The magic of Christmas sometimes starts a little early. This was the case this year, beginning in autumn.
Deep in a forest, a stag looking for food discovered a surprise placed on his path — an unknown fruit, oval in shape with a bumpy exterior. The stag rushed to show his find to his friend, the owl, a grand explorer and sophisticated gourmet.
- “It is a cocoa pod, the owl explained.
It is filled with cocoa beans.
- Cocoa beans? the stag exclaims in surprise.
To make chocolate?
- Exactly. But this cocoa pod is not just any cocoa pod. This one is magic! Plant it, make a wish, and you will see!”
The stag followed the owl’s advice. He buried the cocoa pod in a clearing. As the stag was gourmand, he wished to make chocolate.
The magic of Christmas sometimes starts a little early. This was the case this year, beginning in autumn.
Deep in a forest, a stag looking for food discovered a surprise placed on his path — an unknown fruit, oval in shape with a bumpy exterior. The stag rushed to show his find to his friend, the owl, a grand explorer and sophisticated gourmet.
At that moment, a majestic building rose from the earth with all kinds of machines: a bean sorter, a roaster, a cocoa cracker, a kneader, a conche, and an enrober sprung up at the same time as the beans from multiple origins — all in a bright and grandiose castle.
- "Now you’re the head of a Manufacture de Chocolat! exclaims the owl.
You know what you have to do!
- But how do I start? asked the stag.
Chocolate doesn’t make itself!
- You are right. Begin by selecting your ingredients. Let your senses guide you. Don’t add too much sugar so that the flavors can express their strength."
So the stag went off to explore the entire forest. He collected the best ingredients: almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts, apples, currants and black currants; spices, thyme, linden, and vanilla. He brought together the most delicate and also the most surprising aromas. Then, two weeks before Christmas, he returned to his Manufacture with all the carefully selected ingredients.
- "My turn to play! he said.
I have 15 days to create the best chocolate recipes! 15 days… that’s long and short and the same time. When it’s a question of inventing new recipes, it’s very short!"
The stag, however, was clever. He created a “dream team” by surrounding himself with his friends, the squirrels. They were not afraid of making mistakes and starting again. They were patient. One week before Christmas and his chocolate was already delicious.
- "It could be better! he said"
They continued working. His friends helped him night and day.
Drawn by the wonderful smell of chocolate and following the owl’s advice, two new companions joined the stag at the Manufacture.
- "Your chocolate inspires me, admitted the young bear.
I’d like to make some ice cream with it.
- I like the delicacy of your chocolate, sang the robin.
What if I used it to make biscuits?"
So all together, they prepared the most beautiful of celebrations.
- "Christmas is coming, announced the stag.
Let’s invite all the animals of the forest to celebrate!"
On Christmas Night, snowfall powdered the castle. Everyone was there for the festivities. Never had anyone seen a celebration like this one. The owl, perched on the roof, participated in the party. Between two biscuits, it smoothed its feathers. Taking some more ice cream, he nodded his head with satisfaction. Biting into yet another ganache, it closed its eyes to taste all the flavors. In its beak, the chocolate expressed all the magic of Christmas.
- "Mission accomplished! he finished by saying to the stag.
Thanks to you and your companions, the magical cocoa pod gave birth to the beautiful Manufactures Alain Ducasse adventure."
THE MANUFACTURES
CHRISTMAS TALE
in order of appearance,
The deer
Quentin Francis-Gaigneux
HEAD OF ALAIN DUCASSE CHOCOLATE MANUFACTURE
The owl
Alain Ducasse
The bear
Matteo Casone
HEAD OF THE ALAIN DUCASSE MANUFACTURE ICE CREAM
The robin
Flora Davies
HEAD OF THE ALAIN DUCASSE BISCUIT MANUFACTURE
CREATED BY
Text
Alex Cousseau
Illustration
Jean Dalin
Design
Soins Graphiques
PRODUCED BY LES MANUFACTURES ALAIN DUCASSE
