Chicago Chocolate Tour

Hey Gang!! I'm in Chicago - the weather is to die for, the architecture is fantastic, and the chocolate is plentiful. I think I want to move here. Or at least spend the next four days here.



The flights were easy, but the traffic from the airport was a bitch. However, our van driver was festive and some businessman gave me his card and told me to call him if I wanted to have drinks. (Um - no. But flattering nonetheless.)



I dumped my bags and hit the streets - I decided to walk the 17 blocks to make plenty of room for all the chocolate I was about to eat (a decision that seemed brilliant at the time.) My hotel is across from Millennium Park, which is gorgeous. Here are a couple of pics from my walk:






Can you tell how gorgeous the day is? And do you like the way I have juxtaposed the natural beauty of the tulips with the man made beauty of the sculpture? Hey - I didn't get that undergraduate degree in art history for nuthin'!


Well, you just gotta shoot the lions in front of the Art Institute:





And check these out! Notice the human at the base - they are gigantic!! American Gothic in front of the Chicago Tribune building. How cool is Chi Town?

As I was walking toward Bloomingdale's (which was the meeting place for the tour) - http://www.chicagochocolatetours.com/ I saw a woman in a lively yellow jacket with a purple purse. I think - "Look at her - she is so petite and looks so great in those bright colors." Then I notice she is carrying a chocolate tours sign! I kid you not - I say' "Valerie?" And she turns around - it's Valerie Beck from the website! She is very nice and gracious, loves both Chicago and chocolate. And she walked with me about 9 more blocks to the tour site.

My tour guide was actually Heidi Holladay (Valerie was leading another tour at the same time), a pastry chef and tour guide extraordinaire. She did a great job - taking us to six different sites and giving us loads of information about chocolate and Chicago along the way. The tour was supposed to last two hours, but ours lasted about three. No one complained - it was a fantastic time. But if any of you decide to go, budget extra time. You'll want it anyway - you might want to go back to some of the sites or stay longer at the last one.

Because I was carrying large bags of chocolate and a twelve pack of Diet Sierra Mist for my 17 block return trip, I am tired, so I'm only going to review the first two stops tonight. Now you might be thinking - why did Denise carry so much soda? I am addicted to diet soda and would rather get a lot at a drug store than try to find some at outrageous hotel rates. You might also be thinking - why did she not call a cab if she was carrying all this? IBecause I am stubborn (I really felt I should do some exercise after all this decadent eating) and I am essentially cheap. Why pay cab fare if you can manage to hobble 17 blocks with your arthritic hips carrying 20 pounds of chocolate and soda?



Remember, I have never claimed to be either sane or issue free.



I did have several interesting conversations with the homeless as I struggled along.



But I digress.



The first stop was teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland. I have written of teuscher before.

My friend Katie and I stopped in a teuscher store in New York when I was there for the Chocolate Show. I wasn't impressed then and I'm not impressed now. The prices are insanely high in my book and the decor says funeral parlor more than chocolate shop. I can't help it - it just creeps me out. They gave us a sample which was fine, but nothing that made me go crazy and buy a bunch of stuff. In both locations I found the staff snooty. Please - it's chocolate. Get over it. And you're in a mall. If you work in a mall, you really need to get over it.

Next stop was More Cupcakes (http://www.morecupcakes.com/). Now this was something - look at how this place is designed:

It's like a cupcake gallery or museum - gorgeous! And they have some amazing and creative flavors. They have more flavors in the shop than are listed on the website. We got to taste two mini cupcakes - the first was chocolate with chocolate icing; the second was chocolate with a vanilla icing. After the first sample (I didn't know there was going to be a second sample), I was so smitten I bought a full size cupcake - salted caramel. A yellow cake with caramel in the center and a light caramel frosting. And they pack it up in a great, sturdy box with a cool More Cupcakes sticker- very nice packaging. Woowee!

The small cupcakes were the perfect size - you could pop one in your mouth. They were fresh and delicious and the frosting was amazingly light.

But when I got back to my room and devoured - I mean daintily ate - the larger cupcake, I was disappointed. To be honest, it tasted a little stale. : (

I still think these were awesome cupcakes and this was most people's favorite stop on the tour. I would definitely give them another chance.

Okay - I'm smoked!! I'll give you more of my chocolate adventure tomorrow. Until then, sweet dreams!!!

Off to ChiTown

You know you are a slackard when your friends are writing to see if you are still alive. My sincere apologies. It is due to a way packed schedule, technical difficulties which have me contemplating killing something, and a love interest. What can I say?

Yes - things are still good on the dating front. I was taken out for a REALLY nice b-day dinner (yay!). This time last year I got nothing - oh, wait - I did get a call from Afghanistan. I should have known when he didn't even bother to send me an e-card. But things are looking up!! At some point I'll post a pic for you guys, but I'm just not ready to bring that up yet. I don't want him to think I'm insane. I try to hide that for as long as possible.

