Christine Doerr's Blog (4)

In November we were invited to take a tour of my favorite creamery, Straus Family Creamery near Pedaluma. Although we didn’t get to see any actual cows, the pasture was too wet, we did get to observe a family-run business and try some of their tasty experimental ice cream flavors!



I was particularly excited as I have been using Straus cream in my truffles since I started my business. It really does make a difference in the taste and texture of the ganache. Most people I talk with… Continue

I was fortunate enough to be asked to participate on a panel of local women chocolate experts at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club. The subject - Women and Chocolate: A Natural Combination



How did that happen? Melena, owner of The Xocolate Bar in Berkeley asked me how I felt about public speaking. I suspiciously answered that I was better at demonstrating something like truffle making rather than being perched behind a podium. When she explained the panel-style of the… Continue

I must share with you one of the most incredible tours of anything I've ever been on, a rare tour through the Guittard Chocolate factory in Burlingame!



Mark Hodgson, Pastry Chef Instructor at City College of San Francisco has been working with me on product development for the last few months. He works with someone who is friends with Gary Guittard. It's always who you know and that allowed Mark 25 spaces for a tour of the factory.… Continue

Awards for the 2009 San Francisco International Chocolate Salon came out on Thursday. Neo Cocoa did quite well taking First Place in the BEST TRUFFLE category!





BEST TRUFFLE

First Place



BEST TRADITIONAL CHOCOLATES

Second Place



TOP ARTISAN CHOCOLATIER

Second Place - shared



MOST LUXURIOUS CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE

Second Place - shared



BEST IN SALON

Second Place - shared



NEW PRODUCT AWARD -… Continue