IICCT Combined Level 1 and Level 2 Certificates in Chocolate Tasting

Description

An exciting new opportunity to study in person for your International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting (IICCT) Levels 1 and 2, in Chocolate Tasting. The IICCT Combined Level 1 and Level 2 Chocolate Tasting course takes you directly through to Intermediate level in a concentrated four or five-day workshop course. Level 1 will be taught on Thursday 20th March. On Friday 21st there is an optional supplementary Level 1 review and tasting and a visit to Duffy's Chocolate in Cleethorpes, the first UK micro-batch maker who has been making award-winning bean to bar chocolate since 2008. Level 2 will then be taught over three days, Saturday 22nd to Monday 24th March.

The course and teaching will be led by IICCT Teacher, Chocolate Educator and International Chocolate Judge, Kathryn Laverack and will be delivered at her teaching and tasting venue at The Mart, in the town centre of Louth. Louth is a traditional foodie destination in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds. It is also just a 25 minute drive away from Duffy’s Chocolate.

Level 1 provides an introduction to a sensorial approach to chocolate tasting and Level 2 intermediary course explores the world of fine and origin chocolate in greater depth, looking in detail at the styles of different chocolate makers and different approaches to chocolate making, from micro-batch to large scale. 

Course details

Level 1 (Thurs. 20th March)

Level 1 provides an introduction to a sensorial approach to chocolate tasting and a good grounding in chocolate tasting, including tasting of 9 or more different origin or blended fine dark chocolate bars, tasted in different forms for an understanding of aroma, length, texture and taste.

The first day finishes with a 60-minute multiple choice exam for Level 1 based on the course content. Certificates will be issued upon achieving a pass mark.

Supplementary Learning (Friday 21st March)

There is an optional opportunity to review your learning of Level 1 with a Q & A and tasting session between 11am and 12:30am. This will be followed by a visit to Duffy's Chocolate which will start at 2:00pm with transport leaving Louth at 1:30pm. We will be hosted by Duffy Sheardown and it will be an opportunity to see the bean-to-bar making process first hand and talk to an award winning chocolate maker about his processes and recipe decisions and his unique flavour expressions. The afternoon will also include comparative tasting exercises. The supplementary session and visit are designed to embed Level 1 learning and supplement the Level 2 learning on production scales and the micro-batch process. It is optional and supplementary to the taught Level 1 and Level 2 study days.

Level 2 (Saturday 22nd March - Monday 24th March)

Level 2 is held over an intense three days and provides fuller understanding of fine chocolate and its flavour possibilities.

The Level 2 intermediary course explores the world of fine and origin chocolate in greater depth, looking in detail at the styles of different chocolate makers and different approaches to chocolate making, from micro-batch to large scale. Treatment and flaws in cacao are examined as well as the chocolate production chain and how its elements contribute to flavour development.

The course explores chocolate history with an emphasis on taste and the current chocolate market. Over 30 chocolate bars and samples are tasted, with repeat tasting, profiling and blind tasting to gain a full understanding.

Level 2 introduces the Institute’s online chocolate profiling system, which will be used throughout the course working with laptops of tablets. Please bring with you a laptop of tablet to use throughout the course. 

The course finishes on the final day with a 60-minute multiple choice exam based on the course content and a 30-minute blind tasting test. Certificates will be issued upon achieving a pass mark.

What's included

Please let us know of any allergens and dietary requirements for the course and lunches provided on course days.

The course fee includes £50 for registration with our UK-based accreditor, FDQ for Level 1 and issue of an official Ofqual (UK Government) approved certificate for the “FDQ Level 1 Foundation Award in Chocolate Tasting“, should you pass the assessment and your IICCT Level 2 Certificate in Chocolate Tasting. 

Retakes will require an additional fee which will be charged in Euros and invoiced by IICCT directly 60€ (incl. VAT) for Level 1 and 100€ (incl. VAT) for Level 2. 

Who should take this course?

This course would be perfect for you if:

Entry Requirements

None. The Level 1 chocolate tasting course is open to all comers and is suitable for professionals and enthusiasts. Successful completion of Level 1 is required before a Level 2 certificate can be issued. 

Course Venue

You can travel to Louth by car, bus or train, the nearest railway stations are Grimsby Town, and Market Rasen. Contact Kathryn for any pre-booking enquiries and information on the venue, public transport options, parking and accommodation: email cocoaencounters@gmail.com.

Please note: the venue for this in-person course is situated on the second floor of a Victorian building, which does not have a lift. Please contact the course provider for further information or a copy of the accessibility statement. 

Reasonable and Adjustments and Special Considerations

The IICCT Reasonable Adjustments or Special Considerations Policy is available to download here https://www.chocolatetastinginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IICCT-Reasonable-Adjustments-and-Special-Considerations-Policy.pdfCombined Level 1 & Level 2

For further information on the IICCT visit: https://www.chocolatetastinginstitute.org/