Gourmet tasting event brings Hollywood to Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – Halloween may be over, but adults can still enjoy treats and learn tricks of the trade at the wine, cheese and chocolate tasting at the Swampscott Public Library Friday evening.The event will join Maia Gosselin, owner of Sip Wine Education, with patisserie chef Amy Peterson, who recently brought her specialty chocolate-making business to the North Shore from Beverly Hills, Calif.For 12 years, Peterson specialized in making desserts for the Beverly Hilton Hotel and the ultra-luxe Beverly Wilshire Hotel. She was the chocolatier for the stars at award shows like the Emmys and Oscars, even lending her hand to make the iconic mini-Oscar chocolate trophies, dusted with edible gold dust.As a cordon bleu chef, Peterson has expertise in both savory and sweet foods, but she said what attracts her to chocolate is “how you can be so artistic which such a small item,” and because “there is so much science that goes into it.”Peterson said she jumped at the chance to help raise funds for the library because she has felt so welcomed there as a newcomer to the area after she traded the glitz of Los Angeles for her husband?s hometown of Nahant a year ago to give her daughter a New England upbringing. “The reason why we came here was to raise a family, and the library has been so good to us. They welcomed us into the community with their great programs for children,” she said. “I thought I would help them raise money and have a good time.”So far Peterson is keeping Conditori Chocolates, her online-based business, small so she can concentrate on bringing the North Shore “something they?ve never seen before,” like her antioxidant-packed goji berry and acai truffles. “It?s something I think a lot of people haven?t done before – it?s sweet and decadent but it?s good for you,” said Peterson.Peterson said many people compare the tastes of chocolates to wine because of the detected notes and undertones, like the way espresso truffles give off berry undertones similar to a glass of cabernet sauvignon.Peterson plans on bringing salted caramel, dark chocolate espresso and white chocolate lemon meringue truffles to the event on Friday evening to pair with Gosselin?s wines and the cheeses. “Between me and Maia, people can come and learn great knowledge and information, or just eat some great food and drink some great wine,” said Peterson.If You Go? The Friends of Swampscott wine, cheese and chocolate tasting is at the Swampscott Public Library on Friday, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tickets are $20 per person and should be purchasedin advance.
Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].