Forum Activity for @Valerie

Questions on American Chocolate Mould Table Top Tempering Machine

Posted in: Opinion

I'm going to be teaching a chocolate truffle making class and I'm looking for a larger, but still easily portable chocolate tempering machine. I have a Sinsation for home use and love it, but their larger capacity machine is a bit pricey. I was looking at the ACM Table Top Tempering Machine and was curious if anyone else had experience with this one. The price is within my budget and with a 6 lb capacity it should be good for a class size of 20 - 40 people to each be able to cover truffles with tempered chocolate. I would want to have the chocolate tempered before the class (since I won't be able to keep my eyes on the temperature while teaching) and then I'm hoping the machine is good at holding the final temperature so that it doesn't come out of temper. Also, what I like about the sinsation is the whole thing is automatic and dummy proof, so I'm also nervous about having to be responsible for controlling the temps on this one, but again if the machine holds the temps once it reaches them I'm assuming it shouldn't be a problem. Any feedback anyone has would be great. Thanks!
updated by @Valerie: 04/11/15 04:55:29

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

For me, one of my favorites, and she has quite an inspirational story, is Katrina Markoff, founder of Vosges. She was featured on girl crush. http://girlcrushoftheday.blogspot.com/2010/02/katrina-markoff.html

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Forgot to point out the truffles in my picture are pierced with Jamaican almonds which are a little different from what we are used to in the states. I think they are also called Indian almonds.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

I'm a comparative newcomer and have been working so much, haven't communicated much with other chocolate makers until recently. I make chocolate from Jamaican beans exclusively and started the business to feature Jamaican chocolate to get Jamaican farmers a better price for their beans. Some of my flavors are comfortable and some are very unusual. Some showcase other Jamaican products like an oval leaf chocolate bonbon filled with Busha Browne's lime pepper jelly. I have a little chocolate barrel filled with a rum raisin in curried sweet milk. I just tried one with sorrel chutney which is a very complicated pocket of flavors. Most of my chocolate bonbons are 70% cacao. Website is www.theoaklandchocolateco.com .

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

I will add NY female chocolatier Justine Pringle of Nunu Chocolates to the list, which you can order online at Drexelius Chocolates .A great SoCal female chocolatier is Kristy Choo of Jin Patisserie , which is in Venice.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Thanks for your reply Vanessa!I don't have a shop in UK yet. I'm creating a website right now and it might be the starting point to sell my chocolates initially and I hope I can have a little shop soon.A fantastic website! I must say. Having read your story and I have a question here for you.As the 'raw' is unregulated in US how you educate people to take on your idea that eating 'raw chocolates' is healthy or 'raw chocolates' has health benefit rather than just a treat.ThanksXinhong

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

yes! thanks so much for your interest! it's http://www.gnosischocolate.com we dont have any stores in the uk quite yet, but we do ship direct. let me know if you have any questions whatsoever! vanessa@gnosischocolate.com

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Hi,Is there a dedicate website for your good raw chocolates? Sorry I'm from UK I have not heard anyone who makes raw chocolates.Regards,Xinhong

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

thank you so much *blushes* but i am a chocolate maker too! we make chocolate from the raw mass - does that still count as nomination? it's a yes in my book!

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Vanessa Barg of Gnosis chocolates makes really good raw chocolates.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Robert,I'm sure your comments aren't intended as condescendingly sexist stereotypes, but they could possibly be construed that way.It might open your eyes to place an order with Chocolate Life forum participant Sarah Hart's Alma Chocolate, specially requesting her habanero caramel (one of the best caramels I've had in the US and a "must buy" whenever I'm in Portland), salted lavender caramel, lapsang souchong caramel, and rosewater caramel. Try some of her other pieces as well, to see if they fit your hypothesis. (Did your grandma make Thai peanut butter cups or cardamom/burnt sugar/sesame bonbons?)Or try Katherine Clapner's Dude, Sweet Chocolates (Dallas, Texas). Clapner, a former pastry chef for Stephan Pyles, is hardly "comforting," with her roasted beet/olive oil ganache, fermented Louisiana tobacco, olive oil/butter/hemp seed, lemon/yerba mate, et al.Look at the work of Cindy Duby of DC Duby (Vancouver, Canada).Look at Autumn Martin, head chocolatier for Theo Chocolate (Seattle, Washington), with the brilliant fig/fennel ganache.Or look on almost any gourmet market shelf these days to see Vosges, the brainchild of Katrina Markoff, whose decidedly ungrandmotherly products get more press and have more name recognition in America (deserved or not) than those of any male chocolatier.Though you may not be intentionally dismissive of the creativity of female chocolatiers, I think your broad brush strokes both overlook the truly ambitious work undertaken by female chocolatiers all over the country and elide the fact that most chocolatiers--male or female--do safe, predictable, familiar work, because they find it sells better than occasionally gag reflex-inducing creativity.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Hi,I have a question for my American friends here: what do you think Mariebelle Sweets?A link can be found in here http://www.mariebelle.com . Do you think she could be one of topten female chocolatiers?. My European friend said: by looking at this website the chocolates look very synthetical but I understand Mariebelle's shop is one of NY attractions? What do you think?Xinhong

