Jade Chocolates’ Blog

My relationship with Downey Chocolates began with a simple phone call to Tracey Downey.  I knew that she had participated in the same food show in Anaheim last year, and since I was not getting phone calls and emails answered by the event coordinator, I resorted to calling Tracey.  And I’m so glad I did.  Although I just met her once, I know that this is only the beginning of our friendship.  She’s EXTREMELY nice and not only did she answer my questions regarding the food show but she also answered all of my curious questions about the chocolate business.  I asked ton of questions, especially on the production of truffles.  I tasted her raspberry symphony truffle, and believe me, the liquid center is killer!

After the Anaheim event, Tracey invited me to her chocolate cafe in Laguna Nigel, CA.  Here’s a photo of her cafe, after hours. She offered to show me her cafe, despite the fact that we both just spent 3 exhausting days pushing our own chocolates back in Anaheim.  An hour after the food show was through, I found myself in her cafe, and am so appreciative that she went out of her way to do this for me.  I had the privilege of getting a behind the scenes tour of what it takes to run a brick and mortar operation.  Since Jade Chocolates is a new start-up with just under a year under our belt, Tracey’s knowledge and insight are golden.  I walked away knowing much more than I did.  Participating in these gourmet food events are great to spread the word out to consumers.  But forming relationships with other business owners is great as well. 

SIDENOTE:  I’ve found out that being a part of the chocolate business is like being part of a community.  For the most part, one chocolatier or chocolate maker helps out another.  More on this in a later post.

Here’s my new friend fixing up a quadruple shot of espresso for me and my assistant, for the long ride home back to San Francisco.  (By the way, she’s the daughter of Morton Downey, Jr. You can see a photo on him on the back wall in the photo of the cafe.)

Downey Chocolates and Jade Chocolates will both be participating in this year’s Los Angeles Chocolate Salon on October 5th at the Pasadena Convention Center.   If you’re in town, stop by both of our booths.

I also wanted to mention a little something about our booth neighbors back at the food event in Anaheim.  To the right of us was Intensity Academy, a couple who came all the way from Florida to sell their famous Chai Chipotle Chup. This ketchup had previously won a scovie award.  Here’s a photo of Michele getting a TV interview.  Their ketchup sold out the second day of the show.

And to the left of us, were two companies, The Hampton Popcorn Company, and Chipotle Texas.  The popcorn company from upstate New York came together with Chipotle Texas and created a few spiced up flavors of popcorn.  In the photo is a very serious Gale Carr, manager of Chipotle Texas, his son in the middle, and the very serious Arthur Kerr, VP for The Hampton Popcorn Company.