EVENTS

The Grand-Marnier distillery at Neauphle-Le-Château
14 June 2007

On 14th June a very special Belcolade event took place just outside Paris, at the Grand-Marnier distillery at Neauphle-Le-Château, close to Versailles. The function was organised in partnership with Grand-Marnier, the famous liquor producer. Customers came and spent a day in some truly charming surroundings to experience an exchange of patisserie ideas, using Belcolade and Grand Marnier liquors.

The event began with a visit of the Grand-Marnier distillery, which consisted of a complete tour of their factory to understand how the liquor is made. The tour guides explained the process, from the point of taking in the dried orange peels from Haiti in the Caribbean, the distilling process, to the point at which the liquor reaches the wine storehouse - deep in the cellars of the village. Guests were then given the opportunity to taste a vintage Grand Marnier, 150 years old, which was truly delicious!

The day then continued, as they discovered "Les Arômes de Cyrano" as Christel Campo (Aromatician at Puratos) demonstrated how Belcolade carefully maps out those flavours naturally found within cocoa beans to develop its origin chocolates. She showed how this unique tool is used to ensure that we only bring the most exquisite origins to our customers through our "Collection" range. Everyone was tested in a short quiz to see how well the aromas in the Cyrano box could be detected!

Nicolas Boussin (M.O.F. Pâtissier 2000, Grand-Marnier) and Stéphane Leroux (M.O.F Pâtissier 2004, Belcolade), created delicious recipes especially for the event. Chocolates and patisserie combining Grand Marnier liquors and Belcolade's "Collection" range of origin chocolates were presented, such as "Ganache Chocolat Framboise" and "Praliné Orange" pralines, and a "Grand Orange Brulée".

A huge thank-you to the Grand Marnier team for such a pleasant collaboration with Belcolade, the result being a truly exclusive event.