I'm leaving in the am for Chicago where I plan to take a chocolate tour on Saturday. I just got in (someone canceled - I was on a waiting list) to a special breakfast at Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House - how cool is that? I love FLW and this should be really amazing. More FLW on Monday and at some point I want to do an architectural riverboat tour. Then Tuesday and Wednesday - CANDY EXPO!!! I cannot wait!

In the meantime (I still have to pack, so forgive me!!), I have to show you the bag of candy I won from the National Confectioner's Association. This was a damn fine prize, let me just tell you!

I mean - look at all that candy! It's truly beautiful, isn't it? The bag was PACKED and it was a great assortment - LOTS of chocolate - Green and Black's, Reese's, Ghirardelli, Lindor Truffles - this was fantastic!! The National Confectioner's Association ROCKS!!!

Closing thoughts:

Try for the prize - you can't win if you don't enter.

Work hard, but plan a random silly adventure for yourself. It keeps you interesting.

I do have to say I think anyone who reads this crazy blog must be interesting. I wish I could take all of you to ChiTown with me!!

Thanks for your patience and support and I will do my best to post from Chicago. In the meantime, seize the chocolate!

Exciting Stuff!

There are big things going on here in North Carolina!! Tonight I'm getting the NC CPA Association's Speaker of the Year award. I'm really excited because I've never gotten anything like this before. You know, you just don't have that many chances to get awards as an adult. When you're a kid there's perfect attendance and sports and good grades, etc. etc. But who cheers you on as an adult? Especially when you work for yourself? And the man I'm dating is going with me! He actually wanted to come! How cool is that?

Okay - that may seem like no big deal to you, but I've attended functions solo for 12 years and it gets really old. You gotta love a guy who will sit through something like this voluntarily. He gets BIG bonus points in my book.

So - YAY!!

Also exciting is the fact that the Field Museum's amazing Chocolate Exhibition http://www.fieldmuseum.org/chocolate/ is coming to Raleigh!!! The website is really cool - I can't wait to see what the exhibition looks like!!! Wheee!! It opens this weekend, but I'm not sure when I'll get there. You can bet it will be soon!! You will see pictures and hear tales.

Also HUGE is my trip to Chicago next week for candy expo!! OMG - I am sooo excited about this!
I mean - look how amazing this is: www.allcandyexpo.com

Over 450 confectionery and snack companies from around the world
12,000 qualified industry professionals in attendance
Visitors from 69 countries attend and exhibit
More than 2,000 NEW snack and confectionery items on display

I think my head might explode when I walk in - the map of the exhibit hall looks like a small city. A city of candy! I don't think they'll let me take pictures, but I'll do my best to describe everything!! I'm also doing a chocolate tour of Chicago while I'm there, so I'll have lots to report.

What fun things are you planning? If any of you want to plan a road trip to Raleigh to see the Chocolate Exhibition - you just let me know and I'll go with you! Remember - you only get to live this life once - make it count!!

And I Thought I Was Sooo Original!

There really is nothing new under the sun.

You all have to check this out:

http://site.churchofchocolate.org/

And I thought I was inventing a religion.

Do you think I can still wear the hat?

Scott's Cakes 1 lb. Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Purple and Pink Iced Butterfly Sugar Cookie

I cannot rate this item because it was never delivered to my daughter in Orlando as I ordered. On June 25, I placed an order online and requested that I receive an e-mail confirmation. When an e-mail was not received, I called the company and was told it was sent. On July 2, I called because my daughter had still not received the item and was told to give it a couple of more days. On July 6, I again called and was told that it would be resent. Today is July 17 and nothing has been received. When I call the company, I feel like I am bothering someone and being unreasonable to expect that I receive a product for the money that was paid. I will never use this company again and would never recommend this company
Buy Scott's Cakes 1 lb. Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Purple and Pink Iced Butterfly Sugar Cookie!

Keep Walking, No Matter What, Keep Walking

Things still going good on the dating front - I hate to say too much - I'm so afraid I'll jinx it!! Just know that so far, so good.


I did get a drunk dial from Afghanistan Man Saturday night. You gotta love that - he asked me for the second time if I had one of his motorcycle helmets. I told him again - no. I reminded him that I had no reason to keep it - I don't have a motorcycle. He said I might have kept it out of spite! Ha, ha, ha! Can you imagine? I said "Let me get this straight - I send you nine months of care packages while you're overseas, but I kidnap your motorcycle helmet? Surely you know me better than that."


What could he say other than that he was sorry?


I think that alcohol and loneliness must have combined to make calling me yet again seem like a good idea.


I have to say that, in retrospect, finding his online profile was a great thing. If I hadn't, I would probably be embroiled in a horrible relationship right now wondering why things didn't seem quite right. Instead, while it hurt like hell at the time, it freed me to meet a much, much, MUCH better man.


