This past weekend the Hartstone Inn featured a chocolate cooking class with Kate Shaffer of Black Dinah 
Chocolatiers. Both Saturday’s and Sunday’s classes were sold out and the response was very positive. Kate started the class with an introduction of herself and her business. She then discussed the basics of chocolate from the difference between types of chocolates (bittersweet, semisweet, milk and white 
chocolate) to the proper way to melt chocolate.
Next, we made two ganache fillings, perfectly selected for the upcoming holidays. First came a Gingerbread-Dark Chocolate Ganache, followed by a White C
hocolate-Eggnog Ganache, my personal favorite. We then formed and cut the ganache and coated them with everything from walnuts and cocoa powder to dark chocolate and decorative transfer paper. Kate then showed the class how to dress strawberries with chocolate tuxedos and we made bark with various types of chocolates, nuts and dried fruits.
hocolate-Eggnog Ganache, my personal favorite. We then formed and cut the ganache and coated them with everything from walnuts and cocoa powder to dark chocolate and decorative transfer paper. Kate then showed the class how to dress strawberries with chocolate tuxedos and we made bark with various types of chocolates, nuts and dried fruits.
Finally, Kate discussed packaging options, we tasted the results and packaged up some samples for the students to take home with them. Thank you Kate! We look forward to your follow up class (title and class description to follow) on April 25th and 26th, 2009.
My wife Lisa and I were staying at the Hartstone this past weekend and attended the class. Kate did a fantastic job. She covered everything from picking good chocolate to use, making ganache (including how to handle problems when they come up). The recipies that she shared were terrific and there were enough samples that we are still working down the inventory of what we brought home. Thanks for offering thi class!