Blog
06
Sep
2010
Chocolate is an amazing food - the food of the gods, they say. We all know chocolate coated blueberries, raspberries, strawberries are delicious. How about pineapples and bananas? Chocolate fondue - you can dip just about anything. According to Master BBQ King, Ronnie Sewchuk, chocolate in the marinade and rub is the secret to a great barbecue. But, what about chocolate coated ants? (Actually, just a bit crunchy, but not bad) Grasshoppers - yep. Same thing, Rattlesnake? Tastes like chicken. What are some of the more unusual chocolate coated foods you have eaten or come across?
30
Aug
2010
The 8th Annual West Coast Chocolate Festival has moved to a new level. Fulfilling the Society's mandate - mentored work experiences for youth, thru the message of chocolate, the Lower Mainland will be host to a plethora of sweet events. Opening October 15, with Panache at Vistas, top of the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside, and closing with the History of Chocolate and Reception at the Port Moody Galleria, November 7, the Chocolate Festival has an array of events and treats to tempt everyone. Cooking with Chocolate, Chocolate Pairings, even Chocolate Romance Package in the fabulous cottages at the idyllic Pretty Estates, Sandpiper Resort, Harrison Mills. Chocolate Golf Balls anyone?
04
Aug
2010
On July 28, 2010, Festival intern Hifsa Arshad along with the Festival’s Media Crew visited the Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver. The 3-hour class was directed by Pastry Chef Marco Ropke, owner of the pastry school. In the perspective of a designer with some experience in architecture, I (Hifsa) found his school to be spacious and well-layed out. He even had a large mirror angled above him so the entire table could see inside his pots without having to crane our necks. He taught how to create Rye Bread: Chocolate Cherry, Crème Brûlée: Chocolate Cardamom & Coffee, Crumble/Streusel: Cocoa, and Jelly Orange & Saffron. During the Festival, Chef Ropke will be hosting "Cooking with Chocolate" classes which are listed under the calendar events.
29
Jul
2010
On Monday, July 26, 2010, West Coast Chocolate Festival intern, Chelsea Reeves, and volunteer, Thomas Li, made their way out to the Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club in Richmond, BC for an exciting day on the golf course. The pair represented the Festival as on course sponsors for a tournament with over 180 attendees, 22 stations around the course, over 60 volunteers and 40 sponsors – a great networking and marketing opportunity!
23
Jul
2010
On Wednesday, July 21, 2010, Festival intern Chelsea Reeves had the pleasure of attending a class titled “The Art of French Macarons” at the Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver. This four hour class, taught by owner and Pastry Chef Marco Ropke, covered the secrets and tricks of the trade for the perfect macaron.
