Founded by Lebanese native Maya Maalouf Kenaan, M de Noir Chocolatier was chosen among the 25 best chocolatiers in the world at the Salon du Chocolat Paris in France.
The Salon du Chocolat is the world’s largest event dedicated to chocolate and cocoa. The chocolate exhibit is found in 60 different countries, with over 500 participants all over the world.
Salon du Chocolat opens its door for a savory chocolate tasting and chocolate-themed shows, including catwalks, for 5 days in 5 continents all over the world, including Lebanon.
It almost feels like living in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie, only better, having the Lebanese M de Noir as one of the best chocolatiers in the world.
According to M de Noir’s official website, “Born from a flame that grew over the years, M de Noir offers an assortment of noble confections made with grand chocolates and opulent ingredients and crafted with the utmost care.”
This, however, is not Kenaan’s first win. M de Noir was the first chocolatier from the Middle-East to win in 2014 the Espoir Etranger Award of the Club des Croqueurs du Chocolat at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, France.
Maya also holds kids’ ateliers on Saturday mornings where children can learn all about chocolate, make their own chocolate bars, and decorate them with their own toppings of their choices.
M de Noir’s signature chocolate is Chocolate Bon with Raspberry Ganache. “I told myself that it’s never too late to do what you really like,” Maya says.
Thus, after a career in Marketing, she enrolled in courses at the Ritz Escoffier in Paris and Valrhona in Tain l’Hermitage, a small village near Lyon.
Maya also believes that cooking should be accessible and frank. “A meal doesn’t have to be fancy and elaborate to look and taste amazing. The simplest recipes executed in the right way make for food that is quite simply divine.”
Craving some sweets, anyone? I know I am.
