tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42645785382476728362024-03-12T17:37:28.426-06:00Chocolate and French LessonsThis is a journal of a Frenchy chocolaterie (et petite pâtisserie) ownerShannon Hughes Grochowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823956662174451986noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-5484985985996536472017-09-29T01:55:00.001-06:002017-09-29T01:56:52.497-06:00S'épanouir<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Every summer since Wlady and I married, more than ten years ago, we've traveled to France with our children to visit <i>Grand-Mère</i>, intent on enriching Wlady's two dual-citizen boys and to introduce my daughter and two young boys to the french culture. Now they are older and have heads full of french delicious memories : jellyfish stings along the Côte d'Azur, swimming in underwear in Bretagne, suffocating without air-conditioning in </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grand-Mère</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'s Mercedes, and wrangling one another for the last piece of baguette. We've always insisted that they try to eat everything just once, whether frog legs, snails, pungent camembert cheese or rabbit. Our priority was to raise good eaters instead of one's who only ate pizza, hamburgers and tacos. They are now young adults and we'd like to think they are bi-cultural, considering France their second home. Some are even plotting to move here for good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since our children have grown and they now have numerous fishing rods, skateboards, girlfriends and we have a young dog who thinks she's our child, we've decided that we've outgrown </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grand-Mère</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'s apartment and quite frankly, it exhausts her to have too many to cook and clean for at her age. So, we bought a small country house deep in the hilly forests of Bourgogne along the Yonne River in a village with a classy name. It has been in neglect for some time, with peeling walls, a heating system that froze last winter when temperatures plummeted to 3 degrees Fahrenheit for two weeks, overgrown vines that have crept and gnarled right through the cement, peeling walls, mismatched tiling and lazy patchwork. But we couldn't love it more. And Wlady said “we're going to do right by her bring her back to her glory.” (<i>La Maison</i> is a feminine noun). That's his love language. Although he used to be an I.T. network manager/Accounting brainiac, he truly loves repairing, fixing and making things whole again. (Maybe that's why he was attracted to me? I was indeed a bit broken when we met.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aside from spending time with our bustling family and dog here, we will host future chocolate workshops to our sweet-tooth customers. Because people have asked us how we create a line of 50+ chocolates and desserts since we opened La Châtelaine Chocolat Co, eleven years ago, it's only fitting to bring them here. We are going to show them the entire process from initial inspiration to tempering, like we did at our last workshop in Provence in May. We'd also like to involve </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grand-Mère</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, the finest french cook I've eaten from. She has cooked three-course meals for our family all these years and the kids have begged us to write down her “<i>recettes</i>”/recipes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">p.s. There is a french word that reminds me of what France has done for my life: s'épanouir. I would like to see it do the same for others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Larousse dictionary defines the word this way:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">to blossom;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taking full and harmonious forms, achieving a full and happy stage of development;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To acquire the fullness of his intellectual or physical faculties; and</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">being well in his skin, in his body.</span></li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-56276813933453020702017-05-23T10:20:00.000-06:002017-05-23T10:33:24.699-06:00Chocolate & French Dessert Workshop Autumn 2017<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a box of chocolates</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning French Desserts</td></tr>
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We are returning to this village in October for our 2nd workshop, when plane tickets are cheap and France is devoid of tourists.<br />
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<i>no ordinary cooking class</i></div>
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You'll experience the essence of France and use all of your senses. You'll slow down. You'll be inspired and learn our kitchen & business secrets. </div>
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<i>French Desserts</i></div>
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With detail, we will teach you precise techniques that we use in our two shops: chocolate making, tarts and fluted canneles that are made in copper molds. </div>
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<i>experience</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mediterranean Garden</td></tr>
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We'll introduce you to local villagers. You'll dine by candlelight in a gorgeous old Provencal home, as well as taste a classic french meal prepared by Grand-mere (Wlady's mom). We'll sight see and walk off every calorie.</div>
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For further information, contact wlady@chatelainechocolate.com or call our shop or click on link on our website. </div>
