Chocolate, Vanilla & Culinary Magic

Join Nuance Chocolate for an immersive afternoon of chocolate, vanilla, and culinary storytelling with Top Chef alum and acclaimed chef-author Marisa Churchill.

Best known for her appearances on Top Chef, Marisa brings a chef-first perspective shaped by years in professional kitchens, national food television, and culinary competition. Her work centers on technique, ingredients, and the idea that flavor is built, not invented.

That chef-first perspective is what makes this event, and her novel Secrets, Spells, and Chocolate, so unique.

Unlike many food-centered novels written by non-chefs, Marisa’s storytelling is grounded in real culinary technique. Even the magical cooking competition at the heart of this story was inspired by her experiences on Top Chef and Food Network. Like all good culinary competitions, the Golden Whisk has unexpected twists, a few surprising turns, and plenty of chocolate! Chocolate is often misunderstood or oversimplified in fiction. That misrepresentation was one of the sparks that led her to write this book. In her story, ingredients aren’t just background details; they’re central to how the “magic” works. The book also includes four tasty recipes.

This event brings that idea to life.

Through guided tastings of several single-origin vanilla extracts presented by Rodelle, paired with two contrasting Nuance chocolates (high-acid and low-acid), guests will experience firsthand how origin, terroir, and sourcing dramatically influence flavor. The same principles that inform Marisa’s cooking and her writing.

This is a flexible, open-house–style experience.
You’re welcome to arrive at any point between 3–5 PM. Tastings, conversation, and author interaction will be available throughout the full two hours, not just at the start. Feel free to stop by whenever it works best for you and stay as long as you’d like.

• Guided single-origin vanilla tasting
• Take-home bottles of single-origin vanilla (retail value ~$20)
• Guided tasting of two Nuance chocolates (high-acid & low-acid)
• One Nuance chocolate bar to take home (retail value $9.50)
• Signed copy of Secrets, Spells, and Chocolate (retail value $18.99)
• Meet and talk with the author

Everything is included for $20.

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Host or Publisher Nuance Chocolate