Last weekend, I headed to the Telegraph Cruise Show at ExCel, to check out the latest in the world of cruising.
If you have your eye on a cruise, the Telegraph Cruise Show is the place to come and get inspired by the destinations and talk to a real person about life on board and the different routes.
You can also book a cruise at the show and take advantage of some exclusive discounts and deals.
The big players in the cruise industry such as Celebrity Cruises, Silversea and Viking were all present, but there were also some smaller boutique cruise liners for those looking for something a little different.
The highlight of the show was a cooking demonstration by master pâtissier Eric Lanlard in the Kitchen Theatre. He joined celebrity chefs James Martin and Atul Kochhar and wine expert Olly Smith as part of the cruise liner’s new Food Heroes programme.
Guests sailing on the P&O Britannia will be able to book daily cooking classes with the chefs onboard. There’s even the chance to dine with the chefs and ask them all of those burning cookery questions.
Eric Lanlard brings his expertise to the Market Cafe and gives Britannia’s afternoon tea experience a little je ne sais quoi. At the live cookery demo, Eric showed us how to make Brittany-style Chocolate Salted Caramel Truffles. Not only was it an informative and fun session, but we also got to taste the truffles at the end.
Here are some of Eric Lanlard’s top tips for superior chocolate-making:
– Never cook with ‘baking chocolate’, as it’s simply the factory off-cuts of average quality chocolate. Instead, head to the confectionery aisle and pick up a bar that you would usually eat.
– Bake with chocolate that has a maximum cocoa content of 70% – anything higher will be too bitter.
– Baking with margarine? Just don’t even go there! Your cakes will rise and become fluffy but won’t taste good.
– Try using proper salted butter with flakes of sea salt in baking to get that unique Brittany taste.
– Use chocolate truffle cases and pipe in the filling for a more professional look.
– Don’t be too snobby about chocolate – even Eric Lanlard often has a bar of Cadbury Fruit & Nut and a Lindt Bunny in his fridge.
Are you planning a cruise? Where would your dream cruise destinations be?
Chérie City was invited by Telegraph Cruise Show
Photos by Chérie City and Telegraph Cruise Show
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