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Shannon Hughes Grochowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823956662174451986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-50962384630752255762016-08-23T15:59:00.000-06:002016-08-23T15:59:21.042-06:00Montana Mint Chocolate w/candied mintThose of us who live in the North know that summer is short-lived and before we know it we'll be stoking logs in our fireplaces and stoves. My backyard garden actually rests under two feet of snow for half the year.<br />
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So, when summer visits us here in Montana and mint has abundantly sprouted (like a weed) throughout my garden, I grasp it by the handfuls and take to work to use in and on our chocolates.<br />
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We candy some of the mint leaves and find that it pairs really well with dark chocolate, preferably Madagascar. We continue to make this chocolate during the winter (even though our garden has gone to bed) as it is so popular that time of the year. By freezing bundles of mint, we are able to avoid paying high prices for it at the grocery stores, too.<br />
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Here is a simple recipe for you to preserve a bit of summer.<br />
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<u>Candied Mint</u><br />
To candy mint, all you need is to boil sugar and water, four to one (four sugar to one water). Dip the cleaned fresh mint leaves into the boiled syrup and place on a sheet of parchment paper. Voila!<br />
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Shannon Hughes Grochowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823956662174451986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-37196577762525803952016-06-24T03:33:00.002-06:002016-06-24T04:22:07.087-06:00Mistral<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uN03Y9t9oA/V2wPr2R48CI/AAAAAAAAAhY/jMLMJO82j_AQp47iExtO8N46XglWpf7igCKgB/s1600/IMG_2666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uN03Y9t9oA/V2wPr2R48CI/AAAAAAAAAhY/jMLMJO82j_AQp47iExtO8N46XglWpf7igCKgB/s320/IMG_2666.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<u style="font-style: italic;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />La Cansound Dou </u>by Frédéric Mistral<br />
<i><br /></i><i>Lou païsan, ounte que siegue,</i><br />
<i>Es lou cepoun de la nacioun;</i><br />
<i>Auran beu faire d'envencoun,</i><br />
<i>Fau que la terro se boulegue;</i><br />
<i>Tant que i'ague de pan e de vin.</i><br />
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<i>The peasant, in any land is the backbone of the nation</i><br />
<i>We research in vain, we invent in vain,</i><br />
<i>The earth must be plowed;</i><br />
<i>And for as long as the world has not ended</i><br />
<i>There has to be bread and wine.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Immediately after moving to Provence, I began wondering who this <i>monsieur</i> named </span>Frédéric<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Mistral was. Repeatedly I saw bus stops, high schools, cafés, and parks that bore his name. Curious, I checked out a book from the local bibliothèque </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and realized that </span>Frédéric <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mistral is the soul of Provence! In 1914, he was born in the village of Maillane, France, which is located near La Durance, a river immortalized by the Roman Naturalist, Gaius Plinius Secundus. </span>Frédéric<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Mistral was not only a poet - he was a playwright and linguist and he received the Nobel Prize for Literature. I'm quite curious if the famous Mistral wind was named after him, too? After living here for a few months and visiting vineyards, olive groves, lavender fields, honey farms..., I began to feel such respect for the <i>Provençaux</i> whose hard work in this dry land is evident.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At any rate, What I love most about him and Provence is summed up in this poem. </span><br />
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<i><br /></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-69129457899354353382016-06-15T09:41:00.002-06:002016-06-15T09:41:32.064-06:00Greetings from France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Bonjour tout le monde</i>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(My daughter and mon mari persuaded me to begin blogging again, so here it goes! These posts will not go through tiers of editing; therefore I might have made some grammatical errors.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Living in this medieval village in the south of Fance has sparked so many new-found interests. It is because I've had precious time here: time to sleep, contemplate, create, pray, question, and wonder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's my first random observation from France re: collecting. I have written a series of these observation, which I will post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Antique French<i> torchons</i> (kitchen towels) have sparked my interest in collecting old stuff, while living in Villeneuve-l</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">è</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">s-Avignon. Each Saturday morning - gusty mistral or scorching heat - I pry myself out of bed for the local Brocante. A brocante is a french flea market, where professionals sell their collected wares, ranging from pewter to <i>pétanque </i>balls. I think it's the same as a flea market, but correct me if I'm wrong. I've honestly begun worrying that the brocante is a dying trade since there seems to be few traders under the age of 65. I also notice that many enjoy sipping zee Pastis whilst working, not that I blame them. I would need Pastis for people pilfering through my precious things or the unpredictable mistral wind* perforating fragile items, of which I've seen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These monogrammed </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">torchons </i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">are</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">nearly one</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">hundred years old and probably sat in someones cupboard for years, untouched. I like the fact that someone else owned them and I own a piece of french history. I already used them and sadly have a few stains, <i>c'est la vie</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*Mistral Wind is a turbulent wind that is triggered by specific conditions. It's funneled down the Rhone Valley corridor all the way to Marseilles. It is also the subject of another story I'll post later.</span><br />
