Aloha! The factory has been a little quiet for the last 10 days with our “chef du chocolat,” Lauren, lounging on the beach in Hawai’i. We needed her well rested because the factory is going to crank up production with her return this week. Everything in our new fall collection is on the agenda to get done: more Pumpkin Spice, more Peppermint Bark, more Bourbon Pecan truffles, as well as everything else. Whew, we are going to be busy little oompah loompahs.

But the holidays will soon be upon us and we have to have the chocolate YOU want when you want it! And we are happy to have it ready at a moments notice.

Want a preview, come on over to the SF Luxury Chocolate Salon on November 14th (Fort Mason, 10 – 5, pre-purchased tickets only) and see what all of our new goodies look like. You might even get to taste – you never know! Stop by to say hello, and if you mention that you read about the salon in our blog you get a free chocolate sample! Aloha!

http://www.fallchocolatesalon.com/

It’s a Great Pumpkin (Spice) Charlie Brown

Maybe Linus would have gone trick or treating if he thought he might have been given a pumpkin chocolate for Halloween. Here at the factory we know it’s fall and can’t wait to share our seasonal special, Pumpkin Spice Chocolate. Who can resist pumpkin puree, white chocolate and just the right amount of spices to make you swear off bland pie in a soggy crust for good!

Yes, we are treading on hallowed ground, but sometimes after a big meal, and there is one upcoming in November, a slice of pie is just too much (but you eat the whole thing anyway) when all you want is a taste…just a small something to satisfy your sweet tooth. Coco Delice to the rescue! Our Pumpkin Spice Chocolates is the perfect nibble with a cup of coffee (or something a bit stronger) at meal’s end. And we won’t tell anyone if you have a second helping. Plus you save calories - no whipped cream!

Finding pumpkin puree was no simple trick in the middle of summer, but we were determined to have the quintessential Fall dessert ready for you by Halloween. Because maybe this year the Great Pumpkin will recognize that our Pumpkin Spice Chocolate is the most sincere pumpkin chocolate and rise over the factory to bring us presents. And do we love presents!

New Beginnings

Yes, it’s been awhile since we’ve blogged, but so many
good things have been happening it’s hard to keep up!

First, welcome to the new factory in Emeryville! We are just down the street from our friends a Pixar and the HQ of Peet’s Coffee.

We moved into a bigger factory last fall (which also happened to be in the middle of a major construction zone-see pic at right) which made the crazy holiday season a bit more manageable. The picture below shows the completed version of the project-much better!

We now have a separate room (aka the chocolate cave) dedicated to the molded chocolate production featuring the ever temperamental tempering machine nicknamed “Johnny Drama.” Lots of room for the machines and racks and shelves and a very large work table.

Plus a viewing window where we kept up to date on the construction that went on right outside the front door all winter and spring. Whew-are we glad that is done!!

Chef Dennis made the decision to go with induction burners so no stove giving off heat in the main work room. A very cool improvement, indeed. And plenty of room for boxing and packaging and moving around. We even took time to brighten the place up by painting a few of the walls in “Refreshing Mimosa” which looks great!