James Close and Maria Guseva launch chocolate range

Chefs James Close and Maria Guseva of the two-Michelin-starred Raby Hunt in County Durham have launched their own limited edition collection of chocolates.

 

Chocolates by James Close and Maria Guseva, a selection of six bite-sized confections and two bars, is available to buy from the Fenwick Food Hall in Newcastle until 21 May, or while stocks last, with just 1,000 available to buy.

 

The chefs have chosen to unveil their ‘Chocolate with Attitude' as part of Fenwick's month-long Meet the Artisans food event.

 

The range comprises:
• Skull: honey, rosemary ganache and yuzu gel
• Buddha: white chocolate, pine nut, gianduja, crispy dacquoise and smoked Maldon salt
• Almond praline and caramelised cocoa nibs
• Raspberry gel and Sichuan pepper ganache
• Black truffle caramel with hazelnut and crispy feuilletine
• Milk chocolate Earl Grey ganache with bergamot gel
• Black truffle caramel chocolate bar
• White chocolate, mango and passion fruit bar

 

The individual chocolates cost £1.30 each with the tropical mango and passion fruit bar coming in at £3.50, and the black truffle caramel block at £4.

 

The collection has been inspired by the skull and buddha chocolates served at the end of the Raby Hunt's 15-course tasting menu.

 

Close said: "It brings together two premier North East brands in the Raby Hunt and Fenwick. We are delighted that such a renowned store has chosen to work with us and that we have been given this opportunity to exclusively showcase our rule-breaking chocolates for the next month."

 

Each piece is individually made by Guseva. She said: "Many hours of creativity have gone into crafting these deliciously distinctive, exuberant, irreverent, but always perfectly balanced chocolates. You could say we have gone rogue!"

 

Adam Barber, Fenwick Food Hall buyer, added: "It is a privilege to be able to bring such a unique product exclusively to our customers at Fenwick. James and Maria are extremely talented; their chocolates are exquisite."

 

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