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Hey, someone close by where Ilive!

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Rich,Hands down the winner is Maria Valente, Chocolations LLC, Mamaroneck NY.Check out www.chocolations.com ThanksJohn.Rossini@travelchocolate.com
updated by @John M Rossini2: 09/09/15 22:55:23

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

YUM YUM YUM YUMLove the video too!

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Melt ( http://www.meltchocolates.com/v2/Video.aspx ) makes the most delicious rasbury truffles.rococo http://rococochocolates.com/ makes best 'Long Ting' tea truffle.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

It did not meet her personally but I tasted her chocolate more than once. I thing that Cecilia Tessieri from Amedei Tuscany Chocolate is a great chocolate maker and a great chocolatiers!

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Try mine.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Or said a slightly less depressing way: its a male dominated industry that has been run in a particular way -- pathways via established training schools, I would guess for pastries because a lot of famous chocolatiers seem to have pastry background, and corporations and old boy networks -- for a long time, but is now being opened up to amateurs of both genders thus removing some of the gender, socio-economic, and regional barriers to entry. No doubt due to greater ease of acquiring materials & training (thank you internets). The new and growing number of known female chocolatiers indicates there may be a shift coming in the gender balance as well as the big-box to artisan focus. The more women in the industry, the more there will be. Plant a flag at the mountaintop and more will come!

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

I take you seriously linda...even if you are a chick... ; )

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

the reason why there are so few is because it's still a man's world. Guys help one another. Women either give up or let their husbands take over...... and they don't take women seriously either.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Linda Grishman of Sweet on Vermont Artisan Confections. Has been making hand made chocolates since 1984.

Best Female Chocolatier?

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Gayle's in DetroitPenny Chocolates in DC 'burbs.To name a couple!b

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Well the last time I was over in Spain, I couldn't get in because the place was packed. I hear it is always packed in season. Had to make my own Sangria. So, unfortuanately, I am not an El Bulli alum.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Found her: She is the long-time owner of Frans Chocolates Ltd., located in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, which also operates a large mail-order business at www.franschocolates.com From what I've read, Fran is considered one of the finest chocolatiers in the country and makes makes European-style chocolates.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Andre, Yes, Kee from Kee's chocolates.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

I could be missing it here, but isn't Oriel Bal aguer a guy? Trying to restrict the conversation to the best FEMALES. But, then good chocolate is good chocolate.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Good to see that a few of you recognize brilliance when you taste and see it. I for one will be happy to check out the individuals you've mentioned.rk

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Elizabeth Montes of Sahagun Handmade Chocolates (Portland, OR).

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Mark,Do you mean Kee from Kee's Chocolates?Kee's amazing.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Keys Chocolates in NYC.

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

April Heaton !!Branson Missouri, beautiful new shop, excellent chocolates. Pure artistry. http://www.handcraftedchocolat.com/chocolatier.html

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Fran Bigelow has done well for herself and her patrons :)

Best Female Chocolatier?

Posted in: Opinion

Who do you think is the best female chocolatier you've met. Most seem to be men and I am curious who you would count amoung the top ten females out there!As I understand it, a chocolatier is someone who makes confectionery from chocolate. Chocolatiers are distinct from chocolate makers, who create chocolate from cacao beans and other ingredients.Rick
updated by @Richard Spangenberg: 04/11/15 09:01:22

The connections between Scandinavia and chocolate - what reference do people have?

Posted in: Opinion

Many thanks for this interested discussion, I just found this.I do sell the wonderfull chocolate of Bertil Akesson's, just tuesday we had a second (one's a mond) chocolate tasting in our shop and number one out of ten? Yes the Akesson's "Wild" pepper!Sweden is the greatest country for the chocolate but they sure now how to impress, thanks a lot Bertil.GreetingsGeertPS thanks for the tips about Sweden chocolatiers

The connections between Scandinavia and chocolate - what reference do people have?

