Some call her creations works of art and for Easter 2023, Paula Stakelum, Global Director of Chocolate and Patisserie at Red Carnation Hotels has created a masterpiece. During the Easter period, Ashford Castle’s guests will be gifted a magnificent hand painted Easter Egg that signifies a rare species that lives on the Ashford estate in Co Mayo – the red squirrel.

More than 150 years algo, Lord Ardilaun of Ashford Castle had a vision to plant thousands of trees and mature woodland bursting with life. He created a legacy that has been nurtured to this day along with a woodland home for the red squirrel. This was the inspiration for Easter 2023 with Paula Stakelum adding texture to the outside of the shell to capture a sense of the squirrel’s coat, while filling it with ‘Legacy’ bark, to represent the woodland trees.

The egg is crafted with Ashford Castle’s signature ‘Legend’ 55% milk chocolate. Inside will be filled with a new Ashford blend of chocolate, ‘Legacy’, which expresses intense creamy hazelnut with a hint of Legend 55% milk chocolate to add balance.

The new chocolate couverture has been created in partnership with Valrhona Chocolate. Valrhona is used exclusively on the estate as Ashford Castle believes it is the best chocolate in the world. Additionally, Valrhona shares the same values and beliefs regarding quality, sourcing and sustainability.

The limited-edition Easter Egg will be available to purchase from Mrs Tea’s Boutique and Bakery on the estate. For more visit: www.ashfordcastle.com.