The Chocolate Life

Discover Chocolate and Live La Vida Cocoa!

Andy Ciordia
  • Male
  • Charlotte, NC
  • United States
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Andy Ciordia's Friends

  • Michelle
  • Sara Meyer
  • PHLChocolate
  • Andrew Montroy
  • Christopher M Koshak
  • Dawn-Marie Lambert
  • Karen Blueberry
  • Solis Lujan
  • Patti Humbert
  • Daniel Herskovic
  • Todd Masonis
  • Dave Elliott
  • Wendy Buckner
  • Susan Van Horn
  • Rich Cohen

Andy Ciordia's Discussions

Enrober Paper redux

Started this discussion. Last reply by antonino allegra Aug 30, 2012. 8 Replies

Kitchen Aid Panning Attachment

Started this discussion. Last reply by Jim Greenberg Jul 4, 2012. 11 Replies

The Secret Chocolatier's Diary

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Andy Ciordia's Page

Latest Activity

Michelle and Andy Ciordia are now friends
Monday
Andy Ciordia replied to Maggie Prittie's discussion losing temper w/tempering
"Every chocolate is a little different so do a little research into what your chocolate really wants in temperature. Off the top of my head I know our 55% we hit 112 for melt, then down to 87 with seed, then working temps are about 90 and we notch up…"
May 13
Andy Ciordia and Sara Meyer are now friends
May 13
Andy Ciordia replied to Sara Meyer's discussion Outdoor market
"Wine fridges can only help if the ambiant air is +/- 15' of your desired temp. I can tell you from experience you will freeze up the unit. Not to mention every time you open the door you flush the unit and those units do not have the return…"
May 6
Andy Ciordia replied to Sara Meyer's discussion Outdoor market
"These type of questions come up each season. Search around the forums for a lot of…"
May 6
Andy Ciordia replied to Karen Neugebauer's discussion Opening a retail chocolate shop
"50/50 is the start of a distributor relationship, beware as heading that route with broker fees can get to 70% in heartbeats.  We offer up to 30% and if a retailer wants more we explain that they can upcharge to finish off their margin…"
May 6
Andy Ciordia replied to Andy Ciordia's discussion Chocolate Parties in the group Startup Central
"Chris, thanks for the input. I hadn't thought about the general competition of places that host but that's a good way to check yourself for balance. Appreciate that."
May 6
Andy Ciordia replied to Andrew Beasley's discussion Fastest way to cool chocolate in the group Startup Central
"Andrew I don't have any comment on where you're heading. I do have a curiosity which will add to your discussion. Even if you cool something down rapidly you may beat the temper to the punch. We make a lot of bark and even if I…"
May 6

Profile Information

Dark, Milk, White?
Dark
Most memorable chocolate experience:
I love room temperature chocolate truffles. If the coating is hardy enough it will hold runny inside together long enough for a flavor explosion upon devouring. Favorite of the summer was our own orange infused truffles.
My favorite chocolate is:
Currently, Potomac 76% -- taste like a Cab, great body.

The Secret Chocolatier

It's great being a part of a family you cherish, it's even better if you can start a good business too. Almost a year ago we formed The Secret Chocolatier. My father inlaw has been a pastry chef for decades and when his current employ was untimely closed we decided to do something different, something creative, something we could all enjoy.

Well if you're here you know we all love chocolate.

We're working on finding more retail outlets in our area and beyond and trying to grow as organically as we can. We also support the local farming community and the principles behind "Slow Food" so we work towards seasonal ingredients.

We also started a blog not too long ago and are filling it with information, family memories, and some of our adventures in homemade chocolate.

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Andy Ciordia's Blog

The Beginning of Our Chocolate Travels

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 10:27am 0 Comments

To enrich this community I've been asked to bring over some of the content we've published on our chocolatier "diary". To give a bit more about who we are what a better place to begin than the beginning. We're having a lot of fun in the Charlotte, NC area and we hope this inspires you to either participate more locally, or try your own thing. :)




Where do we begin on this epic tale of homemade chocolate insanity. Do we start at the… Continue

Comment Wall (9 comments)

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At 6:55pm on July 12, 2012, Susan Van Horn said…

And at that point, I believe you become St. Andy! ;-)

At 7:32pm on April 24, 2010, Pierre (Pete) Trinque said…
Andy,

Would love to talk with you aswe both go through the process. We have finally recieved the lease documents and are going over them this weekend. Will review with attorney this week. Want to get together with builder and architect ASAP sothat we can start getting the surprises that will come.

Look forward to communicating with you further.


Pierre
At 3:27am on January 4, 2010, Arun Bhargava said…
Hi Andy,

Thanks fro your messge. We have customers within India, and in many countries, and price are to be given in different currencies.

So, that is why there are no prices on our website (www.ipfco.com)

( we are working on to create updated website, where in customers can log in and then they will be able to get prices, but, we may be 5 to 7 months away from that time).

It would be nice if you can tell me what items you find interesting, and we will give you prices.

Small orders are quite welcome, any time.

Please reach me on sales@ipfco.com (if it is ok with you and this website rules).

Regards,
Arun.
At 11:26am on April 28, 2009, Laurie Douglass said…
Thanks Andy - I appreciate the tips!
At 10:08pm on January 20, 2009, Amber S. said…
Hi Andy,
I guess I looked at your website after posting and realized you are hosting lots of local events. I always leap before I look. I am trying not to do that with my own start-up so thats why Im spewing unsolicited advice. I live in a small 'mill town' in Canada where the mill is in danger of closing. I only moved here a year ago, to get away from the 'big city' so one of the (many) challenges Im facing is marketing to a cash poor population. I stumbled upon this book by accident and spent the day reading about local history. I guess I just wanted to share...
At 9:49pm on January 20, 2009, Amber S. said…
Hi Andy. Ive just joined (formally) and was interested in your posts in Start-Up Central. I was at the library today trying to further my own endeavours and read the first chapter of a book called (I think) Small Town Survival Guide or something similar. It is a book about how the economy of small towns operates and is challenged by today's economical system. The first chapter had some really interesting thoughts about marketing to local communities and shaping your goals to meet a community 'vision'.

I think this is timely in light of the north american 'local' movement. I wish I had actually checked this book out to be able to give you more details, but maybe you are past this dilemma you had previously mentioned. As well I don't know how big a town you live in, but no matter I think community minded angle to your purchasing and marketing is a must for start ups... Is that a no brainer?
At 12:53pm on January 16, 2009, katiebobus said…
I LOVE the spherical one, but I had mixed results with the flat squares one - the first ganache I tried in it was too soft, and even freezing it didn't stop it from adhering to the sides. I had to scoop all the ganache out of the holes, which was not cool. A pate de fruit worked great, though, so I think it was just the consistency of the ganache that was the problem. I haven't tried caramel as originally planned, but I will! Thanks for asking.
At 12:45pm on December 16, 2008, Clay Gordon said…
Andy:

One of the reasons I founded TheChocolateLife was to create a place where people who are passionate about chocolate can share their passion - and learn from - others. Not sure that all life's lessons need to be painful, but I do know that chocolate can take the sting out of many of them.

I see the link to your site (which I encourage) and the link to your personal blog. I don't do link shares, so I encourage you to share some of those stories as blog posts here on TheChocolateLife for members who may not visit your profile page.
At 12:27pm on December 16, 2008, Clay Gordon said…
Andy:

Welcome to TheChocolateLife. From LinkedIn I know that you operate a chocolate business, and I want to point out that there are a number of groups here that may be of assistance to you in growing your business. I am looking forward to learning more about you and your business.

:: Clay
 
 
 

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