Inside a Chocolate Day at Patrick Roger
When world-renowned chocolate maker Patrick Roger (pron. pat-reek row-jzay) and his sister asked if I wanted to come « play » out at the factory just south of Paris last month, how could I say no?
The Meilleur Ouvrier de France Chocolatier is known for his gorgeous signature aqua packaging (dubbed the “new” Tiffany blue), high quality chocolates and whimsical chocolate sculptures on display in the boutique windows. Inspired by nature around him, he is a combination of Tim Burton and Willy Wonka. I hope that you enjoy this photographic journey into the world of Patrick Roger as much as I did being there.
Patrick's car shows that big ideas and personal expressions truly can come in small packages.
Patrick's Fun Mini Copper Painted in his Signature Color
Patrick Roger's Philosophy
The Boutique at a rare moment, usually, there is a line of people oggling and jostling for front row space to see what Patrick has come up with next.
Patrick Roger St. Germain des Pres Boutique
Cacao beans piled on the counter before being roasted and winnowed
One of Patrick's "signature" treats is called Praliné ... chocolate covered squares of chopped almonds (coarse on the top, pureéd smooth & creamy center).
Here, Rick and his colleague pour out the almonds to cool in starting the process towards making this mouth-watering treat.
Signature Praline Squares
The other "ooh and ahh" treat from the creative train rolling through Patrick's brain screaming "FUN!" are these half-moon shaped liquid center "colors" flavored with blueberry (blue), lime (green) and lemon (white/yellow)
The Guys Cooling Out With Color Trays
As an "extra" treat last month, the blue & yellow were created specifically for the Princess of Sweden (to resemble her country's flag) and the center row of yellow & brown which were supplied by Patrick's direct source for honey. More on that below!
Swedish Flag, Honey, Lime Colors
Marzipan figures are one of Patrick's joys - thinking of little creatures throughout the year that coincide with summer (schools of fish), end of summer farm animals like ducks and pigs, and December trees and Santas.
Shaping Marzipan Animal Figures
Marzipan Ducks with Almond Beaks
Marzipan Christmas Trees & Santas in the Boutique
Not many people know that aside from being a well-known chocolate maker, his facility in Sceaux is surrounded by a fruit, vegetable and herb garden where he also raises honey from his bee hives. From these he seasonally flavors not only his chocolate but fills jars to sell his honey and jams. My favorite jams right now are the rhubarb and pumpkin.
Pumpkin Sculpture Guards the Patch
Patrick's bees feed on flowers and herbs such as thyme and mint.
Patrick's Bee Hives in the Garden
Chocolate Inspired Bee Hives for the Boutique Windows
Mozambique and other countries in Africa have long been a favorite holiday for Patrick. He sat on a hillside mesmorized while watching the elephants maneuver their native land in quiet and marveled in their peace. He became obsessed with various forms of elephants in chocolate. These large cubes were designed to have you guessing... the first shows the design on the side which not many people could "see" what it was. When the cube was turned just slightly on its corner, the three dimensional elephants come to life.
Chocolate Elephant Cubes for the Boutique Windows
In contrast, this elephant was created with only a series of lines - again, difficult to see when just facing one side, but evident on the corner.
Lesson? "Don't always look at life face on... it just might surprise you when you change your view."
Both creations were then coated in cacao powder to give the illusion of African clay and soil.
Another Chocolate Elephant Design
These chocolate "dancers" threw themselves into their work, drawing fits of giggles from customers for weeks!
Chocolate
Again, inspired by nature... gentle beautiful animals are consistent in Patrick's themes.
Chocolate Bear
Chocolate Penguins
His most recognized sculpture is the plantation worker below...
Chocolate Cacao Plantation Worker
This Christmas tree took over a month to make, is 10 metres high and weighs four tons. Why? Right now he is auctioning off parts of it for charity.
10 Meter High Chocolate Christmas Tree
Sugar is used to create a snow effect on the limbs and base... and miniature versions of this tree are available in the boutiques.
Base of Christmas Tree Covered in Sugar Snow
Packing Chocolate Boxes for Christmas
My friend and chocolatier Rick from St. Louis was lucky enough to get to spend one month non-stop working side by side with Patrick.
Patrick and Rick Jordan
Last night, the new Christmas displays arrived and Patrick and I laughed while taking pictures of Santa and his reindeers from the street being loaded into the windows.
He is just like one of the kids smiling on the sidewalk while looking in, even though he's been creating the sculptures for weeks.
New Christmas Window Display at the Boutique
You can find your nearest Patrick Roger boutique and order chocolates on line: www.patrickroger.com
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