Crafting The Culture And History Of French Chocolate

Follows the craft community of French chocolatiers -- members of a tiny group experiencing intense international competition -- as they struggle to ensure the survival of their businesses. Tells a story that challenges conventional views of craft work and training models in late capitalism. Covers the world of craft leaders and local artisanal families in Paris and in southwest France and how they work and confront the representatives and structures of power, from tastemakers, CEOs, and ad. executives to the technocrats of Paris and Brussels. The chocolatiers affirm their collective identity and their place in the present by commemorating selectively their role in history. Will appeal to anthropologists, cultural studies scholars and others with an interest in chocolate. Illustrated.