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Chocolate class with Chef Gonzo Jimenez
CHOCOLATE COURSES

Classic Confections Modernized

March 14-15, 2023 - 2 DAYS

Gonzo Jiménez

North America Corporate Pastry Chef, República del Cacao

@chef.gonzo

Brooklyn, NY

$ 980
Waiting list Have questions ? Email ecolebrooklyn@valrhona.com

Known on Netflix for his innovative approach to classic flavors, join Chef Gonzo Jimenez to unleash your creativity and put a modern spin on popular American treats! Learn all there is to know about chocolate and how to update your current confections offering during Chef Gonzo’s first ever hands on class at l’Ecole Valrhona Brooklyn. 

As the Corporate Pastry Chef for South American Chocolate Brand Republica del Cacao, Chef Gonzo will be utilizing high end South American chocolate for all the confections created in class. Create decadent confections with a polished touch, experimenting with exciting fillings and decorations. Class will feature airbrushing and other contemporary finishing techniques to make your creations stand out.

Chef Gonzo will also dive deep into the fundamentals of chocolate, explaining the “why” and “how” behind the chemistry and each technical approach. Learn about precrystallization and the different methods for chocolate tempering, and practice your skills hands on.

The goal of this class is for students to understand everything behind the recipes and processes learned so you can troubleshoot in your own kitchen, but most importantly to have fun and let your creativity run wild! 

Objectives:

  • Explore traditional American flavors and discover how to translate those flavors into molded chocolate bonbons and other confections 
  • Practice different chocolate tempering methods 
  • Utilize airbrushing and décor techniques to enhance your confections 
  • Learn the science behind chocolate, and the “why” and “how” of the techniques used in class 

Class price includes light breakfast and coffee in the morning, lunch each full day, a class recipe book, apron, pen, a gift bag, diploma, as well as all materials, ingredients, and equipment needed for class. 

Items to be Created in Class: 

  • Turron 
  • Turtle Cookies 
  • Pop Corn Bars 
  • Strawberry Shortcake 
  • Caramel Mocha Lids 
  • Modern Snickers 
  • Gonzo Reese’s Cups 
  • Da Bomb Filled Cookies 
  • Peanut Butter & Jelly Drip Bonbons 
  • “Twix” Bars 

Chef Gonzo Jimenez was born in Northern Argentina, raised in a Spanish household surrounded by good food and long family meals. At the age of 17, he started working in restaurants and fell in love with the culinary world. He enrolled in pastry and culinary school in Buenos Aires. After completing his studies, he traveled around the country working for 5 star hotels and celebrity chefs. 

 From 2009 to 2013, Chef Gonzo worked for large hotels in the United States including the St. Julien in Boulder, CO and The Hyatt Corporation in New Orleans and New York. Most notable amongst his various accomplishments throughout this period was the launch of his personal line of chocolates, providing different hotels throughout Manhattan, NY with high end confections. 

 In 2013, he moved back to South America to work at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Santiago de Chile. Soon after he accepted a highly coveted position with Barry Callebaut as a Corporate Chef for the South American Region and Director of the Chocolate Academy in Chile. 

 Current Netflix show Bakesquad has launched Chef Gonzo’s career into a different dimension, showcasing his chocolate art skills globally and turning him into a celebrity chef. 

 Chef Gonzo is República del Cacao’s Corporate Pastry Chef for the United States and North America. He travels North America representing the brand by teaching classes, giving demos, and providing technical assistance to all its customers. He is currently the co-owner and chocolatier of Miette et Chocolat in Denver Colorado where he exclusively uses República del Cacao chocolates to create his confections. 

If you cancel 45 days or more prior to the first day of class, you will be completely refunded. If you cancel within 45 days you will receive a 50% refund or 100% class credit to be used within a year of the cancellation date. If you cancel within one week of the class you will receive a 50% class credit to be used within one year of the cancelation date. 

We do our best to avoid canceling or rescheduling classes, however, please be aware that classes are subject to change due to conflicts, instructor illness, travel issues, etc. We will contact you immediately in case of any date changes or course cancellations. In the case a class is rescheduled or canceled we offer you the choice of a full refund or a class credit to be used within one year of the cancelation date. 

As Valrhona is not responsible for your accommodations we recommend booking refundable forms of transportation and accommodations, so if an unforeseen change occurs you will not be charged.

 *Offer cannot be combined with any additional discounts. Only eligible for classes taught in the United States.

Refer a friend for a class at l'Ecole Valrhona Brooklyn and you will  both receive a $200 credit towards your next class!
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