Classifieds - For Sale or Wanted
This is the group where ChocolateLife members can A) Advertise USED equipment for sale to other ChocolateLife members.B) Let other ChocolateLife members know that they are looking for equipment (new or used).See More
Discover Chocolate and Live La Vida Cocoa!
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Clay Gordon
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Clay Gordon's Groups
Clay Gordon's Discussions
Evaluation and Feedback
Started this discussion. Last reply by Melanie Boudar on Monday. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Lindt Opens New Flagship Store in Manhattan
Started this discussion. Last reply by Felipe Jaramillo F. May 13. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Examining a Mast Brothers Assertion
Started this discussion. Last reply by Thomas Forbes on Tuesday. 29 Replies 1 Like
Clay Gordon's Events
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Clay Gordon's Chocolate Life
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Clay Gordon replied to ralph carnesecchi's discussion Storage of bulk dark chocolate requires temp at about 65 degrees...Looking for refrig to do job. in the group Classifieds - For Sale or Wanted"Ralph:
One of the least-expensive ways to get decent capacity temperature-controlled storage is to use a standard chest freezer with a thermostat over-ride such as the one manufactured by Johnson Controls (they're used a lot by home brewers).…"
Giving Back
It's not enough to hand off to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) the responsibility to redress issues of ethical trade. The purpose of this group is to discuss ways to improve the quality of life of farm families and farm communities worldwide.
Christopher Wilson joined Clay Gordon's groupClassifieds - For Sale or Wanted
This is the group where ChocolateLife members can A) Advertise USED equipment for sale to other ChocolateLife members.B) Let other ChocolateLife members know that they are looking for equipment (new or used).See More
Thomas Forbes replied to Clay Gordon's discussion Examining a Mast Brothers Assertion"Farmers in the Dominican Republic who are members of farmer's cooperatives get the market price for the cacao. The benefits are access to fermentation centers, technical assistance, ability to get certified organic and 10% of the profits…"
Sunita de Tourreil replied to Clay Gordon's discussion Examining a Mast Brothers Assertion"Do farmers get such high prices for Fair Trade Organic cacao? This price seems more like what you would pay for a superior grade cacao. I was under the impression that FT cacao could bring a premium of about $150 above the commodity price... and I…"
Profile Information
- Dark, Milk, White?
- Dark, Milk, White
- Most memorable chocolate experience:
- The night in 1994 when I discovered the delights of origin chocolate.
- My favorite chocolate is:
- One that challenges my assumptions of what a chocolate can be.
How I Live The Chocolate Life
Living The Chocolate Life (or Living La Vida Cocoa) means something different to each of us.
I began my chocolate journey in 1994 after I discovered Bonnat chocolate. I quickly realized that there was no one talking about chocolate the same way as wine, so I decided, in an entrepreneurial epiphany, to become a chocolate critic.
My mission and goals have evolved along with my knowledge about, and appreciation for, chocolate. I did not decide on chocolate because I was passionate about it, I became passionate about chocolate through my long study and close association with people who are passionate about it. For me, chocolate is a lens through which I learn about geopolitics, history, agronomy, science, technology, cuisine, cultural anthropology, and much more.
I spent seven years teaching myself about chocolate and figuring out what I needed to know to become a credible chocolate critic. I started publishing chocophile.com in May 2001, and here I am nearly seven years later.
It's even more fun now than I had ever imagined it would be. In large measure it's because of people like you and the other members of this new community who share my passion for chocolate; your interest and enthusiasm energizes me.
You can contact me at claygordon (at) thechocolatelife (dot) com.
Clay Gordon's Photos
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Clay Gordon's Blog
Chocolate and Beer Pairings at the New York City Craft Beer Festival
Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:00pm 0 Comments 2 Likes
The New York City Craft Beer Festival took place on Saturday, March 3rd, at the Lexington Avenue Armory in Manhattan. Close to 60 craft breweries and cider makers from around the country were pouring over 100 different offerings covering the gamut of beer styles.
I was asked by Jimmy Carbone, owner of Jimmy's #43 and the host of…
Continue Holiday Party Wine, Beer, and Chocolate Pairing
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 6:12pm 0 Comments 2 Likes
The Setup
I was given the opportunity, earlier this week, to do the chocolate, wine, and beer pairings for a holiday party, co-sponsored by Valrhona, Fresh Direct, and Manhattan magazine, to which over 200 people were expected to attend.