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<br />Shannon Hughes Grochowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823956662174451986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-55840341163684194362014-04-02T14:11:00.003-06:002014-04-02T14:11:38.678-06:00French Gateway<br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Autumn
2014</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Please
join us in Paris for a French Getaway!</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Only
six available spaces</b></span></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Would
you like to learn to incorporate Parisian “</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">je
ne sais quoi</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">”
into your own life? And maybe you'd like blend in while in France,
rather than sticking out like many tourists</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> do. Traveling in Paris
w/out speaking the language can make for a difficult and frustrating
experience! So... spend a week with us learning to live </span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">à
la fran</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">ç</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">aise</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and you'll be sure to connect with France (and “zee” French</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
on a different level. You'll feel more Parisian than ever. </span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Oh
l</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">à</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
l</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">à</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">!!!</span></i></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What:
French Getaway</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When:
</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">October</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">12</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">-</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">18</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
2014</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Where:
Paris, France</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">How
many spaces: 6</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Cost:
$2,950 per person, based on double occupancy</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Includes:</b></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We'll
meet you at the airport and transport you to/from the hotel. You'll
avoid confusion & long lines for Taxis.</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Champagne
Welcoming Party at the hotel.</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">7
days/6 nights in an elegant Left Bank “h</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ô</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">tel
particulier” (Meaning that it's similar to a stately Parisian
Home/Chateau tucked away in the heart of the city.)</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">One
Afternoon tea-time in a French Salon de the (Tea Salon)</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">One
diner in romantic setting restaurant</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Patisserie-Chocolaterie
“Crawl”. We'll take you on an exciting tour of our favorite
spots </span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
we'll conclude with a tasting.</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">French
Etiquette lessons from native Parisians</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">French
Market Excursion</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Night
Cruise along the Seine (This is the best & most romantic way to
see the beautiful City of Lights)</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Inclusive
breakfasts each morning in the hotel</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Metro
Pass</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Arc
de Tri</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">o</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">mph</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">e</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
excursion (one of the largest monuments in Paris)</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Versailles
Countryside excursion (T</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">he
</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">apex
of French arts, architecture, and landscape architecture. Louis XIV
spared no expense in showing the world the magnificence of his
kingdom.)</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mus</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">é</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">e</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Rodin Excursion. Gorgeous museum dedicated to the works of French
sculptor Auguste Rodin</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong>
<br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Chef's/
Cooking Supplies Tour. We will bring you to the stores where
Parisian chefs buy their tools</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Wine
Tasting/ </span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
will taste wines from some main regions of France and discuss w/each
other in an intimate setting</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We'll
dine together (no-host) each evening in a variety of French
restaurant</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
</ul>
<br /><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>What
