Ambrosia in Portland: A Chocolatier from Heaven

 

There is a certain sensation that comes with the flavor and aromas of our childhoods. Nostalgic recollections of your 4-year-old self, sitting with a clump of play-doh in the middle of your living room, breathing in the doughy goodness of endless, carefree days. For Catherine Wiersema, chocolate and traditional French candies bring not only comforting childhood memories, they’ve become her grownup passion. Appropriate, then, that her delectable business is christened “Chocolats Passion”, bringing a tangible element to that nostalgic sentiment. “I want people to experience what I experienced as a child with the chocolate shops in France”, Wiersema shared, as I attempted not to gobble the incredible chocolates she proffered. “Try this, please”, Wiersema wants her patrons to sample the work she’s created, not to feel an obligation to purchase, but to ensure we are happy with what we’re sampling, and in-turn creating a clientele base that will not only return time and time again, but who will also spread the word and the wealth of French chocolate to others. 

 

Crafting her chocolate creations within the shop on Brackett Street, Wiersema starts her day at 4 in the morning to ensure her preservative-free, single source chocolate meets her own stringent qualifications before they make their way to the patron. As for the French candies, those are imported, and are childhood favorites, of course. “Back to the source”, Wiersema shares as she hands me a sample of Nutella before trying her own, handmade hazelnut spread. Superior falls short as a descriptor. I would have bought 5 jars, but there is a limited supply of them – and chocolates – as she makes everything there, in-house. 

 

There is definitely an element of exclusivity when it comes to her chocolates. No one else in Portland is doing this: If you desire traditional, imported French candies, and handmade, authentic French chocolat, complete with vegan options, then this Chocolatier is for you.  Wiersema seems to inherently understand the importance of continued education as well, which is refreshing. In a world of ego-centricities, she doesn’t allow her capabilities and talents to stagnate her growth. She recently studied in Montréal under a world-class chocolatier to broaden her knowledge and refine her craft further. 

 

Taking the respect of education further, Wiersema has welcomed the children of Portland into her shop, and offered lessons as part of a field trip experience to the budding chocolatiers of tomorrow, for both middle and elementary school ages. I am certain if the opportunity arose, she would welcome high schoolers as well, because this is an individual who acknowledges the importance of community, continued sharing of skills for sustainability of the craft throughout generations, and perhaps at the root of all this, the importance of choclat in the lives of us all. 

Find Chocolat Passions at 189 Brackett Street in Portland, Maine. Cattycorner from the elementary school. Bon Sejour. L’amore. Chocolat. 

 

Truly, Victoria