Trends from the World's Top Chocolate Artisans

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Permalink Reply by Gwen Borders on May 7, 2008 at 9:50am

Jeff - thanks for posting. I'll be there :)

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Permalink Reply by Clay Gordon on May 7, 2008 at 10:18am

To everyone who is going to be there from those of us who aren't, please take photos and/or videos, post comments and the like.

Thanks,
:: Clay

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on May 7, 2008 at 11:11am

Looking forward to meeting you gwen. This is very last minute but i am honored to have been chosen as a "trendsetter". My friend "paul" from chefrubber is the moderator; should be fairly lively.

nothing like an all expense paid 48 hour journey to chicago.

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Permalink Reply by Gwen Borders on May 7, 2008 at 11:17am

Well, if you are having all your expenses paid, then I expect you to buy me a drink or two, because I'm paying my own way :D I can't believe how much the All Candy Expo has evolved. My goodness, it has a star-studded cast of characters! It will be fun.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on May 7, 2008 at 11:39am

so you wanna go drinking with the big boys do ya?

well well well......

I must warn you my chicago crew has nefarious ways and means and we often watch the sunrise from atop the sears tower after an all night binge.....of chocolate, or course...

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Permalink Reply by Gwen Borders on May 7, 2008 at 11:47am

absolutely - those are the only boys to hang with :D

i come from a town that spawned Alice Cooper, Kid Rock, Eminem, Madonna, Lily Tomlin, Gilda Radnerand all of the Motown greats --as for me i am a humble Mary Poppins type. purveying chocolate, intent on healing the souls of the suffering, with the knowledge that "just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down" ;D

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Permalink Reply by Irma Wiese on May 8, 2008 at 8:56am

Jeff and Gwen,

I'll be at the All Candy Expo as well. This will be my first time. I'm new to the business. Maybe I'll join you for a drink or two!!

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on May 26, 2008 at 12:10pm

Well that was fast and furious. It was nice to meet you gwen. I am not sure we accomplished a damn thing in 45 minutes but we gave it a good shot.

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Permalink Reply by cybele on May 26, 2008 at 12:16pm

Can someone post a synopsis or notes from the session?

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on May 26, 2008 at 12:45pm

A lot of people were scribbling hard cybele.

we did, however touch upon many subjects. My favorites being the edumacation of the american palate in regards to finer chocolate, the inherent retailer/producer struggle of shelf life for finer chocolates, the incredibly high and rising cost of basic ingredients and shipping, and the Mass vs. Artisan approach.....

gwen would probably have a better handle on what was actually said ....my memory is shot

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Permalink Reply by Irma Wiese on May 26, 2008 at 12:57pm

Hi Jeff,

It was a very informative session, although short and fast. Sorry, I was in a hurry to beat the Chicago traffic going home, I did not have the time to introduce myself to you. I hope you enjoyed your stay in Chicago.

Irma

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Permalink Reply by Gwen Borders on May 27, 2008 at 7:29am

Hi - yes, it was nice to meet you too, Jeff.

As for "trends", there weren't any specific trends that were nailed down. It was more of a state of the industry talk. There was a bit of a compare and contrast thing going on between the mega-Lindt and the independents (Michael and Jeff). The Chef Rubber-man and Elaine Gonzalez offered a juxtaposition, which wasn't exactly clear.

As for what was stated by several panelists:

a) It is perfectly acceptable to enjoy milk chocolate. Elaine Gonzalez was adamant about this, since she truly loves milk chocolate herself.

b) Things change when a chocolate recipe turns into a chocolate formula in order to increase shelf-life. Is this the point at which the scale tips and one ceases to be a chocolate artisan and turns into a chocolate scientist instead?

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