Welcome to my newest feature, SnackTime With Jen. This midweek morsel is a small taste of something fun. Topics range from food (of course) to fashion, amusing little discoveries both locally and abroad, and a variety of interesting intel too tempting not to share. So let’s get snacking…
Jean-Paul Hévin, the newly decorated winner of Best Pastry Chocolatier In The World at the World Pastry Stars ceremony in Milan last month, has a lot to celebrate. According to his website, Jean-Paul Hévin is one of the most passionate partisans of French flavor and of chocolate culture. He is also a member of Relais Desserts, an association whose members devotedly defend high-quality chocolate. (So of course I’m wondering if they have a spot open on that illustrious roster pour moi?) With eight boutiques throughout Paris’s ritziest neighborhoods, Jean-Paul Hévin is THE spot to live out your chocolate fantasy.
Last fall I beelined to Jean-Paul Hévin for giftables to bring home for loved ones and each person said the selection they received was absolute bliss. This year I treated myself to the Crispy Chocolate Pearls– mini round biscuit bites coated in milk-caramel chocolate. I swear I saw God. How could these tiny orbs be so sweet, crunchy, and delicious? Yep, I was thinking divine intervention, too. Loving the intense flavor of the Spreadable Fruits, I stocked up on jars in Raspberry, but they also came in Apricot, Fig, Rhubarb, and Blueberry.
The Golden Almond Chests were a big hit last round in Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Pistachio, and Dusted Cocoa so they made the cut. All of the Bars, Covered Fruit Selections, Truffles, and Crunchy Chocolate Assortments are truly extraordinary, but I especially love the Milk Chocolate Bouchées Rocher– dainty milk chocolate rochers, filled with almond and hazelnut praline, so naturally I made room for them, too. The biggest challenge I have is fitting all this chocolate in my suitcase to drag home… that is if I don’t eat most of it prior to take-off!
Jean-Paul Hévin is a one stop chocolate shop for every modern day, high-end, Willy Wonka dream you could ever have. But you don’t need a golden ticket to enter– all chocoholics are welcome! I therefore dub Jean-Paul Hévin The Chocolate Messiah as he delivers us all to the promised land of sweets. It is well worth the trip to France just to try his Hévinly delights.
jenslittleblackbook.com 