©Photo Courtesy
Paule Ménard-Pelletier and her father Carl Pelletier have both feet in chocolate full time!
Annemont-based company Couleur Chocolat is a finalist in two categories of the Lauriers de la Gastronomie gala, which recognizes the best in the field of good food in Quebec.
An article by Dominique Fortier published in
L'Avantage gaspésien .
The chocolate shop created by Carl Pelletier is first in the running in the "Artisan of the Year" category. He is competing against two chocolatiers from Montreal, a charcutière from La Pocatière, and a butcher and charcutier, also from Montreal. This category aims to reward creators of original concepts, flavor experts, and culinary artists.
Carl Pelletier is known for his original creations, such as his chocolate carrot, which contains small praline and nougatine coconuts. Other examples include his forest chocolates, which are enhanced with fir, caraway, and poplar essences. His magic ball, which contains chocolate pistoles and marshmallows, "magically" transforms into hot chocolate.
As for the second category in which Couleur Chocolat is competing, it's the gastronomic tourism award. Here, the focus is on the customer's experience during their visit to one of the nominated establishments. As for Couleur Chocolat, the company took a major turn in 2019 by becoming an Économusée, a place where it's possible to buy chocolates but also observe the chocolatiers at work, enjoy a virtual immersion experience, and learn more about the business and its artisans.
Carl Pelletier and his daughter Paule Ménard-Pelletier, at the heart of this important change, find themselves fighting against the ephemeral canteen of Colombe St-Pierre, Cassis Monna et filles of Île d'Orléans, Germain Hôtels of Charlevoix as well as the Cantine Pollens, nectars et miels of Anicet in Ferme-Neuve.
In addition to Couleur Chocolat, other Gaspé companies are in the running for an award, including Océans de saveurs by Antoine Nicolas, chef Christophe Mamelonet of Maison du Pêcheur and Benoit Couillard of Brasserie Auval.
The winners will be announced at the grand gala evening, which will be held virtually on May 24. The event will be hosted by Christian Bégin.
Let us recall that in 2019, Fourchette bleue d'Exploramer was crowned company of the year while the gala was in its second year of existence.
