News

Barry Callebaut opens Moscow Chocolate Academy

Barry Callebaut has opened a new Chocolate Academy centre in Moscow. In 2008 Barry Callebaut opened its first training centre for chocolate professionals on the premises of its chocolate factory in Chekhov, 60 km south of Moscow. Relocated now to the city centre of Moscow, the new Chocolate Academy will remain a unique training centre […]

Barry Callebaut has opened a new Chocolate Academy centre in Moscow.

In 2008 Barry Callebaut opened its first training centre for chocolate professionals on the premises of its chocolate factory in Chekhov, 60 km south of Moscow. Relocated now to the city centre of Moscow, the new Chocolate Academy will remain a unique training centre in Russia. It is, says Barry Callebaut, the only such centre to offer a diverse range of seminars, demonstrations, theoretical courses and practical workshops, designed to inspire artisans and culinary professionals, including chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakery and other chocolate experts as well as culinary professionals working in hotels, restaurants and the catering business. The centre will also serve as a meeting place for chocolate professionals encouraging the exchange of technical expertise among each other.

The new Chocolate Academy centre will showcase the knowledge accumulated over more than 150 years by Barry Callebaut’s global Gourmet chocolate brands Callebaut (Belgium artisanal chocolate), Cacao Barry (French artisanal chocolate) and Carma (Swiss artisanal chocolate).

French chef Wielfried Hauwell will share his experience in the art of chocolate and act as the Head of the new Chocolate Academy centre in Moscow.

“With our relocated, modernized training centre, we aim to empower all chocolate professionals in the region to create and express themselves with all the chocolates we are offering – way beyond the technical barriers of this wonderful working material”, said Hauwell. “Chefs and confectioners hardly find an occasion or a central place in Russia where they can further develop their skills, learn from experienced expert teachers and exchange new ideas among each other. Our new training centre for chocolate now centrally located in Russia’s capital Moscow will serve as such a spot. It is a unique place where we are cultivating an atmosphere of curiosity, creativity and inspiration for both professionals and chocolate lovers.”

To move the Chocolate Academy centre from Chekhov to Moscow is for Frederic Trombert, Vice President of Barry Callebaut’s Gourmet division in the EEMEA region, an important element in further strengthening the company’s footprint both in Russia as well as in the Group’s EEMEA region.

“We are convinced our new Chocolate Academy centre will become the beating chocolate heart for chefs and foodies not only in the Moscow area, but all over Russia and also across all CIS countries,” said Trombert. “This will bring us even closer to our Gourmet customers, helping them to further build and strengthen their know-how to become a master of their craft while using our products.” Trombert adds: “We want to be here because it is our aim to support the excellence at the highest level. To inspire craftsmen, to discover new technics, new tastes, new combinations and, ultimately, we also want to provide the knowledge platform for young talents.”

Barry Callebaut’s new Chocolate Academy centre at Novoyasenevskiy prospect 2A in the South of Moscow occupies almost 300 square metres (including the office for the Russian Gourmet sales team). The spacious workshop centre features a professional kitchen with all the equipment and utensils one would find in the world’s best schools. Among the official partners of the Chocolate Academy centre in Moscow are producers of professional equipment and utensils such as Irinox, Selmi, de Buyer and many more. The new chocolate training centre can also be used by third parties and rented out as a venue for events, tastings and official receptions.

The new Chocolate Academy centre in Moscow is integrated into a network of 18 other training centres of the Barry Callebaut Group all around the world. About 38,000 chocolate professionals and artisans receive training at these modern Chocolate Academy centres every year.