LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It’s that time of year when holiday decorations are going up, and for the only two-time world pastry champion that means one thing – chocolate! In order to give guests of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin a special treat for the holidays, Laurent Branlard - the hotel’s, executive pastry chef - just completed a 7-foot tall, 400-pound chocolate nutcracker that is part of an entire Christmas scene constructed out of nearly 2,000 lbs. of chocolate.
The nutcracker took approximately 80 hours to complete and is vibrantly colored with reds, blues, and golds. Still, it is 100 percent edible.
The nutcracker joins a Christmas scene, which will be displayed in the lobby of the hotel through December, that includes a life-sized Santa Claus, fireplace with stockings, Christmas tree, and toy train.
Branlard is renowned for intricate chocolate and sugar sculptures and this piece marks one his largest and most difficult ones to date.
Just in case any chocolate lovers are thinking of taking on the challenge of consuming this enormous sweet, they should consider that the entire scene is more than 4 million calories! (Please note that the sculpture is not available for tasting.)
What: Chocolate Christmas Scene Sculpture by world champion pastry chef Laurent Branlard
Where: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel (Swan wing lobby)
When: Throughout Dec.
Website: www.santasfavoriteresort.com
For more details about all the holiday excitement at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel or to make room reservations, please visit www.santasfavoriteresort.com or call 1-800-227-1500.
---
Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.