this Does Not Include:</b></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Airfare
to/from Paris</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Lodging
outside of the 6 nights in Paris</span></span></span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Meals
and alcoholic beverages not mentioned</span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Personal
expenses</span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Optional
activities: Monuments not specified, cooking classes, shopping.</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">..</span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Passport
fees</span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Travel
(or other) Insurance</span></span></span></span></strong><br />
</li>
</ul>
Shannon Hughes Grochowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823956662174451986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-20517250447312539082012-07-17T15:00:00.003-06:002012-07-17T15:03:11.489-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTw-amyY8R4/UAXQc0OgvdI/AAAAAAAAAG8/9CGu8K4dIPc/s1600/sunny.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTw-amyY8R4/UAXQc0OgvdI/AAAAAAAAAG8/9CGu8K4dIPc/s400/sunny.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTw-amyY8R4/UAXQc0OgvdI/AAAAAAAAAG8/9CGu8K4dIPc/s1600/sunny.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Phew! We’re back. Summer in France lies by “<em>très vite</em>” for our family, never failing to restore something within each of us. Whether it’s sticky, too-bright-sunny days spent in a small Côte d’Azur village, the jam-packed Paris Metro, or beaucoup kilometers in search of “just one more” pastry…</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wlady somehow manages to relax in the City. He thrives on honking horns, long lines, and rude shopkeepers. He also enjoys rediscovering his culinary faves that we American’s can’t ever seem to get right! The little boys’ French improves each summer, whizzing around <em>Rue</em>’s on their scooters, barking nonsense like: “<em>Regardez-moi Monsieur!” </em> Yet, they now prefer Cantal to Cheddar during cheese course. But hold the spicy <em>moutarde</em>, s’il vous plait! No wolfing down food at <em>Grand-Mère</em>’s table, either. Cultivation takes time. The oldest boy, now fluent with a handful of French ami’s of his own, has embraced his father’s homeland. He now eats French fries with a fork (he attempted using the fork for his hamburger, but his <em>Papa</em> quickly corrected him to his embarrassment)! As for me, I’m perfectly content being my American (yet Francophilish) self. I realize I’ll always laugh too much. I also hate scarves because they choke me. I tend to let loose in serious surroundings. And I suppose it will take me a mere 100 years to master the language.</span></div>Shannon Hughes Grochowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823956662174451986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-36673369689191659962012-02-20T11:33:00.000-07:002012-02-20T11:33:53.937-07:00Charlotte aux Fraises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKJ78h93YzA/T0KRNsX6uDI/AAAAAAAAAGI/np9HgrbhQjk/s1600/charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKJ78h93YzA/T0KRNsX6uDI/AAAAAAAAAGI/np9HgrbhQjk/s1600/charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKJ78h93YzA/T0KRNsX6uDI/AAAAAAAAAGI/np9HgrbhQjk/s1600/charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKJ78h93YzA/T0KRNsX6uDI/AAAAAAAAAGI/np9HgrbhQjk/s320/charlotte.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here’s a confection I’ve recently added to my pastry case in our shop. It’s called Strawberry Charlotte or <em>Charlotte aux Fraises</em>. I first set eyes on this dainty beauty years ago in a small patisserie in the <em>French campagne</em> (country side), while visiting my <em>Belle-mère & beau-père</em>’s country house. It was love at first sight. I liked the idea of using a simple ribbon to wrap around the feminine dessert. <em>Très French</em>! The Charlotte’s pink, feathery mousse filling reminded me of the local strawberries I had spied earlier at the <em>marché en plein air</em>. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
There are a few historical variations of the dessert’s origins, but I’d like to believe that French chef Marie-Antoine Carême (whose parents sadly abandoned him during the Revolutionary War) is the mastermind behind this creamy dessert. He was said to name it after his employer, Czar Alexander I.<br />
So, I eventually set out to master this dessert because I wanted to include it in my “Country Maison” dessert collection. I made the ladyfingers (from scratch) & they encircle the berry mousse. If you happen to be a “consistency person” like moi, the combination of ladyfinger, soaked with creamy mousse is unbelievable! It brings back memories of eating banana pudding as a kid down south.<br />
I hope that this dessert “makes the cut” in our shop, meaning it actually sells. It will always beckon me back to that sun-baked afternoon in the French countryside.<br />
<br />
</span></div>Shannon Hughes Grochowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823956662174451986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-3082777628621954312011-11-27T18:00:00.000-07:002011-11-27T18:00:59.526-07:00Imparfait<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unVaqBjDbRk/TtLc7fPlBfI/AAAAAAAAAFg/rYdEgMblZ-k/s1600/newshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unVaqBjDbRk/TtLc7fPlBfI/AAAAAAAAAFg/rYdEgMblZ-k/s400/newshop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Chatelaine's new Versailles-inspired look!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Apologies for my hiatus from postings. I had somehow gotten it into my head that my photos aren’t perfect enough for blog posts. After all, there are so many great blogs out there w/stunning food styling & near professional photos (that probably took hours, mind you),” so why would anyone want to look at my blog? </span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Carol B. Neiley from “Basic French (a lifestyle thing),” recently wrote on her blog: “ I have been feeling really exasperated and rebellious recently, as I tacitly though erratically follow blogs with tasteful feminine mood boards and perfectly art directed and lit photos of carefully culled objects.” She goes on to say: “I’m getting sick of everything so styled and unreal…Cooking is messy, life is messy…It’s all too Perfect Home Perfect Life for me.”