Interview: Hasnaâ Ferreira, a passionate chocolatier from Bordeaux

We asked ten questions about the trip to Hasnaa Ferreira, Bordeaux chocolatière!

John G. Tullius said, « Nine out of ten people like chocolate, the tenth one is lying »And Hasnaâ Ferreira would be the last person to deny it. This chocolate enthusiast found her calling and was able to thrive through this passion.

This former advertising executive did not hesitate to go back to school to fulfill her dream and share her passion with others. After obtaining her CAP chocolatier-confectioner certificate and completing numerous internships with great chocolatiers like Thierry Lalet and Serge Granger, Hasnaâ Ferreira decided to open her own shop., Hasnaa Grand Cru Chocolates.

Supported by her husband, the young chocolatier quickly distinguished herself with her grand cru products, selected from a single plantation. Not wanting to be like other chocolatiers, she offers a range of chocolate inspired by her surroundings and her Moroccan origins.

JR : For you, traveling is synonymous with...?

For me, traveling is synonymous with discovery and opening up to other cultures. It's also an opportunity to be inspired by what's being done elsewhere.

JR : What is the first item you put in your suitcase? Why?

Lavender essential oil is useful for many things (healing, soothing...) without taking up much space.

JR : When you travel in dreams, where do you go?

In dreams, I exclusively see myself surrounded by nature, mountains, forests, beaches; countries and borders don't matter to me.

JR : Your worst travel memory?

Stranded due to an Air France strike in the Dominican Republic, at an “all-inclusive” resort where tourists are flooding in. Nothing typical, neither in the architecture, the cuisine offered, nor the people encountered. The time waiting for the plane seemed very long to me, knowing I had urgent obligations in Bordeaux.

JR : A perfume that invites you to escape?

Hammam secrets is a reminder, for me it's above all a journey back in time.

JR : What is your next destination?

Immediately, the Chartreuse massif. Afterwards, it will be “Ile Cacao” São Tomé, in order to meet the planters I work with and enjoy the sumptuous landscapes of this fantastic island off the coast of Africa.

JR : What is your favorite hotel? For what reasons?

My favorite hotel is a small establishment called Abertih, a timeless little hotel in a village in southern Morocco called Mirleft (“Prince of Turnips”). It's my favorite hotel because it's in a region of Morocco that I'm particularly fond of, and also for its simplicity. It has just enough to be comfortable without any fuss, and that's what I like.

JR : What do you do to pass the time on a plane?

It depends on who I'm with. When I'm with my daughters, it's mostly kid-friendly activities (coloring, songs, cartoons...), because you have to channel children whose patience is often very limited...
When it comes to business or romantic trips, I prioritize reading, watching movies, and sleeping to arrive at my destination feeling rested.

JR : What is your best travel memory from when you were a child?

When I was 4 years old, I went to Marrakech with my mother and my older sister. Everything seemed disproportionately large to me; I imagined I was an ant in this urban labyrinth populated by a dense and immense crowd. It's the first travel memory I recall, and the one that left a mark on me from the perspective of a little girl at the time.

JR : You feel at home when you are...?

I feel truly at home when I'm in Bordeaux. Yet, I was born in Casablanca and lived there for 26 years. Only in Bordeaux do I have this indescribable feeling of serenity and well-being that reassures me.

Thank you Hasna for answering our questions! We find her at His website Hasnaâ grand cru chocolates And on on Facebook page !