From Sweet to Savoury – Celebrating Chocolate in the Kitchen
There’s no denying that chocolate has a special place in our hearts—and on our plates. As we mark World Chocolate Day, what better time to celebrate its versatility? From the silken drizzle atop a sponge cake to the unexpected depth it can bring to a stew, chocolate is far more than just a sweet treat.
Let’s start where chocolate truly shines: desserts. Think of lava cakes, glossy ganache tarts, or a rich, flourless chocolate cake that melts in the mouth. Chocolate mousse remains a timeless classic, while truffles offer a hands-on, bite-sized indulgence. Its texture, richness, and sheer taste make chocolate the hero of countless sweet recipes across the globe.
However, this humble ingredient isn’t just for desserts.
Chocolate has also found its way into savoury cooking, lending depth, warmth, and complexity to many dishes. Traditionally used in Latin American and Mediterranean cuisines, it brings a silky richness to sauces, marinades, and even spice rubs.
We spoke to our brilliant Hospitality Training Team to uncover their favourite savoury recipes using chocolate—and they didn’t disappoint. Here are three creative takes to inspire your next culinary adventure:
- Chicken Mole Poblano This Chicken Mole Poblano recipe from The Happy Foodie is a gorgeous interpretation of the Mexican classic. It includes dark chocolate in the rich, spiced sauce, which balances out the smokiness of the chillies and the nuttiness of the seeds.
- Beef & Dark Chocolate Ragù Our training team adapted this Cookpad slow-cooked beef ragù recipe by stirring in 20g of 70% dark chocolate in the final 10 minutes of simmering. The chocolate intensifies the savoury richness of the beef and wine reduction, adding a silky finish and complexity.
- Cocoa-Spiced Lamb Koftas This Lamb Kofta recipe from Kitchen Sanctuary doesn’t originally include chocolate—but our team loves adding ½ teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the spice mix. It doesn’t make the dish taste like chocolate, but it does add a deeper, more earthy undertone that pairs beautifully with the lamb and Middle Eastern spices.
To elevate your meal even further, consider pairing these dishes with drinks that echo chocolate’s richness. Think dark beers with cacao notes, such as a chocolate stout or porter, which complement the smoky warmth of mole poblano. For the beef ragù, a full-bodied red wine—like a Zinfandel or Shiraz—adds fruit and spice, while enhancing the bittersweet edge of dark chocolate. And if you’re serving the cocoa-spiced lamb koftas, a chocolate-infused liqueur, such as a dash of crème de cacao in a cocktail with coffee bitters, makes a stylish and surprising pairing. These drinks not only highlight chocolate’s savoury potential but make the whole dining experience feel a little more luxurious.
So this World Chocolate Day, why not step beyond the dessert tray? Whether you’re whipping up a show-stopping cake or adding flair to a hearty stew, chocolate just might be the secret ingredient your kitchen’s been craving.