There are always challenges with doing large scale events like this, but the major hurdle for this particular event was that I'd never tasted any of the wines that were going to be served and it had been a while since I'd…
Continue GetRealNY Belgian Festival Roundup
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 3:44pm 0 Comments 1 Like
GetRealNY's 2011 Belgian Festival took place July 8-9 at New York City's Altman Building.
Featuring brewed-in-Belgium and Belgian-style beers brewed in the US, the event attracted well over 2000 beer lovers during its four sessions. Nearly 80 beers of all styles were served from an innovative central…
Continue Do Your Chocolate Shopping Online - and Support TheChocolateLife
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 4:37pm 2 Comments 0 Likes
Now you can shop for chocolate on-line anywhere in the world and support TheChocolateLife at the same time.
You can shop at major merchants like Amazon.com (and amazon.co.uk - or anywhere, including eBay) for chocolate products:…
Continue Hotel Chocolat – Not Your Average Chocolate Company
Posted on July 15, 2010 at 11:03am 1 Comment 1 Like
Hotel Chocolat.
The name conjures up romantic images of languorous days spent in tropical splendor. Which is precisely the point, according to Angus Thirlwell, co-founder of the UK-based company. “The company has been around for nearly twenty years, originally as a catalog retailer,” explains Thirwell, “but about seven years ago we realized that our brand really didn't reflect our aspirations for…
Comment Wall (159 comments)
- At 9:28pm on April 24, 2012,
Mimi Wheeler said… Hi Clay
I am starting the process of selling my small, award winning and fast growing chocolate business. Is there a way to broadcast this fact in an appropriate way to members of this wonderful website? Mimi
- At 8:54pm on February 22, 2012,
Wendy Buckner said… Hi Clay! Hope things have been going well for you! Been away from here for a while! Just a friendly hello! ~Wendy
- At 8:08pm on January 24, 2012, Lisi Montoya said…
Thank you so much Clay, it was very nice to meet you. Hope to see you soon in Perú!
- At 4:30pm on December 20, 2011, marie rich said…
Hi Clay,
What chocolate plantation trips are in the near 2012 future ?
Thank you., Hope you are doing great ! Paula R. from Spokane , WA
- At 4:06pm on October 13, 2011,
Jennifer J. Wood said…
- Hello Clay, All the New Orleans places and yummy foods are still just as good if not better than ever. How can a girl from a place like NOLA not love chocolate :)
- At 11:48am on October 13, 2011,
Carla Martin said… - Hi Clay, Sounds good. ~Carla
- At 11:10am on October 13, 2011, Carla Martin said…
Hi Clay,
Thanks for your note. My dissertation focuses on the politics of language and music in Cape Verde and the Cape Verdean Diaspora. My research on chocolate is part of a newer project on the politics of food, though it involves many of the same issues. I'd be interested to learn more about what you might have in mind for The Chocolate Chronicles. I'd also very much like to interview you for my blog at some point, if you have the interest and availability.
Take care,
Carla
- At 4:27pm on August 6, 2011,
Jessie Dardar said… Thank you Clay,
looking forward to networking with people who have the same passion.
- At 1:35pm on July 8, 2011,
Sirius Chocolate said… Hi Clay,
I tried adding content to the Discover Chocolate Wiki, and could not get it to work. Ive developed several websites from the ground up, & consider myself at least a little bit internet savvy, but simply cannot figure out how to make it work. Is it not yet functional? Perhaps the instructions for how to add your company could be a little clearer...
Keep up the good work!
.:SiriuS:.
- At 9:51pm on June 20, 2011,
Sarah said… Clay,
If you make it to SF please let me know. It would be great to meet up. What type of event would you be doing? I came across your "Discover Chocolate" book and just ordered it, looking forward to the read. I am on a mission to learn everything I can about chocolate! After this trip to Ecuador I have been so inspired by chocolate and the people who grow and care about it. To tell you the truth, I got back and immediately went online to create a blog/twitter in hopes to find others who have been inspired by chocolate. Your website was exactly what I was looking for! The possibilities to create meaningful human connections, social awareness and adventures through chocolate has refreshed my outlook on life. Thank you for your work in pioneering an education/community around chocolate--it is just like wine culture! It looks like I will be attending the Fancy Foods Show in DC this July. If you will be attending we could also get a chance to meet there.
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