KOHLER, Wis. (PRWEB) – From sweet to savory and all points in between Celebration of Chocolate is a foodies reverie. For the sixth year, this signature three-day culinary event boasts a line-up of chocolate-inspired demonstrations, a five-course pairings dinner, and various tastings hosted by the resort’s talented chefs on February 16-18, 2018 at Destination Kohler.
“Chocolate lovers rejoice in Destination Kohler’s signature culinary gathering affording educational seminars for all skill levels, delectable tastings and dining offerings all brimming with chocolate,” said Jenna Check, Associate Director – Special Events & Leisure Sales at Destination Kohler. “Set in timing with Valentine’s Day, Celebration of Chocolate is an indulgent weekend for an escape in the heart of winter.”
The resort’s celebrated culinary specialists headlining the daytime and distinctive evening events are Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates Chocolatier Anette Righi Defendi and The American Club Pastry Chef Nicolas Blouin. In addition to showcasing the resort’s culinary talents, the event is a true celebration of Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates – Kohler Co.’s own line of artfully crafted chocolates and chocolate-infused brandy – Dark Chocolate Brandy and Chocolate Mint Brandy. Featured Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates products to be showcased are the Dark Chocolate Hearts and new Butterscotch Hop.
Celebration of Chocolate Presenting Chefs
Anette Righi DeFendi, Head Chocolatier – Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates
Recently named one of the Top Ten Chocolatiers in North America of 2015 by Dessert Professional and one of Wisconsin’s Top Female Chefs by Travel Wisconsin, Righi DeFendi began her love for chocolate while at The French Pastry School in Chicago. She oversees the chocolate business, production and product development and has been with Kohler Chocolates since 2011. Righi DeFendi will host four chocolate pairing sessions featuring Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates and select confections paired with wine, spirits, cheese and Kohler Original Recipe Chocolate Brandy – Dark Chocolate and Chocolate Mint.
Nicolas Blouin, Executive Pastry Chef – Destination Kohler
Originally from Toulouse, France, Chef Blouin joined the Kohler team in September 2017 with 20 years of culinary experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants and with world-renowned patissiers in Switzerland. Recent accolades, include: winner of “LeNotre Symposium” (2017), a chocolate and sugar showpiece competition in Houston, Texas, and the coveted Valrhona Chocolate Chef Competition, also known as C³ (2015), in Brooklyn, New York. France and North America. Chef Blouin will create an artful chocolate sculpture and host two sessions – an interactive demonstration creating a chocolate orb diffuser for a twist on hot chocolate and a demonstration featuring a trio of chocolate mousse.
Signature experiences of Celebration of Chocolate include the In Celebration of Chocolate Wine Dinner hosted at The American Club and the Saturday evening soiree at the Kohler Design Center – Sugar High.
Celebration of Chocolate Signature Events
In Celebration of Chocolate Wine Dinner
Location: Great Lakes Ballroom at The American Club
Time: 6:30-9:30pm
Price: $145
Dress Code: Resort Casual Attire
A dining experience that will leave the chocolate-loving foodie inspired for days. This elegant, sweet and savory five-course dinner with expert wine pairings will treat guests to a one of a kind chocolate-inspired menu. This distinctive dinner is hosted by The American Club’s Pastry Chef Nicolas Blouin and Executive Banquet Chef Lucas Oppeneer, and guest presenter Executive Sous Chef Jerome Ducrocq of The Venetian Restaurant in Las Vegas.
Sugar High
Location: Kohler Design Center
Time: 8-10pm
Price: $92
Dress Code: Resort Casual Attire
Capture the final moments of the weekend with an unforgettable evening of delectable food. Sample, savor and discuss a variety of dishes with the featured chefs from the weekend while indulging in an assortment of KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates. All of it enhanced with the flavors of wine, cocktails & live music by the Ryan McIntire Duo of Milwaukee, Wis.
Celebration of Chocolate Tickets & Hotel Packages
Tickets for the chocolate fete will be available for purchase starting December 19 at http://www.KohleratHome.com with a la carte ticket pricing starting at $39.99. Guests can reserve one of the two featured overnight packages – Chocolate Indulgence and Sweet Treat – starting at $165 per person with accommodations at the Forbes Five Star The American Club resort hotel and the recently expanded Inn on Woodlake. For reservations, call (800) 344-2838.
Stay up to date on resort news and happenings on Facebook, twitter and Instagram. Destination Kohler is located in the quaint Village of Kohler, and located one hour north of Milwaukee and two-and-a-half hours north of Chicago.
History of KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
The KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates story begins with turtles. And not just any run-of-the-mill turtle – a complex blend of chocolate; smoky, burnt caramel and finished with salted pecans hand-picked for their size and perfection. The turtle that went through rigorous testing, many recipe tweaks and extensive sampling was perfected by the renowned chefs at Destination Kohler and blessed by Kohler Co. CEO & Chairman, Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., to launch KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates in 2007. Today, the original Terrapins have become the basis for an emerging chocolates business that refuses to clutter the marketplace; rather it seeks to explore limitless opportunity in taste and texture with natural raw ingredients. The Terrapins have since been expanded into four delicious varieties and the company has continued to diversify its line of chocolates. KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates signature lines are available year-round at the Craverie Chocolatier Café and online at KohlerChocolates.com. The Dark Chocolate Brandy and Chocolate Mint Brandy are available at Destination Kohler as well as more than 350 retailers and restaurants throughout Wisconsin.
About Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate Group
The Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate profile includes The American Club, boasting the first and only Forbes Five-Star hotel property in Wisconsin, and world-renowned championship golf courses Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. Acquired in 2004, its sister property, The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in the birthplace of golf, St Andrews, Scotland, is a AA Five Red Star property and recognized as one of the most luxurious resorts in the world.
About Destination Kohler
Herb Kohler created Kohler Co.’s Hospitality & Real Estate Group with the reclamation of The American Club, the first and only Forbes Five-Star hotel in Wisconsin, and then built world-renowned championship golf courses, The Straits at Whistling Straits and The River at Blackwolf Run. The resort is named one of the top three golf resorts in North America, by Golf Digest Magazine. Kohler Waters Spa is the only Forbes Five-Star spa in Wisconsin and one of 56 in the world. The resort features 12 dining establishments from the Four-Star Immigrant to traditional pub fare at Horse & Plow and rustic country gourmet at River Wildlife. The resort is located in the Village of Kohler, Wisconsin, one hour north of Milwaukee and two and a half hours north of Chicago.