</span></i></div><div class="p4" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i></i></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Owning and running a chocolate shop is messy and fast paced. I usually have chocolate or flour caked on my hands, timers erratically beeping from various stations, too many decisions to make, and critical minutes to emulsify ingredients – hardly ever the opportune moment to stage, style and perfect photos. So, bear with me as I “embrace my imperfection” and resume dispatching occasional information about my experience of owning a chocolaterie. </span></div>Shannon Hughes Grochowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823956662174451986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-34278160215072368462011-08-23T14:22:00.008-06:002011-08-23T21:26:40.593-06:00La fin d'été<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xewvfCLC4Mw/TlQGO76AY6I/AAAAAAAAACQ/FgYtlWVoKZg/s1600/Rpike+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xewvfCLC4Mw/TlQGO76AY6I/AAAAAAAAACQ/FgYtlWVoKZg/s320/Rpike+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKV1bNDevS4/TlQGQaK9LCI/AAAAAAAAACY/beMdaFZ1vao/s1600/WS1r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKV1bNDevS4/TlQGQaK9LCI/AAAAAAAAACY/beMdaFZ1vao/s320/WS1r.jpg" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xewvfCLC4Mw/TlQGO76AY6I/AAAAAAAAACQ/FgYtlWVoKZg/s1600/Rpike+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">We draw end to our summer with our lively kids on a quick adventure in Seattle.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Our four days in Seattle began with a ferry trip to our rented home away from home on Bainbridge Island. We picked plump </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">mûres<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> (</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">blackberries) there and the kids paddled canoe trips along the cove to spot otters, hawks, and eagles. Our enjoyable moments included watching late night movies and walking the hilly path to the ferry each morning.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Nous adorons: Le Panier is our favorite café for <i>croissants </i>and <i>pains au chocolat</i>. Café Ladro’s baristas make the best cappucinos – forget Starbucks. Pike’s Market for <i>fruit</i>, seafood, <i>petit </i>doughnuts, and flowers.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">One morning, I took my <i>Belle-</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>mère</i>'s advice and visited the legendary Café Pouchkine for a rich <i>chocolat chaud</i> (</span><span class="Apple-style-span">hot chocolate). After all, I am trying very hard to establish my <i>petite</i> chocolate Café in my rugged Montana town. I figured I could gather some great ideas, <i>non</i>? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span">And just like my favorite child author, Kay Thompson writes in Eloise in Paris, “Here’s the thing of it:” Paris gets the hot chocolate ceremony. The marble bar is maybe ten feet long (no longer than my cocoa bar), with several plush barstools to sit so elegantly upright. Hot chocolate, or chocolat chaud, is served in an antique silver <i>chocolati</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; line-height: 16px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span">è</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>re</i> with a <i>moulinet</i> (chocolate pot). The hot chocolate is twice as thick as mine, so maybe mine isn’t too rich, after all. Perhaps La Châtelaine’s cocoa bar is not so far from this goal.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://departmentstoreparis.printemps.com/restaurants/en/pages/index.aspx">Le Café Pouchkine à Paris</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gerard is no ordinary pastry chef. First of all, France recently awarded him the title of <i>Meilleur Ouvrier de France</i>, a highly prestigious award bestowed to only a select few craftsman. He went through grueling examinations and competitions to achieve this award. Most importantly, it took years of intensive training! He is among the lucky few to have the right to wear a blue, white, and red ribbon around their collar. With these credentials, you think Gerard might have shown a trace of snobbery. Mais non! Gerard not only taught me loads of additional kitchen skills and techniques, he taught me to trust my sense of taste, harmonize my body in the kitchen, and be passionate each ingredient.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">* Gerard never pointed out this superior culinary honor to me. I wouldn’t have known it unless my French husband observed his distinct collar while picking me up from class.</span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-32631894469962763552011-06-23T11:23:00.002-06:002011-08-23T15:00:57.387-06:00Mysterious Cathar Country<div style="text-align: justify;"><style>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Several days ago we desperately departed Paris for a few days to explore other areas of France with our boys. I’m afraid that Montana has spoiled us with its wide-open spaces and its big sky, because noisy/hectic city life can exhaust you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">We headed for the unspoiled Tarn region. I’m possessed with love for the breathtakingly beautiful fortified Bastide towns of Cathar country in the Southwest of France. My DK guide book, balanced atop of my knees in Grand-mère's voiture says that the “Cathars were a secretive humanist sect supported by the Counts of Toulouse in the 12th and 13th centuries... and that this was the darkest periods in French history”. After a couple of days, edging our way through narrow winding streets, and trying to grasp the enormous history, I didn’t want to leave this place. In fact, while leaving the area, we stumbled upon an abandoned Bastide perched on a hillside with amazing views. If only I were Frances Mayes! Shhhhhh. I kept a weathered tile from it, so that I can find my way back here some day.