Pâtissier
Chef Sebastien Beline CHOCOLATE IS LIKE LIFE IT S ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT 4 5
THE GOOD LIFE Le Mans France eponymous race has put the town of Le Mans on the proverbial world landscape. The town is also the birthplace of one Sebastien Beline. As a young boy, Sebastien grew up surrounded not only by the sights and sounds of endurance racing but also the flavors and fragrances of chocolate. Not just any chocolate influenced Sebastien, but the chocolate from his family s chocolate shop, Chocolatier Beline. Here young Sebastien honed his talents which led him to become a world-renowned chef, the fourth generation in his family. Always the perpetual student, Mr. Beline perfected his craft at the famous La Patisserie Laduree in Paris. Chef Sebastien Beline has garnered industry recognition including being named in the exclusive, Top 25 List of Chocolate Makers in the Guide des Croquers de Chocolat. In 2001, Mr. Beline migrated to the United States to join Astor Chocolate as its Master Chocolatier. Today, 15 years later, Chef Beline has catapulted Astor Chocolate into a world class purveyor of fine luxury chocolates. His unparalleled, acute ability to marry unique flavor profiles with Belgian chocolate is what sets the company apart. 6 7
CURATING TRADITION To create our chocolates, luxury Belgian chocolate is skillfully incorporated with fine ingredients procured from all over the world. Belgian chocolate stands on a stage all its own. It starts with the curation of cocoa beans that are fermented and dried, then roasted, followed by cracking and winnowing. After this, the nibs must be refined. Those roasted nibs are heated to melt into chocolate liquor which is then blended with sugar and milk. Chocolate, as life, is as much about the journey as it is the destination. The process of making chocolate is equal to the quality of the chocolate. Any slight alteration can greatly impact the texture, taste, or the snap of a rich intense piece of chocolate. The most discerning of palates have truly come to appreciate the art and craftsmanship that Astor Chocolate conveys with each and every bite. 8 9
THE ALCHEMY OF FLAVOR Chocolate is the perfect canvas for creativity. At Astor Chocolate we continue to reimagine the culinary experience with classic favorites like Almond or Raspberry to more emerging flavor trends like Red Velvet Cake or Jalapeño Peanut. Blending chocolates with unique flavor profiles requires a superior level of aptitude. Each flavor profile is carefully blended with precision to showcase the natural fare of the ingredients to reflect against the appropriate cacao percentage for a clean, yet sophisticated, palatable offering. Paying homage to modern gourmet couture, centric to Chef Beline s emphasis, continues to position Astor Chocolate as an industry thought leader. 10 11
INDULGE... THE ART OF TASTING CHOCOLATE Tasting chocolate, like any gourmet indulgence, is a culinary odyssey of epic proportions. It is also a very unique and personal experience based on a myriad of discerning palates. Connoisseurs enjoy a wide variety of flavors that traverse the spectrum of taste. How it melts on the tongue is determined by the smoothness of a well-tempered chocolate which will softly melt, while a darker bar with a high cacao percentage and acidity level will unfold more slowly as you taste the flavor accents. The inclusions or filling may further enhance the flavor, but all should melt together fluidly. 12 13
HANDCRAFTED SIGNATURE BY LE BELGE 1. 4. Our signature handcrafted truffles are an artful collection of delicious flavor profiles created by combining pure flavor infusions with rich ganache and luscious filling with decadent pure Belgian chocolate. The perfect balance of taste and texture. 6. 2. 3. 5. 7. 9. 8. 10. 12. Offered in: 1. Espresso 2. Passion Fruit 3. Lemon Ganache 4. Caramel 5. Buttered Sea Salt 6. Caramel Ganache 7. Peanut Butter 8. Crunchy Hazelnut Crepe 9. Raspberry Pomegranate 10. Coconut Ganache 11. Tiramisu 12. Champagne Black Currant 11. 14 15
STUDIO 761 REDUX BY LE BELGE 9. The follow-up to our original Studio 761 line, Redux takes a handcrafted approach in development with a nod towards the classic world of truffles in fun yet inventive flavor profiles. 8. Offered in: 7. Tiramisu 8. Citron 9. Vanilla Cream 10. Hazelnut Orange Peel 11. Raspberry Pomegranate 12. Buttered Sea Salt 10. 12. 7. 11. 16 17
4. 6. 1. STUDIO 761 BY LE BELGE 5. Offered in: 1. Red Velvet Cake Sleek elegance defines the Studio 761 collection. Brilliantly crafted by Chef Beline with an artistic blend of 2. Hazelnut Espresso 3. Strawberry Balsamic 18 pure Belgian chocolate and the latest flavor trends, this 4. Coconut select line of truffles is both distinctive and exceptional. 2. 5. Pistachio 6. Caramel Sea Salt 19 3.
SUBLIME BY LE BELGE An exquisite selection of innovative truffles handcrafted to perfection using the finest Belgian chocolate and the purest ingredients. A heavenly chocolate experience that can only be described as sublime. 5. 7. 4. Offered in: 2. 1. Passion Fruit Ganache 2. Sea Salt Ganache 3. 3. Hazelnut Praline with Cinnamon Ganache 6. 4. Chai Tea Ganache 5. Key Lime 6. Dark Ganache with Raspberry Gelate 7. Praline with Espresso Infused Caramel 8. Cacao Nibs with Vanilla & Hazelnut Ganache (not pictured) 1. 20 21
2. 3. 13. SOLAIRE & TRADITIONAL BY LE BELGE 1. 4. 5. 6. A collection of uniquely designed 10. 8. chocolate truffles with a fresh organic aesthetic approach to design and taste. Taking inspiration from the rolling hills and vineyards of Napa Valley. This delicious selection of unique flavors speaks to a Solaire Offered in: 9. redefined approach to the art of fine 1. Hazelnut and Crepe 11. chocolate making, borrowing from both 2. Raspberry Ganache classic and inventive gourmet trends. Traditional Offered in: 3. Cappuccino Tiramisu Ganache 7. Caramel Sea Salt 11. Jamaica Rum 4. Vanilla Bean Ganache 8. Dark Chocolate Ganache 12. French Vanilla Ganache 5. Fig Ganache 9. Cognac Ganache 13. Caramel Ganache 22 23 6. Caramel with Sea Salt 10. French Vanilla Ganache 14. Cognac Ganache 7. 12. 14.
CUPCAKE TRUFFLES Cupcakes made out of chocolate need we say more. Chef Beline reimagines a classic favorite in three delectable flavors. Offered in: 1. Dark Chocolate Devil s Food Cake 2. Milk Chocolate Red Velvet Cake 3. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ganache (SEASONAL) 24 25
BOUTONS An inspired French chocolate delicacy, our Boutons are a sophisticated choice. These thin wafer like chocolates are created with classic decadent flavors. Offered In: 1. Vanilla Dark Chocolate 2. Mocha Milk Chocolate 26 27
SHELL GAME Indulge gourmet style and take your dessert creativity to the next level. When looking to impress, our pure Belgian dark chocolate dessert shells and cups are sure to keep you in the game. Offered In: 1. Round 2. Petite Round 3. Square 4. Mini Liquor Cups 28 29
We knew when Sebastien arrived we were getting not only a chef but an artisan. What we were pleasantly surprised to find out was his penchant for humility and listening to the customer. It is these rare qualities in tandem with his innate gift for making chocolate that make us feel so blessed to have him as part of our company. - David Grunhut President, Astor Chocolate