Chocolate and coffee pairing program at the Agawam Library

July 31, 2019 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The heavenly aroma of chocolate and espresso will fill the air on Aug. 7 when Kim Larkin brings her chocolate pairing program to the West Springfield Public Library. Larkin’s presentation, “A Perky Pairing,” explores the relationship between coffee and chocolate.

The roughly 45 people who attend will get to delve into the history of chocolate and coffee, famous entrepreneurs in the industries, and the health benefits of coffee and dark chocolate. Then, participants will have a chance to experience the pairings of chocolate and affogato, which is a scoop of gelato with a shot of hot coffee over it. She also has an espresso bar. At the end of the presentation, there is a trivia quiz and poetry.

The program runs from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and is free to the public, though registration is required. Larkin, the owner of Klassic Kreations, offers several chocolate-centric presentations, including “A Pleasant Pairing,” exploring tea and chocolate; “A Perfect Pairing,” which looks at wine, cheese, and chocolate; a “Celtic Chocolate Program,” an exhibition focused on Irish pairings; and “Mighty Aphrodite,” which pairs dark chocolates with “fun aphrodisiac foods.” She also has a “Teen Chocolate/Make and Take” program.

A licensed chocolatier for 12 years and art teacher for 20 years, Larkin teaches at libraries, schools, retirement communities, and private functions in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.

Aside from chocolate, Larkin offers sessions for participants ages 5 and up on jewelry making, collages, art, “superfoods,” and aromatherapy. She is currently studying for her national certification in aromatherapy.

Larkin said people are pretty equally attracted to her art presentations as they are to the ones about chocolate. In fact, her journey into the world of chocolate was based in art.

“I was basically attracted to the detailed molds,” Larkin said. “They’re like little edible pieces of art.”

Larkin said it all started with chocolate bulldog molds. She started making the bulldogs and had the idea to reach out to the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale since the university’s mascot is a bulldog. To her surprise, they agreed to buy her chocolates. Larkin now sells the hotel about 800 chocolate bulldogs every year for the Yale graduation.

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