The GOODS from Chocolate Arts

Vancouver, BC | On Saturday, September 20th, Vancouver’s Chocolate Arts chocolate shop and café releases Allure, a signature chocolate created in collaboration with renowned French chocolate house Cacao Barry. The first artisan chocolatier in Canada to visit the Or Noir laboratory and blend his own signature chocolate, owner and head chocolatier Greg Hook visited Cacao Barry’s headquarters to undergo a rigorous development process for his new product. The outcome is Allure, a highly personalized product embodying the flavour profile and characteristics Greg desires in his chocolate.

Each phase of the meticulous multi-step process building on the outcome of the one before, Greg’s research began while still in Vancouver, with a blind taste test of pure 100% chocolates demonstrating various key flavor profiles: bitter, sweet, aromatic, fruity and cocoa. Next he travelled to France, where he went through another round of single-origin chocolate tasting, sampling and selecting various cocoa beans. With the help of Or Noir experts, he then tried his selections combined in various quantities: as cocoa liqueur, ganache and paired with various fruits and nuts in order to evaluate compatibility. The result was Allure, a dark chocolate comprised of cocoa beans from Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Peru.

Allure demonstrates a strong cocoa start that carries through a round fruity finish. While traditionally most fruity chocolates lack a strong cocoa punch and cocoa-heavy varieties lack fruit, Chocolate Arts’ personal blend manifests and harmonizes these flavours, effectively capturing chocolate’s inscrutable universal charm and appeal.

Allure will be available in various prêt-à-manger chocolates and pastries at Chocolate Arts chocolate shop and café, as well as in various formats for home use.

DETAILS

1620 – West 3rd Ave | Vancouver, BC | V6J 1K2
Web: www.chocolatearts.com | Facebook | Twitter

GALLERY

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN

Proprietor & Maitre Chocolatier – Greg Hook

ABOUT CHOCOLATE ARTS

Since 1992, Chocolate Arts has quite literally been breaking the mold. One of the first chocolatiers in Vancouver to make their confections entirely by hand, owner and head chocolatier Greg Hook and his team have continued to set themselves apart as pioneers in the production of playful, innovative chocolate creations while remaining true to artisanal quality and traditions.

A born and bred prairie boy from Saskatchewan, Greg began his career as a cook, but quickly transitioned to pastry chef and finally to chocolatier in his desire to master every aspect of the culinary arts. As a lifelong student and insatiable experimenter, his calling ultimately lay in the complexities and creative possibilities offered by working with chocolate. With its ever-expanding and continuously evolving lineup of products (complete with vegan and vegetarian options), Chocolate Arts stands as a testament to Greg’s passion and his team’s dedication to creating high-quality confections that cater to every palate.

Located in the heart of Kitsilano, just steps away from Granville Island, Chocolate Arts is at once a shop and café, catering to the sweet-seeker, the gift-hunter and the hungry alike. Housemade sandwiches, pastries, coffees and chilled chocolate milk are made on-site daily, while a customizable hot chocolate bar allows guests to create their perfect cocoa. Summer brings Chocolate Arts’ decadent, one-of-a-kind ice cream bars, made entirely in-house, using only the freshest, local ingredients.

The first Vancouver chocolate shop to align itself with the local, sustainable movement, Chocolate Arts sources locally grown, organic and seasonal products wherever possible, including peaches, pears, pumpkins, berries, and hazelnuts. Avid experimentation and innovation ensures that the truest and boldest flavours stand out in their lineup of chocolates, truffles, bars, spreads and sculptures, effectively capturing the spirit and taste of British Columbia and the Pacific West Coast.