Just goes to show you that sometimes things really do work out for the best. We can't see it at the time, but they often do. They make you stronger, they open you up to new opportunities, and maybe when one door closes another door really does open. We just have to keep walking.


And speaking of keeping walking - I have NEVER, EVER won one of those contests where you have to guess how many things are in the container. In fact, I seldom even try because it just seems impossible. BUT when the National Confectioners Association and my good friend Carl Weaver (check out their great blog at http://candydishblog.com/) had such a contest for free candy, I gave it a shot. And I won! Well, I came in second, but I still got the prize!

Don't we all have an increasingly long list of "I never win at those" or "I can't sing, wear that, dance, etc. etc." or "I could never....." The older we get, the more we take things off the table. The more we limit our own possibilities. Here's another challenge for you - the next time you catch yourself taking something off the table - force yourself to put it back on. Sing the song, wear the outfit, play the game, enter the contest - you might be surprised at what happens.

Just give it a shot, just keep going, just stay in the game. And if you get discouraged, you let me know. I'll be glad to pull you up and/or push you forward. And as long as I have candy, I will share it with you.

Blob, Cluster, Turtle - Chocolate Evolution

I have a confession to make. I didn't really know there was a difference between a "cluster" and a "turtle." I thought they were all blobs of goo (marshmallow, caramel, peanut butter, whatever) and nuts covered with chocolate.



So little I know, so much I have to learn.

According to About.com in their candy section - "Turtle Candies get their name from their whimsical turtle shape. The combination of toasted pecans, soft caramel and smooth chocolate is impossible to resist. Some people make their turtles with 3 pecans: 1 for the head, and 2 for the front legs. I prefer to use 4 (for all 4 legs-I guess my turtles don't have heads) but you can modify to suit your tastes."

Hmmmm........I really didn't know. Heads, legs, - complicated. I've had turtles before. They're good. But then I had Mama Laura's turtles:

Mama Laura's turtles are so good, there is no reason to ever eat any other turtles ever again. Her turtles made me want to know just what turtles were. Her turtles are indeed Saint worthy. Her place in chocolate heaven is completely locked in now!

These are make your eyes roll back in your head good. The turtle shell is a mountain of delicious, gooey caramel that blows all that other lame turtle caramel away. The chocolate is fabulous, the pecans fresh. These turtles are life changing. Mama Laura is amazing!! Thus, our first Church of Chocolate Saint. I have to say that eating these are definitely a religious experience.

Now these are clusters, which apparently are blobs of goo (caramel, marshmallow, peanut butter, etc.) and nuts covered with chocolate. I have three GooGoo Clusters and one (yes, I keep giving them a chance) Russell Stover Almond Delight (cluster).

GooGoo Clusters (http://www.googoo.com/) come in three flavors. We'll cover each one. First let's look at all of these naked:

We don't have anything against nudity in the Church of Chocolate, by the way.

We'll start with the upper left - the GooGoo Supreme. This one has milk chocolate, pecans, caramel and marshmallow. Next to it on the right is the GooGoo Cluster. It's the same but with peanuts instead of pecans. Bottom left is Almond Delight with milk chocolate, caramel and almonds. And finally, GooGoo Peanut Butter, with milk chocolate, peanuts and peanut butter.

Let's just say that Russell Stover continues to be lame. As you can see from the nude shots, there is way more chocolate than nuts. It's applied in a too thick layer and overpowers the caramel and the nuts. You can barely even taste the almonds. The caramel and the chocolate are sub par. This should be called Almond Plight - I feel sorry that almonds gave their lives for this.

I also am proud to announce that GooGoo Clusters ROCK! Made since 1912 in Nashville, TN by the Standard Candy Company. You know how I love these independent candy companies!!! If you haven't tried a GooGoo Cluster - you should! They have them in those nostalgia candy places (Cracker Barrel) and I see them in convenience stores from time to time. The next time you see one - try it!

Back to the clusters - Supreme has the pecans, but I prefer the peanuts in the standard cluster. The pecans seem a little too sweet, I prefer the saltier peanut. But I was impressed by how many nuts were packed in these - the way it should be if you ask me!! And the marshmallow is balanced perfectly with the caramel and the chocolate - you will love these. I kid you not.

But my favorite, a true work of candy art - was the GooGoo Peanut Butter. No caramel and marshmallow here - just packed with peanut butter and peanuts and coated with chocolate - fantastic!!

I even liked the GooGoo Peanut Butter better than Koeze's Cream Nut Peanut Butter Clusters. Remember them? (I reviewed them and Reese's Clusters around Christmas). GooGoo is the best.

And you know what? When GooGoo Clusters first came out - all candy bars were rectangular. No one knew what to call these weird globs. They were hard to wrap. They didn't fit in. I like that - GooGoo Cluster have been rebels since 1912. They were making candy bars that weren't bars. At the Church of Chocolate, we let everybody in - especially nuts and rebels. Actually, we might not have any members if it weren't for nuts and rebels.

Have a nutty and rebellious week!