Posted in: Opinion

My "shortlist" should also include two other chocolatiers: En liten smula (Pastry shop) RC Chocolat Anna-Sofia Wallstrm founder of Gefle Chocolaterie is another cocoafarmer and a female chocolatier. Together with UK Academy of Chocolate Awards jury member Maja Berthas (Swedish female chocolate expert) she will start a new bean to bar chocolate maker.

The connections between Scandinavia and chocolate - what reference do people have?

Posted in: Opinion

In december a new Pralus single estate chocolate bar will be available in Stockholm (Small Island Coffee & Chocolate) and Pralus shop in Paris.Beanes are sourced from Tobago Cocoa Estate owned by Duane Dove.A few other chocolatiers worth mentioning, none of them is available in the United States: Chokladfabriken (first Swedish chocolatier sold in Japan) Fickorna Kanold (founded by female chocolatier Jeanna Kanold) Hovbyn no 9 (founded by female chocolatier Inger Persson-Clerc) Les Trois Roses (Hedh & Escalante Chocolatier) Lux Dessert & Choklad Xoco (Swedens first dessert bistro)Website links to the chocolatiers mentioned by Bertil kesson: Emanuel Andren MLARCHOCOLATERIE Robert E's Choklad

The connections between Scandinavia and chocolate - what reference do people have?

Posted in: Opinion

Sonja, you are right, Sweden should not be forgotten on the map of chocolate! After all, the cacao plant was first given its botanical name by Swedish natural scientist Carl von Linn (*1707-1778), who called it "Theobroma cacao ("cocoa, food of the gods"). This was the first contribution of Sweden to the world of chocolateSweden has an old traditional chocolate company in the style of Lindt: MALM CHOKLADFABRIK. There is also CLOETTA. But for most of people in America Swedish chocolate means MARABOU or DAIM, two large mass market brands now owned by Kraft Foods. MARABOU was founded in Sweden in 1916 by a Norwegian who had great success with FREIA in Norway (Norway was part of Sweden until 1905). DAIM was created by the same company in the 50's. DAIM is by the way Pierre Herm's favorite chocolate "sin".Besides these well known companies, one should mention the Swedish chocolate balls (chokladbollar), a classic chocolate recipe in Sweden that you can find everywhere.But nowadays, Sweden developed a new craze about chocolate - this time darker & more refined - and stores are opening all over the place. Here I would like to mention great chocolatiers like ROBERT E's Choklad, Emanuel ANDREN and specially MLARCHOCOLATERIE. Unfortunately, none of them is available in the United States.Sweden has also cocoa farmers like Duane Dove, who owns a plantation in Tobago, and us, with our plantations in Madagascar and Brazil. This year we launched our small and exclusive brand of organic single plantations chocolates, KESSON'S Chocolate ( www.akessons-organic.com ). It should be available soon at the Food Emporium and Chantal Coady already made pictures for her next book soon to be published.As you see, the Swedes do not only make "chocolate moose"...

The connections between Scandinavia and chocolate - what reference do people have?

Posted in: Opinion

Swedish confectionary and commercial chocolate brand Marabou (owned by Kraft) is sold in USA: http://swedensbest.com/chocolate1.html

The connections between Scandinavia and chocolate - what reference do people have?

Posted in: Opinion

Emanuel Andrn from Sweden provided the goodie bag at The 50th GRAMMY Awards, 2008. Regrettably not available in the States. A few US microbatchers are curently available in Sweden: Amano, Askinosie and Patric Chocolate.A PDF-file about Cullinary Olympics. The Swedish team is mentioned: http://www.welshculinaryassociation.com/news/080214.pdf

The connections between Scandinavia and chocolate - what reference do people have?

Posted in: Opinion

This is tricky - I'm sure there are Swedish chocolatiers, but I can only think of American, French, Belgium or Italians. I generally assume there are brands because everybody has some. I just doubt any brands are sold in the States and I can't think of any specific chocolatiers either. Sweden would have a lot more exposure all the Euro chocs than those of us in North America so it stands to reason they have similar market demands.Now that you mentioned the Swedish chef I will have have his ongoing culinary battles going through my head all day.

The connections between Scandinavia and chocolate - what reference do people have?

Posted in: Opinion

Thanks for the book tip, you're right too, I don't think many people know of her books. I checked it out on Amazon, lots of copies available. Again,thanks for the tip.