Chocolate for Valentine's Day

With
Valentine's Day just around the corner, many of us wonder what kind of
goodies we can easily make as gifts for loved ones. Chocolates are the
perfect gift!  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.

 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.