Chocolate for the Holidays

With the
holidays just around the corner, many of us wonder what kind of goodies we can
easily make as gifts for family and friends. Great alternatives to cookies are
chocolates.  Long time chef and
chocolate expert Maria Brandriff will demonstrate both some decadent truffles
and some healthier chocolate treats in a program entitled Chocolate For the Holidays.  Recipes and ample samples will be
available.  This program has been
funded by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

 Maria
Brandriff has been Assistant Director of the Cheshire Public Library for the
past 36 years. This program is her last at the library before she retires. Of
course, she does hope to return as “The Chocolate Lady” in the future!

 Ms. Brandriff’s interest in fine cooking
and baking came from growing up in a Ukrainian household where
Viennese-inspired tortes and confections dominated every holiday.  Since then, Ms. Brandriff has
experimented with the traditional recipes and has come up with her own
variations.  She has also become
more and more involved with the intricacies of working with chocolate. At
holiday time she produces hundreds of chocolate truffle candies, which she
shares with family and friends. 
Ms. Brandriff completed the Certificate of Gastronomy program at the
University of New Haven in 2003. 
In early 2004 she had the opportunity to travel to the city of Arles in
France for an intensive 3 day apprenticeship with a noted Provencal chocolatier.
Ms Brandriff was also the featured chef at the Chef’s Table series at Zinc Restaurant in New Haven.

Although
this program is free and open to the public, pre-registration is necessary, as
attendance is limited to 50 participants. Please register on line at www.cheshirelibrary.com
or call the library at (203) 272-2245.