A locally-based chef is bringing a taste of Paris to Ladner tomorrow.
Chef Ann Kirsebom will be selling her original creation, Paris in a Chocolate, at The Blue Door Interiors at a special event.
Made in Ladner with ingredients imported from France, the luxury chocolates feature a ganache centre infused with Grand Marnier.
Kirsebom said she came up with the idea almost by accident.
With licensing agreements with Grand Marnier Lapostolle in France and Callebaut Chocolate/Cacao Barry in Zurich, Kirsebom has created two signature products. She said Grand Marnier sent her a four-litre version of one of its bottles to take with her to shows and events where she was showcasing the products.
One day, she said, the iconic red Marnier Lapostolle family seal that adorns each bottle of the liqueur fell off.
Kirsebom said she tried to reattach the seal without any luck and had it sitting by her computer.
Looking at it day after day, the classically French trained chef came up with the idea to use the large seal to make a mould for chocolates.
"I was a little nervous because it's their family crest," she said. "It's hundreds of years old."
Kirsebom made her pitch and the company agreed to let her produce the chocolates.
Over the next two years, the chef worked to have the mould created, sourced ingredients, including a naturally red tinted cocoa butter, and perfected the filling.
"I tested hundreds of ganaches," she said.
Paris in a Chocolate officially debuted at the SIAL Show in October in Paris.
Tomorrow's event at The Blue Door Interiors, 5094-48th Ave., is at 7:30 p.m.
