these post from your culinary experience really have me dreaming of booking one :)
Please do Tammy – you will love it!
Those look so yummy, I bet you and your hubby had a blast at the spa!
We had an amazing time – thank you Jaime!
What delicious fun!
It was fab Teena, thanks!
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.
That sounds divine Nicoline!
I’d love to take a class from a pro pastry chef! These chocolates look amazing!
They were scrumptious Anne!
wow that’s quite lovely
Yes, and delicious too :)
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 ;)
Dark chocolate is divine! We loved it.
they were so pretty like a marble. tasty I am sure too.
Beyond tasty Chandra – like, scrumptious!
Wow, sounds like you had so much fun, What a great place to visit.
It is! Please check it out Bailey!
Wow, how neat!
Thanks Amber :)
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!
You should absolutely check out the website!
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?
Of course! Chef Khushroo even packaged the chocolates and had them waiting for us at the bakery!
Did someone say chocolate?! Mmmmmm. So how does your masterpieces taste?
Divine, Melinda – simply divine!
Now how pretty are those! I’m not a chocolate fan but my girls would love those! Wonderful experience!
It really was Darlene!
They definitely look like marbles and very tempting to eat.
I admit to having one… or four!
I want chocolate!
You would love Ste. Annes, Kelly!
Addicted to chocolate-yum! This just reaffirms St. Anne’s and I are meant to be!
Ha! Love that Teresa!
Best job in the world!
I agree Jay!
Those look like works of art! And what a fabulous venue for a culinary retreat!
Absolutely Lori – everything about Ste. Anne’s is breathtaking!
Wow this looks so neat!
Thanks Yuen!
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