Devonshire Feb 16
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FOOD and DRINK<br />
are available to buy so that you can go home and<br />
start making your own chocolates without having<br />
to make a special shopping trip.<br />
Gill runs these home-based courses at least twice a<br />
month. Most are designed for those new to chocolate<br />
making but Gill also hosts intermediate courses<br />
for those wanting to develop their skills further.<br />
The courses are<br />
very ʻhands on’<br />
and you’ll make<br />
approximately<br />
thirty<br />
chocolates on a<br />
half day course<br />
A Love of Chocolate<br />
Itʼs fair to say that most of us like chocolate. And the latest evidence revealed by<br />
Harvard University means you neednʼt feel guilty eating it in moderation.<br />
The courses cater for all ages from 9 upwards. The<br />
courses are not just for women as many of Gill’s<br />
budding chocolatiers are men. The atmosphere is<br />
very relaxed and the house, which is full of art and<br />
objets d’art, has been featured in several magazines.<br />
These home based courses are only a part of what<br />
Gill does however. She also caters for larger private<br />
parties if, for instance, a group of adults want a<br />
unique way to celebrate that special occasion. Gill’s<br />
courses are also very popular with hen parties, a<br />
fun way to experience something different before<br />
Chocolate can be called ʻone of your daily five’<br />
as it is a fruit from the cacao tree. The beans, in<br />
their raw state, have many health benefits, can<br />
make us feel happier and have the qualities of a<br />
ʻsuperfood’. However, during the production of<br />
chocolates for boxes and bars, other ingredients<br />
are added that are the<br />
culprits of weight gain.<br />
For some people chocolate<br />
is a treat, for others<br />
it’s a regular part of<br />
their diet. For Gill Coates<br />
it’s an obsession. Not<br />
eating chocolates, although<br />
tasting is an<br />
essential part of what<br />
Gill does, but teaching people to make them.<br />
Gill came across chocolate making by accident<br />
when she was living in France and decided to<br />
go on a chocolate making course with the world<br />
famous Valrhona chocolate manufacturer in 2007.<br />
Following this inspirational course Gill wanted to<br />
Gill decided to go on a<br />
chocolate making course with<br />
the world famous Valrhona<br />
chocolate manufacturer in<br />
2007<br />
Teachers perks on ‘Easter Chocolates’ Course 2015<br />
share her love of chocolate making and began<br />
running courses in France sharing her knowledge<br />
of chocolate and its origins and teaching people<br />
how to make chocolates in all kinds of different<br />
shapes, sizes and taste varieties. In 2011 she and<br />
her husband returned to live in England and<br />
settled in Lyme Regis<br />
in Dorset. They renovated<br />
a property there,<br />
designing the kitchen<br />
specifically so that Gill<br />
could continue running<br />
her courses. She now<br />
runs regular classes for<br />
up to ten people at her<br />
home and for bigger<br />
groups in various locations across the South West.<br />
If you come on one of Gill’s courses you’ll start by<br />
learning about the origins of chocolate, tasting<br />
different varieties from around the world. Then<br />
you’ll make several varieties of chocolates using a<br />
range of ingredients and flavours. The courses are<br />
very ʻhands on’ and you’ll make<br />
approximately thirty chocolates<br />
on a half day course and<br />
about fifty on a full day course<br />
and, depending on how many<br />
you’re tempted to eat during<br />
the day, you gift wrap them<br />
ready to take home with you.<br />
A feature of the courses is that<br />
you will learn to make chocolates<br />
without having to buy<br />
expensive equipment, in fact,<br />
the equipment you use can be<br />
found in the drawer of any well<br />
stocked kitchen. She will also<br />
have a supply of top quality,<br />
inexpensive ingredients that<br />
A budding chocolatier at work<br />
the big day. Gill also runs children’s parties where<br />
chocolate making is tailored to the age of the<br />
group. All these courses can be held at different<br />
venues in the south west as long as the minimum<br />
facilities which Gill needs are provided.<br />
Gill also gives talks and demonstrations at a variety<br />
of venues in the South West; again, tailored to the<br />
group’s needs.<br />
Finally, a popular part of the service Gill offers is<br />
Gift Vouchers. These can be purchased if you want<br />
to give someone a very special gift. You purchase<br />
the voucher and Gill will personalise it with a<br />
message from you to the intended recipient who<br />
can then arrange to attend one of the courses to<br />
suit their diary.<br />
Contact Gill Coates at Chocolate Amour<br />
07717 887442 or email grantgilli@aol.com<br />
24<br />
Countryside, History, Walks, the Arts, Events & all things Devon at: DEVONSHIRE magazine.co.uk
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