08/01/2008

The Chocolate Connections

Here in the valley, we are lucky to have a couple of master chocolatiers. Julia Baker of Julia Baker Confections studied chocolate-making in Paris in addition to honing her pastry and cuisine chef skills. She continues the tradition state-side. In addition to making artisan chocolates, she makes one of the best chocolate cakes known to man: Gateau Francois Premier. “Europeans believe that every bite of a cake should afford a different textural experience: a bit of creaminess, a bit of crispiness,” Baker says. The Gateau Francois Premier has layers of chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse and dark chocolate ganache. Variations of the Premier can include creamy caramel and toasted pecans. Another Baker showstopper is the Gateau Louis XV, a layered hazelnut cake with milk chocolate cream, hazelnut crisp, and praline crunch.