As you may have already heard, the 3rd Annual Los Angeles Chocolate Salon will be held on October 11th, 2009. We gave away two pairs of free tickets to our loyal fans. One pair was given away to our Facebook fan, Pauline Fujita who was the first to demand her free tickets by writing on the Jade Chocolates wall “I want my free tickets”. We sent out a notice to our fans on facebook and in record time (one minute to be exact) Pauline got tickets to the sweetest event in town. Join our page on Facebook for updates, information, the occasional chocolate giveaway, prizes, and tastings.
Yelp photo
We also gave two free tickets to Mariel Christian of Los Angeles, who gave a rave review on yelp back in January. This review made my day, no, it made my year and I was certain that I would somehow reward Mariel for such a thoughtful review. Here’s what she had to say about Jade Chocolates:
MS. JADE CHOCOLATES!
What can I say? Girl, you’ve created a masterpiece =)
Just about a year ago, I rediscovered my LOVE for chocolate. I’ve always liked chocolate, but for some reason I stopped allowing myself to enjoy it. I had more of a “I’m feeling like crap today – I’ll stuff my face with chocolate” attitude. Then I’d feel bad about it. But someone came along who helped open my eyes to the “goodness” of chocolate and NOW, I decided life’s too short to live without chocolate.
On with my 5 STAR review: I had the pleasure of trying this amazing chocolate. The Genmai Bar is scrumptious. The “rice crispy” crunch is not overwhelming. This is a sweet creation. I also had the Orient Espresso Bar “oh my yum” – melts in your mouth! I shared this one with my roommates and they agreed “very good chocolate”. I’ve tasted the chocolate dipped mangos too, again, delicious =)
I look forward to trying the other flavors! This is gourmet chocolate.
2*’s for the exotic concoctions and very charming packaging. Thought has been put into these adorable bars. Check out the website for more info. Wonderful gift ideas!!!
2*’s for the chocolate itself.
1* for Mindy Fong (owner/Chocolatier) a woman entrepreneur who followed her dream, inspired by her grandfather, to do what she loves. This chocolate is made with heart and you can tell.
These were such a sight to see as I strolled through the Historic Downtown area of Kent, Washington. Amazing soap that makes you take a second look! I really wished I had purchased these since I can’t find any information on the internet about this company (Sapone Tartufi?). Next time I’m in the Pacific Northwest, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for these amazing pieces of art.
Come see what’s hot in fashion at this summer’s Chic Summer Soiree on August 13th, 2009 with over 65 designers offering clothing, accessories, handbags, etc. Jade Chocolates and Clarine’s Florentines will be there selling as well. And the best thing, click on Appel and Frank’s website, type in code DESIGNERSF and get free admission!
Join us for an informative night with a panel of women-owned chocolate companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Along with myself, Kathy Wiley of Poco Dolce, Malena Lopez-Maggi of The Xocolate Bar, and Christine Doerr of Neo Cocoa will be discussing our roles in the chocolate business.
The discussion is followed by a chocolate tasting of our products with complimentary wine. Don’t miss out on this opportunity so hear straight from us chocolatiers. Hope to see you there.
About a week ago or so, I hosted an informal chocolate themed party with a few of my closest facebook friends to get their insight on a few of my ideas, to practice my poor public speaking skills, and just to have an excuse to come together and have fun. For the affair, I made a few sweet and savory foods with chocolate.
A few of the chocolate items on the menu included:
Spring Mixed greens tossed in extra virgin olive oil, champagne pear balsamic vinaigrette with fresh mangoes and toasted cocoa nibs.
Coconut-chocolate soup with caramelized bananas.
Nibby Asparagus with proscuitto.
Chocolate Krispies.
Fran Bigelow’s Deep Chocolate Torte.
I’ll be posting a few of these recipes in the coming posts.
I also paired a few wines with my chocolate bars. In the tasting arena, I introduced a sparkling wine from Italy called Prosecco. Clay Gordon, author of Discover Chocolate, says that Prosecco is an all around wine that generally pairs with most chocolates due to it’s lower acidity (than Champagnes) and it’s creaminess. There was also a Sauvignon Blanc and a Syrah. I also included a bottle of Domaine de Taste’s Cabernet Sauvignon which was voted as the first wine to be paired specifically with chocolates at the first annual Chocolate Seizure event, as well as a Mucato and Merlot by Alejos Cellars.
The wines were paired complementary. The Genmai bar was paired with the Sauvignon Blanc while the other wines were paired with the bittersweet bars. Everyone enjoyed the pairings and for many who gathered that day, it was their first time to taste chocolate and wine together.
I also gave a sampling of my two soon-to-be-released bars, Terracotta Warrior and Paradise. These bars are still in the research and development phase and the feedback from all was priceless. Bottom line, the Terracotta bar is ready. The Paradise bar needs some work.
To the right is a photo of three gals I went to high school with. I attribute their wide smiles from the delicious chocolates……and the wines.
