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Hi I am Taeke Oosterwoud. Born in Beetsterzwaag - Friesland - in the North of Holland (where the cows come from). I attended catering college in Drachten for four years, plus one further year in Groningen. To gain experience I worked in various hotels and restaurants in Holland. I knew from the age of 10 that I wanted to be a Chef. We lived next door to a restaurant and I used to vist the kitchens after school to watch the Chef's work. They used to give me 'little' jobs to do and as a child you thought that was the bees knees. They couldn't get rid of me, I 'helped' during each school holiday. Once I'd passed all my Catering Diploma's, I worked at a few other Hotels before I moved to France, near Sarlat in the Dordogne. A beautiful part of France and very popular with Dutch and British Holiday makers. Together with a mate we ran a small restaurant. He was educated at Bordeaux catering college and ran 'Front' of house and I was responsable of the kitchen. Where I cooked with local produced food which we bought each day at the local markets.The menu depended on what was available that day. I do miss browsing the markets where you could find live fish and poultry and then the incredible smells and colours of the huge variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. And yes I did walk round with bread sticks under my arm as only the French can do. It all sounds like something out of a film, but it was fantastic..... I moved to England in November 1982. I was 'Head-Chef' @ the Red Lion in Stonedge, Nr. Chesterfield - Derbyshire. Here I met my beautiful wife Sue. We got married in 1985. In November 1986 our family grew, Saskia our daughter came into the world, in that same year we had also left the Red Lion to start our 'own' restaurant. We found a lovely property in Wirksworth, Nr. Derby. After a lot of hard work restoring the building we turned it into 'Raffles', a continetal style restaurant-wine bar. (now Le Mistral) We worked and lived there for 10 years. We sold the restaurant and I started 'Chocolate ART'. I have attended Chocolate schools and courses in Holland. Belgium, Switzerland & Germany, I hope to Open a 'Chocolate school' here soon? My workshop has some fantastic views overlooking all of Matlock, with the 'Cable Car's of the Heights of Abraham in Matlock-Bath just below us. Our hill proves sometimes a bit tricky to transport the chocolate creations I make, I have been known to transport them on a sledge in winter. All of the chocolates I produce are completely handmade from the finest quality ingredients and therefore, the range of possibility for individuality and uniqueness specific to the style and quality of look you wish to achieve is possible. Unfortunately I haven't got the facilities to make my own chocolate from scratch, but I do buy my raw chocolate from Belgium. and France. In March '07 Saskia and Sam enriched our lives with a beautiful Grandaughter 'Heather Rosemary'. I would not be able to do all this fantastic work without the help of my wonderful lady, 'Sue'. They do say, 'Behind every great man is an even greater woman'.
Have a mouth watering time,
Fresh Cherries soaked in Cherry Brandy ready for Enrobing in Chocolate
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