</span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-39539214693020528252011-06-13T03:44:00.001-06:002011-08-23T15:03:16.397-06:00Summer in Paris - Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXJoT_oIySc/TlQVh4nShMI/AAAAAAAAAC4/opVjE8U-9BA/s1600/JEeiffel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXJoT_oIySc/TlQVh4nShMI/AAAAAAAAAC4/opVjE8U-9BA/s320/JEeiffel.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ten days ago, we said “<i>au revoir</i>” to our <i>chocolaterie</i> & hastily packed our bags, kids and flew to Paris. A tradition we decided to initiate four years ago as a blended family, we return here to The City of Light (<i>La Ville-Lumière</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">) to spend some uninterrupted time together and give the kids a sense of Europe, while attempting to bond. Things have not been “<i>a piece of gâteau</i>” so far. My husband’s <i>Papa</i> is very sick and nearly died in the <i>hôpital</i>. My boy, Ethan, caught a virus (no doubt on the Metro) and vomited all over <i>Grand-m</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>è</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>re’s</i> luxurious wool carpet! And lastly, I developed an irksome head cold (ditto the Metro).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Mon dieu!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Challenges aside, we’ve been able to roam the Gardens of Versailles, saturate our senses in the Louvre, and nibble our fair share of buttery pastries (my Grishko ballet shoes are now thread bound from grueling late nights of work out).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Attempts to improve my French seem frivolous after working so hard all year running a biz and being a mother. Fluency will come someday, I suppose. For now, I delight in the little boys’ French acquisition! This year, they order for themselves and mannerly “<i>bonjour, merci, & pardon</i>” all of the busy shopkeepers. In fact, they’ve warmed the hearts of numerous Parisians – putting all rumors to rest the Parisians are rude.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A few more weeks to go here… Stay curious!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*You can now view this Blog on your mobile phone:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://chatelainechocolate.blogspot.com/?m=1">http://chatelainechocolate.blogspot.com/?m=1</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</style> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfbmo5jEK28/TlQX7Oy7A7I/AAAAAAAAADE/76ZWAm0ofnM/s1600/pastel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfbmo5jEK28/TlQX7Oy7A7I/AAAAAAAAADE/76ZWAm0ofnM/s320/pastel.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our books show that sales this Easter holiday improved by a good margin compared to last year (Oui! Oui!), although the shop did not necessarily feel busier to me. Mmmmmm…. Could that be because I am usually armed with a whisk safely in my cozy kitchen? Truly, I owe it to an organized retail & kitchen staff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">The days leading up to Easter were all so dissimilar (sales wise) to each another. I blame Mother Nature for this because her influence on shopping psychology never ceases to amaze me, either! Dumping snow = poor sales day. Sunny/ partial snow fall, but cold = great sales day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our kitchen staff produced innumerable (hundreds) chocolate bunnies, hens, eggs, and fish and they became quite skilled at hand painting the molds. The retail ladies cleverly packaged them in clear bags; hand tied with pastel ribbons, and stylishly aligned our shelves with them. Luckily our shop’s slate tiles, along with the towering Ponderosa Pines outside keep our shop quite cool preventing bunny melting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">My employees will confirm that apprehension creeped into my brain with the sudden fear we had overproduced and (due to the economy) customers would chose quantity over quality (think gigantic Walmart Easter baskets filled with junky chocolate and disposable toys). I fretted circles around our shop many times, scrunching my sweaty hands with anxiety. I do this when I’m on edge. This is part of being a biz owner, people. However; worry was an ultimate waste of my time. In the “eleventh-hour”, like every holiday Wlady produced around the clock to rush freshly set chocolate bunnies from kitchen to retail area to our patient customers. Thankfully we live in a community that supports and appreciates good chocolate. I feel a glowing gratitude in my heart for you and thank you for allowing our creativity to thrive!</span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-52214371809077065162011-03-30T15:53:00.001-06:002011-08-23T15:15:40.467-06:00Vive le Printemps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCXtQv4P-Mg/TlQYba_L_BI/AAAAAAAAADI/PugpP64AeCY/s1600/DSC_4476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCXtQv4P-Mg/TlQYba_L_BI/AAAAAAAAADI/PugpP64AeCY/s320/DSC_4476.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The shop is doing well after returning from the Trade Show.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">It is still so cold here in the Rockies, that hot chocolate sales are quite high (although I’d like them to be better).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div style="text-align: justify;">We’re now gearing up for Easter and Spring. I intend on adding colorful touches of spring to our two <i>chocolateries </i>after such a long, gray winter. I for one am ravenous for color and for fresh tastes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i>Dans</i> la cuisine (kitchen), we’re tempering</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i>beaucoup de</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">bittersweet, milk and white chocolate to fill bunnies, hens, and hare molds. So far, I estimate that we’ve made 125. Many more to go. Because I am forever in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i>Alice in Wonderland</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">imagination, I will be carrying whimsical chocolate mushrooms, too. Last year, I assembled francophone Easter baskets, filled with vintage books, chocolates, and goodies. I’d like to continue that plan.