Pastry chef Susan Notter, Rhonda Kave, owner of Roni-Sue’s Chocolates, and New York City’s Li-Lac Chocolates will be honored as Legends of Chocolate during the 2019 Big Chocolate Show.
Legends of Chocolate recognizes those whose work has had a significant impact on the world of chocolate in the areas of science, chocolate making, innovation, education, awareness and corporate social responsibility. Notter, Kave and Li-Lac Chocolates are the third class of Legends of Chocolates honorees.
The 2019 recipients succeed the Class of 2018: Maricel Presilla, John Nanci, Craig Sams and Josephine (Jo) Fairley, and Michael Rogak; and the Class of 2017: Ed Seguine, John Scharffenberger, Joan Carlos Motamayor, and Sophie and Michael Coe.
Notter spent years in England, Germany and Switzerland cultivating her skills in pastry arts and working for Swiss chocolatiers before teaching and demonstrating the art of pulled and blown sugar all over the world. Notter believes in sharing knowledge and her passion for pastry with students and pastry professionals in the industry and has spent more than 17 years in education, teaching and directing pastry arts programs.
A member of the United States Culinary Olympic team, Notter has coached and competed in the Queen of Pastry Competition in Rimini, Italy, and has appeared on the Food Network as a member of the winning team of the first season of “Halloween Wars.” Her international background and understanding of the pastry industry has helped to shape pastry arts and pastry chefs throughout the world.
Li-Lac Chocolates, Manhattan’s oldest chocolate house and a New York institution since 1923, is known for making artisan chocolate in small batches. Now owned by Anthony Cirone, Anwar Khoder and Christopher Taylor, the trio is, like their predecessors before them, committed to retaining the Old World chocolate making process, using original recipes, techniques and quality ingredients.
Kave has been making chocolates for over 25 years as a passionate hobbyist, informed by years of cooking and baking courses. A big believer in continued learning and professional development, Kave frequently spends time in Belize with the farmers who grow the cacao beans for her chocolate, learning about sustainability and flavor.
At the heart of Roni-Sue's Chocolates is an emphasis on working with neighbors to build relationships and strengthen communities. Over the years, Roni-Sue’s has collaborated with many NYC institutions, clubs, schools and non-profit organizations, including City Harvest, Share Our Strength, The Lower East Side Girl's Club, Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Grand Street Settlement.
An award ceremony and reception is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Resorts World Casino New York 110-00 Rockaway Bvld., in Queens. Following the ceremony, the Decadent Evening of Chocolate and Cocktails, a walkaround event featuring sweet and savory bites and cocktails, is scheduled for 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
Tickets to Legends of Chocolate, which includes a Decadent Evening of Chocolate & Cocktails, are $75. To purchase, visit the show's Eventbrite page.
The Big Chocolate Show continues on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22 at Resorts World Casino New York with chocolatiers, artisans, chefs, authors, purveyors and experts from around the world offering chocolate tastings, live demonstrations, spirits sampling, and ticketed tasting classes. Tickets to The Big Chocolate Show are $15-$188 and include weekend passes, family passes and general admission tickets.
The Big Chocolate Show is the kickoff event for Chocolate Week NYC, a weeklong celebration of chocolate at retail shops, restaurants and bakeries in New York City’s five boroughs. For more information, visit www.chocolateweek.nyc.
