Holiday Showpiece
December 11 - 31 | All Day
Our Executive Pastry Chef Jason Reaves has created an epic 2023 Holiday Showpiece that is definitely Willy Wonka approved! Between now and December 31, visit our Sundlun Library to see his latest creation, made entirely of chocolate.
ABOUT THE DISPLAY
In celebration of the upcoming release of the new Wonka movie on December 15th, this year's holiday showpiece is themed "Wonka Wonderland." Drawing inspiration from the candy room in Roald Dahl's classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, my creative vision is a personal interpretation of this fantastical world. The idea was sparked by reading numerous Roald Dahl books to my two boys, Nolan and Calvin, this year—Nolan, my eldest, even received the Author's complete collection as a gift.
My childhood memories of watching the movies further fueled my inspiration. The scene is given a festive twist with holiday colors, candy canes, and the iconic Willy Wonka himself delivering a Christmas tree. To commemorate Salamander Middleburg's 10th anniversary, a special touch is added with a Salamander logo golden ticket and chocolate bar. The entire display is meticulously crafted from tempered dark chocolate and modeling chocolate. Remarkably, over 100 lbs. of Felchlin's exquisite 60% Sao Palme Dark Chocolate, sourced from the fine Swiss Chocolatier, have been used in its creation.
The production of this delectable display spanned from Halloween to the end of November, bringing together the magic of Roald Dahl's imagination, the joy of the holiday season, and the artistry of fine chocolate craftsmanship.
ABOUT CHEF JASON
Born and raised on a farm in Purcellville, VA, Chef Jason Reaves developed a love for food at a young age.
After entering baking competitions throughout his childhood, Jason enrolled at Monroe Technical Center in Leesburg, VA for Culinary Arts during his junior and senior years of high school. During that time, he worked in the pastry kitchen at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA, where he trained under Pastry Chef Ricardo Murillo, who inspired him to attend culinary school.
Upon graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 2004 with an Associate of Occupational Studies degree in Baking and Pastry Arts, he began his professional career with Norwegian Cruise Lines in Hawaii as an entry level pastry cook and became Assistant Pastry Chef after many promotions.
After spending time working in Hawaii, California and New York, Chef Reaves returned home and became the pastry chef for Market Salamander in 2005. Jason was quickly noticed for his elaborate cake designs, and competed on many Food Network shows, including Sugar Dome, Halloween Wars and won first place on LEGO Cakes, King of Cones and Freakshow Cakes. When Salamander Resort & Spa opened in 2013, Jason became the Executive Pastry Chef, where he and his team provide all of the desserts and cakes for the resort and Market Salamander.