</span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div style="text-align: justify;">And do let me know if there any Easter/Spring desserts or confections you’d like. I’m always up for sweet ideas.</div></span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-69273047289647137692011-03-25T14:37:00.001-06:002011-08-23T15:19:55.445-06:00Made in Montana Market Place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16rWXP9mWO8/TlQZdGefruI/AAAAAAAAADM/2qeeNIWBoMA/s1600/mim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16rWXP9mWO8/TlQZdGefruI/AAAAAAAAADM/2qeeNIWBoMA/s320/mim.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wlady and I are participating in the "Made in Montana Market Place" in Great Falls this weekend. We are committed in helping our local & state's economy and really want to extend our products to buyers outside of our shop. You know...to grow La Châtelaine, we must continually enhance our products.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The feedback from the public has been positive so far (one more day to go). We won an award: Honorable Place for best booth! And to think I worried that my booth wasn't professional enough. That'll teach me to follow my instinct. It was important for me to design a booth that sincerely reflected our personalities - not a big box store. We wanted our booth to look charming, incorporating some of my vintage cake stands and tin trays.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There is one big hypocrisy I continually battle with while trying to launch my products outside of our shop. Wholesalers still remain hesitant about shelf-life. Because we never add additives and preservatives (ARTISAN chocolates should NEVER contain them), the shelf life is one month. "But you can buy truffles at World Market with a one year shelf life", for instance. Uuugghhhhhhh!!!!! In due time, I suppose it boils down to customer awareness which will eventually reflect Wholesaler's purchases. I'm positive about this.</span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-86625093120272925292011-03-23T11:32:00.001-06:002011-08-24T17:38:52.868-06:00En Famille/My Lovely Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XccaZepirU/TlWLf8C7agI/AAAAAAAAADU/6-zozvtqhoE/s1600/DSC_4382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XccaZepirU/TlWLf8C7agI/AAAAAAAAADU/6-zozvtqhoE/s320/DSC_4382.jpg" width="212" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We departed for the South last week with my children to spend time with loved ones. My quirky and always vivacious family took us into their homes and made my monsieur and western kids feel at home.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div style="text-align: justify;">My beautiful nieces, brothers, caring sister and matriarchal mother are so important to me. The older I become, I realize that family is everything.</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is a photo of my mom’s dessert birthday party, where we baked a mousse cake, brownies and <i>petits fours</i>. She has a sweet tooth but she doesn’t bake much, so she appreciates our efforts. It makes me so happy to see how our baked goods put a smile on her face!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhJKanPXsbA/TlWL-82wu9I/AAAAAAAAADY/gp8NhEUVi-4/s1600/poodle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhJKanPXsbA/TlWL-82wu9I/AAAAAAAAADY/gp8NhEUVi-4/s320/poodle.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In addition to our handmade chocolates, we have recently added an element of pastry artistry (<i>pâtisserie</i>) to our shop. From the very beginning, Wlady and I have worshipped the pastry arts: rustic tarts, both glorious & simple cakes, cookies/sablés and other desserts. After all, we are passionate about ALL of the Culinary Arts! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Months of crossing my fingers and whispering a few prayers, I finally found a pastry case from a local coffee shop that kindly sold it to us for a very fair price (Leaf & Bean). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The challenge: pastries, cookies and cakes are trickier to sell than chocolates, whose shelf life is longer. And “<i>je deteste</i>” throwing away a once flaky <i>pâte brisée</i>. I suppose we’ll need to let more people know that we are capable of creating a variety of sweet treats.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One thing is for certain. We want to surprise customers with all of our smart little confections that orderly line the cases – whether dainty chocolates or buttery tartelettes – they’re our art and our culture. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVw2BpOkiAQ/TlWMuaVIUXI/AAAAAAAAADc/7IAXDq1ORVg/s1600/valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVw2BpOkiAQ/TlWMuaVIUXI/AAAAAAAAADc/7IAXDq1ORVg/s320/valentine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">photo by Merissa Lambert</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Si vous m'accompagnez, nous verrons, sentirons, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">goûterons, caresserons et peut-être..."</span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you will come along with me, we shall see, smell, taste, touch and perhaps...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Henri Delbard, extract from "Diary of a Rose Lover"</span><br />
