This post and the next post will cover what transpired over the four days that we were in Bellevue, Washington for the Chocolate Makers UnConference and Festival. This was the place where I met Anne (read more about that in one of my other posts) and Snooky, among many others. As per usual, we flew in Wednesday night, October 3. The first night was just unpacking, getting our stuff together, and just general prep for the next three days. Just like before, there were going to be three days that we would attend. The first two would be seminars, and the third was reserved for the retail show. We actually ended up seeing some of the festival on the second day of seminars, but more on that in the next post.
The first day begun with a Women in Chocolate session, where I found an answer to one of my most pressing issues. Time has always been a problem for me, as I only have one melter. I got a recommendation that I should use my microwave as a second source of melting/heat. The idea worked when I tested it back home after this whole thing was over, so now I can make two batches at once.
The next session after lunch, Cacao Sourcing for Craft Chocolate, was very interesting, covering multiple topics such as rising and falling prices, the distribution challenges caused by a lack of infrastructure, and many other things. The speakers came from all over the world, from the Philippines to Costa Rica to the Ivory Coast. This was a type of seminar where anyone who attended could add to the discussion, as was the case with many of the seminars on the UnConference's schedule. Of course, there was a moderator, but they spoke as much as anyone else. The attendees also came from a wide variety of businesses, from distributors to farmers to chocolatiers. All in all, a fascinating discussion that provided a deeper understanding of the complexities of the cacao supply chain for everyone in the room.
The next session on our list was going to be a Sensory Analysis for Chocolate, but they had no chocolate, as it didn't arrive on time. So, we decided to head back to the hotel and chill there. And so, the first day of the Northwest Chocolate Makers UnConference and Festival came to an end.
As we arrived at the hotel, we saw the sign for the Northwest Chocolate Makers UnConference and Festival in the hotel lobby. The gold things are pieces of chocolate.
I am now in the Meydenbauer Center where the UnConference was being held. With my trusty backpack and journal, every bit of knowledge will be soaked up and well-used.
This is one of three signs that display the chocolate process for bean to bar. This one specifically focuses on tempering, packaging, and the steps from bean to cocoa liquor.
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