Making the world a little sweeter one pastry tip at at time.
Chocolate feathers! Great video tutorial on making white chocolate feathers. This video comes by way of ‘How to Cook That’ by Ann Reardon. Decorate cakes or dessert platters with the finished feathers. Steps to Make the Chocolate Feathers Lay a silicone sheet on your work …read more
In an article by Oliver Nieburg+ posted to Confectionery News, an Ivorian cocoa embargo will likely be if a Nestlé, ADM and Cargill child slavery case succeeds, says judge. The original case was from July 2005 from three former trafficked Mali children in the 1990s …read more
According to The Hill, the NCA (National Confectioners Association) wants to end any notion they support a trade loophole that enables certain importing of goods made of child or slave labor – if the demand for the product is there and supports it.
The Senate recently voted to approve a currency bill that would penalize countries that manipulate their currencies – and in it is a provision that would remove a loophole for forced labor that is in place for certain goods coming into the U.S. – the cocoa commodity being one of them.
And while the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 encompasses a great deal more, Human Rights First, as well as well as the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking, is lauding the smaller provisions.
From Human Rights First:
Human Rights First today welcomed the Senate’s passage of section 912 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 ( S. 1269), a provision to strengthen prohibitions on the importation of goods produced by forced labor slavery.
The statement from ATEST and endslaveryandtrafficking.org:
The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) strongly supports section 912 of S. 1269, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. This provision strengthens existing authority to prohibit the importation of goods made with forced, prison, or other exploitative labor. The Act removes a pernicious exception to this existing authority that allows for the importation of such goods if there is a “consumptive demand” for them.
Child labor, human trafficking, and slave labor has been a hidden, ongoing problem with the cocoa industry, notably on the Ivory Coast of Africa. It remains to be seen whether this small provision will have a major impact – and a positive change – on bringing an end to child labor in the confectionery supply chains.
Another great video from Albarock: Technique du cornet au chocolate – cornet techniques with chocolate. His recipe for the chocolate: for the amount of chocolate in weight, add in 10% of that in oil (example – 100g of chocolate, add in 10g of oil). Melt …read more
2nd Annual Monterey-Carmel Chocolate SalaonCourtesy montereychocolatesalon.com. Chocolate event coming up on May 2, 2015. 2nd Annual Monterey-Carmel Chocolate Salon at Carmel by the Sea, CA “Discover, Savor & Taste From Some of the Finest Chocolatiers and Confectioners” Event Details: Chocolate Salon: montereychocolatesalon.com Save the Date: …read more
Those in the Boulder, CO and surrounding area already know about Piece, Love and Chocolate. For those that don’t, it’s a ‘sweet shop dedicated to all things chocolate’ – a little place that will ‘amuse your bouche and enchant your soul.’ A quick look at the Google reviews (and the overwhelming majority are glowing reviews) will show that the shop showcases truffles, baked goods, and gluten-free cakes. And the chocolate boutique features classes (like the upcoming Chocolate Pots de Creme, Pudding & Creme Brulee by Chefs Genny and Sarah).
It is also facing a battle with Vosges Haut-Chocolate. Piece, Love and Chocolate issued an open letter to them and the company’s founder, Katrina Markoff, regarding the cease and desist letter it had received from their attorneys. It seems Vosges Haut-Chocolate believe Piece, Love and Chocolate have infringed on the ‘Peace, Love, and Chocolate’ trademark.
I first saw the news on my twitter feed, and I found it interesting, especially after @dallasfoodorg pointed to his followers the many instances of others using the same phrase in business (tshirts), published books, and Piece, Love and Chocolate’s own LLC filing – all before (and in some cases many years) before the ‘Peace, Love, and Chocolate’ trademark was registered.
There are many questions here, especially when the situation is between a prior user vs. a federal registration. And why a cease and desist letter was issued now when the business has been so active and in the public eye in the state of Colorado for so long. And considering the phrase in question is spelled differently (piece vs peace even) – unlike Peace Love and Chocolate which has the same exact phrasing and spelling.
Many will be following this to see how it ends. Especially those who love chocolate and support small, thriving businesses that benefit their communities.
Cadbury Eggs, those egg-shaped creme-filled Easter-time chocolate treats, have changed things up a bit for 2015. The Hershey Company is licensed to manufacture the Cadbury Creme Egg (and other Cadbury chocolate products). Changes to look for in 2015 involving the Cadbury egg: product count reduced …read more
Ebola has worried many, including chocolatiers. The Ivory Coast of Africa, Côte D’Ivoire, leads the world in cocoa production. While the Ebola virus has not yet traveled there, the Ivory Coast borders Liberia and Guinea, two countries ravaged by the virus. Some are worried that chocolate …read more
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| Inside Arnaud Larher’s Kitchen – Image via YouTube. |
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a French pastry shop? This video shows what a typical day is inside the kitchens of Arnaud Larher, a French pastry chef. I wish I could taste one of everything that is made here.
A link to his shop is here: Arnaud Larher. How can anyone resist a seemingly Californian flip flop tart created by a French pastry chef, MOF 2007 at that? (Find it on his website.)
Enjoy.
I recently posted on the Old School Pastry blog the original recipe for “Some More” (S’mores) from the 1927 Girl Scout handbook Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. It also has a wealth of info on starting, maintaining, and extinguishing campfires. Enjoy. 🙂