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Glorious Chocolate

What do you love most about chocolate?

The effect it has on people. Any young man who can make a chocolate cake is never lonely on a Saturday night.

What’s your favourite chocolate guilty pleasure?

I find it hard to say no to those Mozart chocolate marzipan balls. Yum.

What food or drink do you think best accompanies chocolate?

Pedro Ximinez sherry is always a standby...but it really depends which chocolate you're eating.

The Hunter Valley Food and Wine Month 2012

Where do you think the best chocolate comes from?

I have a fascination with with the savoury notes in French chocolate, but my kitchen is full of Callebaut.

What is your favourite chocolate dish to cook?

Nico Ladenis's baked chocolate tart - the apogee of fine art, great technique and delicious attention to detail.

Tasty Wine and Strawberry jam from Hunter Valley Gardens

What is your favourite part of the Hunter Valley Gardens’ Festival?

The opportunity to share ideas - both the chance to cook for a bunch of really great people who love food, and to see what the best in Australia have to offer in terms of dessert and chocolate.

What can people expect from your show?

A range of things - from the everyday recipes that every cook ought to know, but made simple for even easier cooking, right through to some interesting savoury approaches to integrating chocolate.

What is the most inventive thing you’ve ever done with chocolate?

White anchovies with horseradish and smoked bitter chocolate sorbet. Believe me, it was a triumph!!!

Fast Ed & Chocolate

Ed Halmagyi is one of the resident chefs at the Hunter Valley Gardens, and will be hosting shows featuring inspiring chefs at this year's Hunter Valley Gardens' Chocolate Festival on 7-8 July. The shows will run twice daily at 11.30am - 12.15pm and 1.30pm - 2.15pm. Head to the main stage at the Hunter Valley Gardens for the show which will also showcase some of Fast Ed's chocolate demos! For more information check out www.hvg.com.au.

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