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</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-58722037821050462912011-01-31T14:32:00.001-07:002011-08-24T17:47:08.133-06:00Nearing February<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">As February’s romantic Valentine’s Day approaches, I am currently fretting over scores of details around La Châtelaine. After all, it is the most significant sales day for a chocolate shop owner.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Here is our latest ad in our local newspaper. I hope it speaks to your inner-romantic!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5c_IzT9Komk/TlWNb3XqVgI/AAAAAAAAADg/2G8hXX9T9Ls/s1600/balance+valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5c_IzT9Komk/TlWNb3XqVgI/AAAAAAAAADg/2G8hXX9T9Ls/s640/balance+valentine.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-73051721628401909392010-12-27T12:25:00.008-07:002011-08-24T17:59:32.791-06:00Notre Chocolat Chaud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8krXzbdhN4/TlWQFWL2KWI/AAAAAAAAADo/jGQ_xrVNORk/s1600/t%2526l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8krXzbdhN4/TlWQFWL2KWI/AAAAAAAAADo/jGQ_xrVNORk/s1600/t%2526l.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i>Ahem...Ahem</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">... I have some </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i>très </i>exciting<i> </i>news to share with you! Recently Travel & Leisure magazine selected our chocolaterie as one of America’s 13th best hot chocolates. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">In addition to hard work & determination & great help, I believe that Travel & Leisure’s recognition has given me… well… a little more confidence in my dreams. It’s not always easy to be an INFP personality (a.k.a. “dreamer” - Carl Jung). </span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xh3s1n6Kci4/TlWQExN0QNI/AAAAAAAAADk/Tdp4EavTbKA/s1600/charpentier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xh3s1n6Kci4/TlWQExN0QNI/AAAAAAAAADk/Tdp4EavTbKA/s200/charpentier.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">But the idea of a cocoa bar started with a simple dream years ago after admiring Jean-Baptiste Charpentier’s <i style="border-collapse: collapse;">La Tasse de Chocolat</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">. I hope to be able to embark on & contribute to this fascinating world of chocolate for many years to come.</span></span></span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-40462055277518648192010-12-15T12:41:00.001-07:002011-08-24T18:03:45.283-06:00C'est Business, C'est Passion<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOyygqHRXIg/TlWRWUYR-WI/AAAAAAAAADs/LBLLZrQS33Y/s1600/IMG00006-20101214-1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOyygqHRXIg/TlWRWUYR-WI/AAAAAAAAADs/LBLLZrQS33Y/s320/IMG00006-20101214-1028.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Years ago, my Father-in-law (a.k.a. <i>Beau-père</i> in Paris) offered me some straightforward business advice. Jean-Pierre said: “when confronted with competition or copycats, just remember to put your blinders on. Keep creating, work hard and remain original.”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Add to this Margaret Oliphant’s (19th Century Scottish novelist) quote: “Oh, never mind the fashion. When one has a style of one’s own, it is ALWAYS twenty times better.” (Hence: originality)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As a chocolate shop entrepreneur who daily strives toward the recipe for success, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of staying focused, remaining true to your ideals:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I believe in creating confections that appeal to grown-up palate. We want to encourage people to develop their taste palates. Avoid the temptation of over flavoring. It destroys the sense of taste, which leads to overeating.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I believe our confections should be decadent and lovely. I believe we should try to hold to “artisan” ideals. These days, the word “artisan” has become meaningless. Businessman-turned-chefs who hiss and hymn utilitarian formulas like “Revenues - Expenses = Net Income”. These ventures often lack real imagination and seem deceptive.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lastly and mostly, I believe our confections should create an instantaneous sense of happiness. Remember how you felt as a kid when you visited a candy shop? <i>Mais, oui</i>!</span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264578538247672836.post-83150133596185611272010-11-24T12:46:00.001-07:002011-08-24T18:05:10.662-06:00Cocoa Unites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18IWOCM5p9M/TlWRoD2bQVI/AAAAAAAAADw/87qNe1nVB3Q/s1600/raegan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18IWOCM5p9M/TlWRoD2bQVI/AAAAAAAAADw/87qNe1nVB3Q/s320/raegan.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My teenage daughter, R. Alexandria, isn’t like me one bit nowadays. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When she was a little girl, we both devoured books like Beatrix Potter, Angelina, Eloise, or The Secret Garden during our ritual afternoon teatime. Our commonality seemed a given. People would often remark: “The apple didn’t fall far from that tree”.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now, she’s a fearless slalom racer unlike me who death grips ski lifts. I’m prissy and she’s granola girl. She’s a natural academic, whereas I spilled tears for every “A”. The girl can navigate the Paris Metro with poise, but my adult self still has a fear of getting lost. She’s tough and I’m a pushover. We couldn’t be more unalike. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yet, whilst in France last summer, we had the opportunity to spend an afternoon at the elegant Ladurée, my favorite tea/hot chocolate/pastry salon. We drank thick hot chocolate served with billowy whipped cream and ordered pastries piled high with colorful pastry cream. We both admired this beauty, which is intended to stimulate and delight all the senses. As her eyes widened with each sip, I knew that she and I are still alike in many ways. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*The idea of afternoon hot chocolate ceremony at Ladurée is what inspired the debut of our “Cocoa Café” in our little chocolaterie here in Bozeman. It is catching on slowly, but I believe that local chocolate lovers will realize this soignée custom is good for the soul. </span></div><div><br />
</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0