William Curley

A profoundly pleasurable book which offers that rare combination of daring, accomplished technique illuminated with extraordinary simplicity and clarity. His latest must-have book will inspire and delight.' Michel and Alain Roux Patisserie reflects award-winning chocolatier, William Curley's passion for taking classic recipes and modernizing them with his own innovations. Creating top-quality patisserie is often seen as something only a trained professional can do, however with patisserie equipment now easily accessible to all, William hopes to unscramble the mystique of his exquisite creations and get everyone making perfect patisserie in the home kitchen. Patisserie processes are broken down into a step-by-step guide complete with expert knowledge to produce flawless creations every time. A series of basic recipes - covering sponges, creams and custards, pastry and syrups - will provide a solid foundation in patisserie techniques as well as inspiration for aspiring creative pastry chefs. At the same time, some classic recipes, from Rhum Baba to Tarte Alsacienne, are given a modern adaptation using William's unique blend of flavours. William has always had a long-term ambition to bring patisserie to this country as an accessible, affordable yet uncompromising luxury. His main focus is to arouse and surprise the taste buds. A pleasure that he hopes he can bring to everyone, through the recipes in this gorgeous book.

At one time, cocoa beans were prized so highly they were used as currency and only the privileged could enjoy what the Aztecs knew as 'xocoatl'. Nowadays, high-quality chocolate is widely available in many different delicious forms to an increasingly discerning market. In this delightfully decadent book, the UK's premier chocolatier William Curley presents the ultimate master class for all things chocolate. Couture Chocolate first examines the origins of one of the world's most popular foods -explaining the method of creating chocolate, how its quality depends to a large extent on the variety of bean used, and the differences between plain, milk and white chocolates. It reveals how some of today's most popular flavours -such as vanilla and chilli- were those favoured by the pioneering Aztec chocolatiers centuries ago. In the chocolate master class, William shares his techniques and most mouth-watering recipes, starting with the basics: tempering and making a bar of chocolate; advice on how to add exotic flavours like rosemary or raspberry; and introducing different textures. Once those skills have been mastered, it's time to tackle some of his incredible creations...His delectable recipes are helpfully grouped into sections: 'Truffles and Filled Chocolates' examines the science behind creating the perfect truffle, making ganache and adding fabulous flavours; 'Couture Chocolates' looks at experimental (but delicious) fillings such as apricot and wasabi, sea salt caramel, black rice vinegar and thyme; 'Bouches and Small Delights' covers blackcurrant tea cake, chocolate rochers and millionaire shortbread; 'Patisserie' explores chocolate and praline Paris Brest, chocolate financier with passion fruit curd, chocolate mille-fuille and more; 'Cakes and Biscuits' boasts chocolate and pistachio cake, macaroons, sable and chocolate rosette with orange ganache; and finally 'Chocolate Ices, Drinks, Sauces and Spread' looks at a huge variety, including Gianduja chocolate, Tahitian vanilla and golden chestnut. With its unique recipes and sumptuous photographs, Couture Chocolate delivers a lifetime's worth of culinary excitement and experimentation into your kitchen. With William Curley as a guide, you need never eat a bland dessert again.