Stay tuned for the following posts for recipes and more about Tondi Bolkan, owner of Alejos Cellars.
One of my goals for 2009 is for Jade Chocolates to venture out of California. First stop: Seattle.
I didn’t do much sightseeing, it was strictly business for me. We stayed near the space needle, and while I was off to work, my family had fun visiting the nearby museums. It was four days of Seattle fun for the family while I was pushing the chocolates in a cold warehouse. Brrrrr. I may come back to this beautiful city to participate in the Seattle Gift Show in August. There’s more accounts to be made and gives me a reason to come back and finally see the famed Pike’s Place.
Most of the accounts I acquired won’t carry Jade Chocolates until the Christmas rush, so watch out for our confections this holiday season in the Seattle area and other parts of the Northwest.
Thanks to everyone who sent in their comments! Will Otero of San Francisco gave a beautiful pitch for Dragon’s Breath:
“I’m partial to the “Dragon Breath” by Jade Chocolates. I find that the creative blend of chili, dark chocolate, and lapsang souchong, really come together and I often find myself talking my friends into buying it just because I love it so much.
I really do believe that if you have something that awakens your taste buds to the point of utter oblivion, you should share it with your friends (or at least the ones you like). If you haven’t tried Jade Chocolates “Dragon Breath” you truly are missing out. It’s not just the fact that it has chili and dark chocolate it’s what happens after you eat it that makes all the difference.
At first it just looks and tastes like a dark chocolate bar, then you pick up the slight hint of lapsang tea and you think “wow” that’s nice smokey chocolate wasn’t expecting that. Finally you swallow your first bite, then you sit there for a split second and wonder what is that amazing sensation, before you can think twice the chili hits, and its not a “my mouth is on fire” sensation its more of a warming sensation that will even give you chills……that is why I think “Dragon Breath” by Jade Chocolates is amazing and if my breif discription hasn’t convienced you to at least try it, your simply not living.”
The Make Mine A Million Raceor the M3 Race, for short, is an organization for women entrepreneurs which is sponsored by American Express, Dell and Cisco, to name a few. The idea is that participants ‘race’ for a targeted sales goal for the entire year. This race for business growth enables you to set the pace, for your financial Independence. The idea is to get women entrepreneurs to increase their total annual revenue of 1 million or more thus empowering women from owning and managing micro-businesses to million-dollar enterprises.
Nell Merlino, founder of Take your Daughters to Work Day is the driving force behind the Make Mine a Million Race.
I heard about this organization last year, but finally decided to look into it. When I was told about this, my first instinct was, how much is this going to cost me? I have seen many business organizations, many with a hefty initiation fee. Some are local, others a larger with a local chapter. But the Make Mine a Million Race is the only organization designed to empower and improve your business. This is not just for networking. For $100 you gain access to an array of resources all designed to help you reach your sales goals. Isn’t that what a successful business is all about, reaching our business goals?
Just listening to one of Ms. Merlino’s speeches is inspiring enough. Nell Merlino’s says that women are used to multi-tasking and not asking for help, which will only hurt your business. Everyone needs a little help now and then, and women shouldn’t be afraid to get the help that they need. The Make Mine a Million organization is one great push in the right direction.
Nell has also written a book entitled ‘Stepping out of Line’. Click on the video to learn more.
In a nutshell, a chocolate maker makes chocolate and a chocolatier works with chocolate. A chocolate maker, takes the raw material from the cacao plant and turns it into chocolate. The term ‘from bean to bar’ is commonly used by chocolate makers to distinguish them from others. Chocolatiers take couverture chocolate to create truffles, confections, flavored and blended chocolate bars. Naturally, there are far fewer chocolate makers than there are chocolatiers.
Whatever your preference is, be sure to buy artisan quality products.
San Francisco’s Dine About Town event is kicking off it’s 8th annual season running from January 15th-January 31st, 2009. Diners will enjoy a prix fixe 3-course dinner menu for $34.95. Many of the city’s most popular restaurants are participating including Poleng Lounge. Chef Tim Luyum’s Pan Asian creations has found it’s way to making this restaurant one of San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants.
Above is a tantalizing photo of eggplant adobo.
Inspired by the Balinese notion of duality and the pursuit of a balanced lifestyle, Poleng Lounge is the new destination for all who seek enlightenment through a full range of premium tea blends from around the world, an innovative presentation of street foods from all across Asia, playful cocktails, and eclectic music from both emerging and established artists. The space houses a tea bar, restaurant and night club.
Order off of their Dine About town Menu for some Walu kinilaw (a filipino ‘ceviche’ with butterfish), Thai Basil Eggplant, Shaking Beef along with Jade Chocolate’s Genmai chocolate tile.*Menu is subject to change.
Poleng Lounge is located at 1751 Fulton at Masonic in San Francisco. Dinner is from Sunday-Thursday. 415.441.1751.
I also paired a few wines with my chocolate bars. In the tasting arena, I introduced a sparkling wine from Italy called Prosecco. Clay Gordon, author of 
San Francisco’s 
