Meet Dorset’s Willy Wonka Christian Ørner

Photo: Richard Budd

Chocoholics, your golden ticket awaits!

This year’s Wimborne Food Festival will tempt your taste buds and tickle your imagination with the sweet magic of chocolate, thanks to Christian Ørner—renowned private chef, award-winning chocolatier, and charismatic founder of SALT Cø in Poole.

A TEDx Speaker and part of the England National Culinary Team, Christian will whisk audiences away on a delicious journey through time and taste. Discover how chocolate, once revered as ‘brown gold’ and medicine in Central America, evolved into the delectable indulgence we adore today. Learn about the fascinating process that transforms raw cocoa beans to the chocolate bars we love.

“I will be explaining the chaos of chocolate making in all its glory, how and why we temper chocolate as well as rustling up some salted dark chocolate ganache and samples of chocolate dessert for people to taste and enjoy,” explained Christian. 

And just when you think it couldn’t get sweeter, Christian will dish out tasty tales from his adventures in private kitchens across the UK. “I cook (and wash up!)  for over 200 households a year,” he says, “and every dining experience leaves me with a story worth telling!”

Christian will be talking in the demonstration tent at Willow Walk near Waitrose as part of this year’s Wimborne Food Festival which takes place on Saturday 20th September from 11am -4pm.

The festival is organised by Wimborne BID and Dacombes of Wimborne. Matt Renaut, Managing Director of Dacombes of Wimborne said: “We’re delighted to sponsor the activities on Willow Walk and have got a great line up of talks, tastings and demonstrations this year. There’s also lots of mouthwatering events around the town – all free to enjoy. We’re really grateful to Wimborne BID, who without their support this festival would not be possible.”

Free Wimborne Food Festival programmes can be picked up from local businesses in town from mid-August.