Valrhona Essentials, 30 years of innovation

Since their creation in 1995, Valrhona Essentials have had a huge influence on the practices of culinary professionals and artisans the world over, offering a collection of over 120 perfectly balanced pastry recipes, designed for all uses from chocolate to ice cream, including mousses, creams, cookies and much more.

In 2025, Valrhona is celebrating the 30th anniversary of this emblematic collection, which encapsulates the principles of transmission, innovation and pastry-making excellence.

Shaped by the day-to-day work of the chefs at L’École Valrhona, The Essentials have evolved over the years to meet the changing expectations of professionals, combining the highest standards of taste with a responsible approach. They encapsulate an enduring vision of pastry-making that remains accessible, dependable and always inspiring.

In 2023, The Essentials booklet will be given a new look and presented in a new “binder” format. It has also undergone an update and features 22 recipes that have been tweaked to reflect the Reasonable Indulgence concept, which aims to improve the nutritional profile of products while maintaining their sensory appeal. This approach seeks to lower calories, fats and sugars and to reduce the number of ingredients, so that the recipes are more accessible worldwide – all while maintaining their delicious taste.

Thanks to the efforts of the L’École Valrhona chefs, the “Biscuits” chapter has been updated in 2025, inspired by the same approach. Their work has helped us to improve textures, flavors and nutritional values, and create recipes that can be used all over the world, without sacrificing any of the wonderful flavor. The approach has uncovered innovative techniques that are revolutionizing the cookie industry, including the use of water in cookie preparation.

This new chapter enriches The Essentials collection, providing chefs with a diverse range of choices to satisfy their customers, who seek products that are both flavorful and adhere to the Reasonable concept.

Via L’École Valrhona, Valrhona guides professionals in the dessert sector through the transition towards a more responsible and reasoned approach to sweet cuisine. The chefs from L’École are instrumental in testing, adjusting and enhancing Valrhona products to ensure that they fully meet the latest consumer expectations and address the challenges today’s society faces.

With the celebration of its 30th anniversary and this new chapter, Valrhona is reiterating its commitment to support chefs and their culinary creations. The Essentials collection remains a source of inspiration for chefs around the world, proving that innovation can go hand in hand with nutritional responsibility.