Where to put mixed model related HTML?

This might sound like a silly question, but since Laravel doesn't ship with any 'providers' functionality I'm just wondering.

I'm having a nested-set model used to store categories. I'm rendering a simple HTML list for a single form to display the categories tree in my controller view.

So yeah, this particular function is responsible for that:

private function renderDifferentNode( Category $node )
{
    $html = '<li' . (!$node->isLeaf() ? ' class="collapsed"' : '') . ' data-role="node">' . PHP_EOL;

    $nodeClass = $this->active->id === $node->id ? 'active' : '';

    $html .= '<div class="nodeItem' . $nodeClass . '" data-id="' . $node->id . '">' . PHP_EOL;
    $html .= $node->name . '</div>' . PHP_EOL;

    if ( !$node->isLeaf() )
    {
        $html .= '<ul>' . PHP_EOL;

        foreach ( $node->children as $child )
        {
            $html .= $this->renderDifferentNode( $child );
        }

        $html .= '</ul>' . PHP_EOL;
    }

    $html .= '</li>' . PHP_EOL;

    return $html;
}

At first, I thought that the model will be a good place for that. However, model is rather 'global' and I need to use the function in only one controller. I also need to store currently active item so in the end I consider this as a bad idea.

The controller would be the best place I think, however it will create some mess.

What do you guys think? A helper class for a single function only wouldn't be too much?

If the description isn't clear enough, post the comment with any questions.

via Chebli Mohamed