Paul has the golden ticket at his very own chocolate factory
Ten years ago, Paul A Young never dreamed that he would be making chocolates for the rich and famous.
But today, the boy from Barnsley runs two luxury chocolateries, makes regular television appearances and has satisfied the sweet cravings of everyone from Madonna to Robert De Niro. He has also just published his first book, Adventures with Chocolate.
"People always seem to feel so guilty and naughty eating chocolate," says Paul. "I wanted to write a book to inspire people and get them to look at chocolate in a completely different way. What I love about chocolate is that it is so versatile; you can do so much with it."
Paul's success at blending chocolate with unlikely ingredients, including Marmite and basil, have gained him a reputation as the Heston Blumenthal of confectionery.
So is there anything that doesn't go with chocolate?
"Meat and fish in a truffle is not a good idea," he offers.
"When I decided that I wanted to open a chocolaterie I knew that
I wanted it to be different. I wanted it to be innovative and for people to get excited about the different types of chocolate that
we make."
This Yorkshire lad seems to have got the recipe just right. He has just opened his second chocolaterie in London and hopes to bring his business to the North as soon as possible.
"I don't know what it is about Yorkshire but I just feel so at home when I go back up north," he says.
Born in Barnsley, Paul and his family moved to the small mining town of Trimdon Station, County Durham when he was young.
After studying hotel catering and management at New College, Durham and Leeds Metropolitan University, Paul worked in a series of Yorkshire restaurants.
Next came an offer from Marco Pierre White, which took Paul to London as pastry chef at The Criterion Brasserie. "It was an amazing experience," he recalls. "I
was making desserts for the likes of Madonna and
Robert De Niro. It made me realise celebrity wasn't everything, but if they liked something you did then they did have influence."
After progressing through the ranks of Marco Pierre White's empire and a stint as head pastry chef at Quo Vadis in Soho, Paul then worked with Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's, receiving two award nominations for his product development.
The first branch of Paul A Young Fine Chocolates opened in Islington in 2006, and was followed a year later by a second store in Bank. "It is a great business to work in," Paul says. "Even in the recession people can afford a bit of luxury, and when someone buys chocolate it always makes them smile.
"That puts you under pressure to deliver new and exciting chocolates, but it's worth it."
Adventures with Chocolate by Paul A Young is published by Kyle Cathie Ltd, priced 17.99. Readers can buy a copy for the special price of 14.99 (including free P&P, UK mainland only) by calling 01903 828503 and quoting ref. KC AWC/YP. Or e-mail mailorders@lbsltd. co.uk.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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