chocolate show
Has anybody ever been to the Chocolate Show? (next week- see link). Is it fun for a non-industry person? Anything I shouldn't miss?
Thanks.
Tamar G
Nov 06, 2003 10:08AM
3 Replies so Far
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I went two years in a row, and I won't be back. It's a PR gimmick for chocolate retailers. Overpriced event, and no chocolate that I was really interested in. IMO, don't bother. Spend your money on good chocolate that you like, in a shop.
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Attended the first one (at the incredible edible Puck Building!) back in 1998...Think it cost 5 bucks and was worth every cent...now overhyped and underwhelming.
Nina once again on the mark...find any gourmet market and try out various styles and chocolate concentrations...some brands to look for:
VALRHONA
SCHARFFENBERGER
MICHEL CLUIZEL
BERNARD CASTELAIN (the "Macaibo", coffee-flavored & Dessert Bars)
UTOPIA(Hard-to-find, may have to go to Paris)
Anyway, buy an assortment of, say, Dark/Noire bars, flavored bars, 66, 70, & 85% Cacao-content bars (and if you're ultra-brave, a Cluizel-99%!)...I GUARANTEE you'll relegate anything spelled N-E-S-T-L-E, Whitman Samplers and Russell Stovers to the scrap heap forever.
(In case you were wondering, Hershey's newly-marketed Dark Kisses in the extraordinary purple foil are, IMO, AOK).
If you haven't fully satisfied your jones, head straight for DUMBO (under the bridges in B'klyn) and order up the hot chocolate @ JACQUES TORRES.
Feel the power!
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Despite what other people have said about the show, I've really enjoyed the Chocolate Show over the last couple of years. Yes, it is crowded--particularly on the weekends--but I think its worthwhile. Yes, you can get some great chocolate in small shops and gourmet markets--but I've enjoyed meeting the producers of these chocolates and the sampling. Dean & Deluca and Garden of Eden have tons of these chocolates, but going to the show has allowed me to sample Valrhona, Guittard, Cluizel, Green & Black, Knipschildt, etc without having to buy them first. Also, don't forget about the cooking demos--here's an opportunity to see the top pastry chefs in NYC in person and sample their desserts. Go during the week or very early on the weekend.
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