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How Adare Manor Transformed A Historic Cottage Into A Chocolate Haven
@Source: forbes.com
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Adare Manor has recently chosen to play tribute to its past by opening a chocolate haven for ... [+] visitors.
Adare Manor
With luxurious amenities and incredible service, it’s no surprise that Adare Manor has long been lauded as one of Europe’s best hotels. While you’ll find a bevy of incredible onsite features, including a Michelin-star restaurant and a luxe golf course, the property has recently chosen to play tribute to its past by opening a chocolate haven for visitors.
"We're always seeking innovative ways to enhance the guest experience at Adare Manor,” says general manager Brendan O’Connor in an interview with Forbes. “We believe that true luxury lies in offering something unique and memorable, and Harry Lowes Chocolate certainly achieves that. It adds another dimension to our culinary offerings, complementing our existing restaurants and providing a space entirely dedicated to desserts. It also allows us to showcase the incredible talent of our team and celebrate the rich tradition of chocolate making in Europe.”
Harry Lowes Chocolate was established to create an experience that takes things a step further. Hidden in a historic cottage nestled in the property’s lush green grounds, Harry Lowes Chocolate was named after the groundskeeper who once resided here. During his tenure, he masterfully took care of the property’s grounds, ensuring not a single flower or tree was missed. The chocolate itself is inspired by the property, playing ode to the incredible grounds that were cared for so lovingly by Lowes. Head chocolatier Cedric Riviere took time exploring the gardens and learning about Lowes to come up with the creations.
Harry Lowes Chocolate was named after the groundskeeper who once resided here.
Adare Manor
"Launching Harry Lowes Chocolate was an incredible journey,” explains Riviere. “My main inspiration was to capture the essence of Adare Manor in the creations themselves. I wanted to create flavors that evoke the beauty of the surroundings, the changing seasons and the rich culinary traditions of Ireland. It's about translating the Adare Manor experience into a symphony of flavours and textures."
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With dim lighting, a warm color palette and a design by Kim Patridge Interiors, the entire space reflects the rich hues of chocolate while taking inspiration from Ireland’s countryside with the green marble display island.
Each chocolate is hand-poured and shaped in the cottage’s open kitchen.
Adare Manor
Each chocolate is hand-poured and shaped in the cottage’s open kitchen. Riviere, who perfected his craft in the kitchens of Hotel du Cap Eden Roc and Bastide de Gordes, works with ingredients sourced from eco-certified artisans and farmers. For instance, raw chocolate comes from France and Switzerland and organic dried fruits are brought in from the Mediterranean. The team also uses locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, including Irish cream liqueur from County Cork, Irish butter and milk and Irish whiskey and gin. They also incorporate infusions from organic flower extractions to enhance the chocolate flavors.
“Several things set our chocolate apart,” explains Riviere. “First, it's the exceptional quality of our ingredients. Second, it's the artistry and dedication that goes into each piece. Every chocolate is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail. We use time-honoured techniques, like hand-tempering and hand-painting, to create visually stunning and truly unique chocolates.”
A normal visit to the cottage lets you try your hand at bonbons, fingers, spreads and dragées in ... [+] over 50 different flavors.
Adare Manor
A normal visit to the cottage lets you try your hand at bonbons, fingers, spreads and dragées in over 50 different flavors. On a normal day, you’ll be able to indulge in Sunflower Praline and Sea Salt to Pine Kernal Praline and Strawberry and Mint to Irish Cream Liquer alongside a bevy of seasonally rotating flavors and confections.
"In addition to the exquisite selection of chocolates and hand-made desserts, Harry Lowes Chocolate offers a range of experiences,” says O’Connor. “Guests can partake in chocolate tastings, learning about the nuances of flavour and the art of chocolate appreciation. We also host chocolate-making workshops, where guests can try their hand at creating their own confectionery masterpieces under the guidance of our expert chocolatiers.”
As for what you should order, Riviere recommends Piedmont hazelnut praline, claiming it’s one of his personal favorites. In addition, he says the pistachio spread, one of the most popular creations at the Harry Lowes Chocolate House, is another standout.
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