Since I was a child, I have been making Brigadeiros.

A Brazilian truffle-like delicacy traditionally served at birthday parties, Brigadeiros were originally made with cocoa powder. Of late, numerous varieties of gourmet flavor Brigadeiros have been introduced, quickly becoming a deliciously decadent offering at not only birthdays but weddings and other festive gatherings.

Having been a stay-at-home mom, I was afforded the opportunity to frequently make Brigadeiros for my kids, their friends, and for an abundance of birthday parties. That is when I began my search for the newest ingredients, mixing colors and flavors, intent on making my Brigadeiros better with each successive batch. I attended several workshops, took various courses. In the process, I was introduced to the superior quality of Italian flavoring pastes, the finest chocolate with names such as Callebaut and Valrhona, and the necessary techniques to make each ingredient shine on its own, yet complimenting the whole in a grandiose experience in flavor.