What is the internationally known staple in history when it comes to candy? What have we been sending to troops for decades? What do women crave and men give to their one and only on Valentine’s Day? Chocolate is the answer to these (and most) questions! Chocolate can be our best friend at times and the go-to sweet tooth satisfier that everyone needs after a long day at the office. But the art of true, rich chocolate making has been lost on the Hershey-consuming masses; people who believe chocolate is anything you can buy at the grocery store in the check-out aisle.
Antoine Amrani, the 8-year veteran executive pastry chef at Le Bec Fin, is a secret insiders like to protect. Amrani has perfected his chocolate-making formula (no butter means its self life is up to 4 weeks only) and boxes up luxurious chocolate Rachel Ray buys for her mom and European chocolatiers ask for by name. You won’t find Amrani chocolate in stores (he refuses to sell to big stores because he can’t control the quality of his product when using big batches), but he is 40 minutes outside of Philadelphia–and giving classes.
Raised in Paris, Amrani has been around perfecting his talent since he was just 6 years old when he would help his mother make truffles. His natural and gifted talent progressed into making him one of the most desired and best pastry chefs in the world. Becoming one of the top chocolatiers in the world takes a lot of time, patience and training. Amrani worked extremely hard to become what he is known for today. With his training at the Ritz Escoffier in Paris and his many years working for master chocolatiers all across Europe, Amrani was prepared to take the once in a lifetime opportunity to become the executive pastry chef at Le Bec Fin. Since leaving Le Bec Fin, Amrani has been approached by Godiva but decided instead to open the Antoine Amrani Chocolates exclusive factory and store in Norristown.
Wine and chocolate tastings are offered in the same place Amrani has his “secret” room (where the magic of his eliteness comes to fruition) in addition to other workshops such as chocolate classes for kids (a portion of the profit benefits go to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) and adult chocolate pastry classes (see video below).
With his 100-percent recycled and carbon-neutral paper that is used for packaging his delectable chocolates, he reminds and encourages his customers to recycle the packages that are sent to them. Along with being environmentally active, Amrani is also devoted in getting supplies from local or small family owned sources–all of the supplies that he uses in making his chocolates are all from local farms, organic farms and small family owned growers around the world. Chocolate made from the purest, preservative-free chocolates is then added to the chocolate molds that have been custom made for him in Italy.
You won’t learn Amrani’s secret in one to two hours spent working hands-on with him during one of his pastry classes, but you’ll be side-by-side with one of the top pastry chefs in the country. If baking is not for you, than take a tour at the Antoine Amrani Chocolate factory (again, don’t even ask about the secret room). Tours take place on Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment only for $6 per person. Stopping by the factory will also get you extra treats; this is the only place to buy Amrani’s bake-at-home Souffle au Chocolates, dark chocolate-covered brownies, chocolate bark, chocolate hazelnuts and crystalizes almonds. The only thing you have to lose by tasting a jewel from one of Amrani’s decadent chocolate boxes (or licking the spoon at your next pastry class) is your addiction to Hershey bars. Be prepared to crave pure, Early Grey and Gran Marnier truffles for the rest of your life.
Antoine Amrani store and factory, 550 Foundry Road, East Norriton, 877-267-2644
AroundPhilly Staff
