FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE!

Okay, I know I've already posted this week, but there's something else I just can't wait to share...especially for all you lovers of fine chocolate!!  You may have had enough of all things chocolate over Easter, but I personally, can never have too much of it!

So you can imagine my excitement when I was invited on my first official "food blogger" business...to attend the opening of a HAND-MADE CHOCOLATE CAFE in Balmain :)

Local Sydney-siders, Judy and Ian, officially opened their delightful cafe Sucre on Monday, but a few lucky people (including me) got to take it for a test-run the day before.

Sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know, as the old saying goes; and since my brother was the very talented architect who designed the cafe, it was inevitable that I got to play VIP for the day!  This is my brother, Vince Trad, with owner Ian...

This is me talking to renowned chocolate maker, Judy...

Judy came to Australia from New Orleans in 1985.  Both her and Ian worked in the corporate world in hospitality and retail for many years, but in 2001 decided to start their own business in country Australia.  They purchased acreage in Mudgee, where they grew grapes and olives, which resulted in the production of their "Oakfield Estate" wine label and award winning olive oil range.  They also complemented their store with a handmade chocolate range, created by Judy herself.

After only the first few minutes of conversing with Ian and Judy, their passion for chocolate became very clear.  Using only the best, natural and most enticing ingredients such as lavender, coconut, cherries, cranberries, pecans and highest quality Belgian chocolate, Judy has successfully created an irresistible range.  Her aim is to produce exquisite chocolates with luscious textures, unusual free-form shapes and tantalising flavours...and one taste of a Sucre chocolate is proof of Judy's success in achieving this!

It was a challenge to choose, but I wanted to bring you my favourite of the day without beating around the bush...it was an indulgent white chocolate delight, with almonds and cranberries.  Judy believes that it's important to keep flavours as natural and organic as possible, so as not to confuse the palate.  And I can tell you, my palate was far from confused.  In fact, it was in a state of absolute bliss as soon as I took the first bite...

I'd witnessed the Sucre cafe in-the-making...

....but nothing could prepare me for how deliciously sweet it was going to be in reality.  As soon as I stepped through those double doors, it was like letting a child loose in a candy store...

I was in chocolate heaven - wall to wall chocolate, literally...

I couldn't wait to try a bit of everything on offer.  Richly smooth, sugar-free hot chocolate (and you would never know there was no added sugar)...

Which could only be surpassed, if that's even possible, by this most tantalising of warm beverages - coconut and white hot chocolate.  Everyone should try one of these at least once in a lifetime...

The most amazing Chocolate Rocks had to be endlessly refilled - I think it's because we all just had to keep tasting them to check that they really weren't rocks (or maybe that was just an excuse)...

And the Rocky Road-inspired "Heavenly Hash" with pecans was definitely true to its name - heavenly...

I'm not a fan of Chilli Chocolate, but my chilli-loving brother assured me it was THE BEST he's ever tasted...

Meanwhile, we were only half-way through and as you can see, I was still pretty happy...

And so was everyone else...

As I mingled, I observed lots of guests eating what I discovered to be a Sucre specialty, a sweet Beignet, which is a French pastry - simple, but melt-in-your mouth irresistible.  I actually got to venture into the kitchen to watch them being made...

There is something for every taste at Sucre - with treats other than chocolate on the menu and great coffee too.  I mustn't forget to mention a very cute addition to the Sucre range, specifically for animal lovers - handmade doggie treats!  And when Judy revealed what was in them, they sounded good enough for human consumption to me...

It's no surprise that most people bought samplers to take home - it was that feeling of not wanting the deliriously unforgettable chocolate experience to end...

Judy and Ian, thank you for doing Sydney chocolate lovers a great favour by opening Sucre.  I'll be seeing you again real soon, and I look forward to more of these little gems popping up around the place...we can never have too much chocolate!! :)

(By the way, I didn't get paid to do this post...I just love chocolate!)