Master Chocolatier BEnoit Racquet, Sylvie Fortin
Debra C. Argen, Edward F. Nesta
We first learned about BE Chocolat when we were visiting Bridget and Master Distiller Rob Schulten owners of Fifth State Distillery in Bridgeport, Connecticut and they had us taste BE Chocolat’s Gin and T, a delectable pairing of ganache with two great family-owned Connecticut companies, Fifth State Gin and Bigelow Earl Grey Black Tea. One bite of this delicious chocolate and we were hooked on the Gin and T chocolate and decided to make a trip to BE Chocolat to learn more.
Seeing, or when it comes to chocolates, tasting, is believing, so on Friday, July 3, 2021, we took a trip to Fairfield, Connecticut to visit with BE Chocolat owner Sylvie Fortin and her husband Master Chocolatier Benoit Racquet to learn about and taste their amazing chocolates where their tag line is BE Chocolat "Initiator of Tastes."
Speaking with Sylvie and BEnoit, we learned that their atelier opened on January 5, 2021, in the historic district of Fairfield, Connecticut and they have steadily increased their visibility with their delectable and creative products. BEnoit is a Master Chocolatier and received his training at the Ceria Culinary Institute in Brussels and was the Chocolate Chef at the Belgian pavilion at the Shanghai World Pavilion.
They sell their chocolates as individual bon bons, in bars, and have stunning molds for holidays and special occasions designed to inspire the imagination. We also loved that they could personalize their chocolate bars with a customer’s message. What a lovely birthday, shower, anniversary, or "just because" way to convey your special message.
Sylvie Fortin – Stiletto Chocolate Shoes
We loved their stiletto shoe chocolate mold that they can make in a variety of colors and fill with mixed chocolates as the perfect topping on a cake for a fashionista’s birthday party, fashion show, or "Cinderella" party. Their car chocolate mold would be wonderful for car afficionados, to present to new car owners, or to winners at Concours d’Elegance or other car-related events. BEnoit is a huge sports fan, (the day we visited the atelier, friends and family gathered to watch the Belgian-Italy soccer match (Italy won 2-1 over Belgian), so they also have sport molds to delight sports fans.
What distinguishes BE Chocolat is that not only are the chocolates handcrafted with love in small batches in Fairfield, Connecticut, they also have inspired flavor combinations that make this chocolate atelier a standout. A few of their more exotic chocolate bon bon combinations include Limoncello made with real Limoncello, Pink Sesame with toasted sesame oil, Tuscany balsamic gel, and cracked Himalayan pink salt, Vanilla Bourbons combines the highest quality vanilla Bourbon with the world’s best chocolate, Gin and T incorporates Fifth State Gin and Bigelow Earl Grey Black Tea, Champagne & Raspberry Heart made with Veuve Clicquot champagne and organic raspberry, in a Belgian dark chocolate heart mold, Black Forest made with Alsace Kirschwasser and candied cherries in dark chocolate, and Praline (also in a golf ball shape for your favorite golfer) made with Bulleit 10-year bourbon, slow-roasted almonds and hazelnuts praline.
BEnoit also uses herbal, floral, and spice elements in some of his chocolates including Rosemary Raspberry made with fresh rosemary infused ganache, raspberry balsamic cream, and organic dried raspberries, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cayenne with Aztec’s spiced chocolate beverage recreated, which has a subtle and spiced explosion, Peppermint (a dark chocolate ganache with peppermint essential oil and a drop of rose syrup), and Lavender made by infusing lavender flowers in white chocolate ganache.
Wild Moon Lavender Liqueur and BE Chocolat Lavender pairing
We tasted our way through their rich line of chocolates at their atelier and brought some home to create chocolate pairings. The Lavender made a lovely pairing with Wild Moon Lavender Liqueur made in Hartford, Connecticut. The combination of the lavender chocolate with the lavender liqueur was spot on delicious.
Continuum Distilling Charred and
BE Chocolat Salted Caramel pairing
Other delectable pairings we tried at home included pairing the Salted Caramel (grass-fed butter and cream caramel and cracked sea salt) with Continuum Distilling Charred a dark "beer whiskey" made from brown ales, stouts, and porters made in Waterbury, Connecticut. The flavor combination of creamy, sweet, and salty paired extremely well with the whiskey.
We paired their Coffee Cup (mocha ganache of Shearwater Organic Cold Brew coffee presented in an adorable dark chocolate coffee cup mold) with a demi-tasse of Java Love Coffee Roasters Brazil Cerrado coffee for a perfect after dinner finish.
Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta
"See You at BE Chocolat"
We love peanut butter and chocolate and brought home a bar of their Honey Roasted Peanut Butter bar made with milk chocolate and Honey Roasted Peanut Butter that was absolutely delicious! We may need to go back and buy some more of these bars to put between slices of artisanal bread and grill it. Food for thought…would the sandwich then be considered a savory or a dessert? Either way, it sounds delicious, and we will definitely need to try it!
With BE Chocolat, the question should not be… To BE or not to BE, but rather when! While BE Chocolat makes a perfect gift, do remember to "gift" yourself as well.
Until next time, wishing you sweet chocolate dreams!
To learn more about BE Chocolat or purchasing information, please visit their website: www.BEChocolat.com.
BE Chocolat Hours: BE Chocolat is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The shop is closed on Mondays.
BE Chocolat
75 Hillside Road
Fairfield, Connecticut 06824
(Located in Greenfield Hill Common)
United States
Telephone: +1-203-292-5981
Email: yummy@bechocolat.com
Website: www.BEchocolat.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BEChocolatusa
Instagram: @be_chocolat_usa
Twitter: @be_chocolat
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