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Intrigue Chocolates Co. Blog – coverage of news, events and chocolate histories.

Posts Tagged Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon

Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon, 2010

Jul 17

Posted by Kate in , Events | No Comments

This was our third time (3rd annual, too) at the Seattle Chocolate Salon and we enjoy it more every year! In some ways we were better prepared, therefore better able to lead participants through an enjoyable experience of the chocolate-hazed day. (See Karl’s awesome “how-to” survival tips for the event). Then again, the salon threw us for a new loop, and that was a fun challenge, too.

At the last minute we were approached with the opportunity to make a presentation (the sudden opening was NOT due to “death by chocolate”, that is a different event!). We accepted the challenge and teamed up with Quady Wineries to make an Intrigue truffle – wine pairings presentation that went wonderfully.
(Thanks to Brian from Quady and Diane, our guest presenter. She did a great job introducing the winery and describing the wines for our audience.)

Aaron walked everyone through what he thought were the best matches for the day. (How do you decide what pairings to make?, he was asked the other day. “The hard part is, ya’ gotta’ drink the wine.”, was his sage reply….) Here’s what he came up with;
Mojito and White Electra (slightly effervescent, made from an orange muscat grape)
Balsamic Strawberry-Red Electra (black muscat grape, a red wine)
Lavender Lemonade-White Essensia (White Electra that is fortified and non-fizzy)
St. Basil-Elysium (Red Electra that is fortified and non-fizzy)
Jamaican HOT Chocolate-Starboard (can’t call it Port, ‘cuz it’s not from Portugal! Does that qualify as a punny?)

Much more about the event soon…and keep fingers crossed for the awards announcement!

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Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon 2010 – Survival Guide

Jun 30

Posted by Karl in Events | 2 Comments

At Intrigue Chocolates Co. we believe in getting the most out of every experience.  This will be our 3rd year at the Chocolate Luxury Salon.  We wanted to pass along our tried and true tips to making the Salon a fantastically delicious experience!

Before you get there:

  • Eat a healthy, light meal.  You’ll thank me later!
  • As with all tastings, please avoid wearing cologne/perfume; they interfere with the tasting experience.  (“Why does this one taste like Old Spice?”  “It reminds me of Chanel No. 5.”)
  • Wear comfy shoes and dress in layers.
  • Plan your day.  We suggest getting there early, plan a lunch break, get some air, stretch your legs, and then return to taste the rest of the chocolates.

What to Bring:

  • A water bottle.  Perhaps some milk for the little ones.  Skip the soda and other sweet drinks.  Again, you’ll thank me later!
  • Crackers or a protein bar.  This helps to balance your energy and clear your palate.
  • A comfortable bag.  This is great for toting goodies and information home.
  • Camera, notebook, pen, and lots of questions.
  • Cash, checks, or credit cards!  Your ticket fees don’t go to the chocolatiers.  In fact, we have to pay to be there, too.  Reward the companies you like the most by proving how much you like their work.  It may be hard to imagine eating more chocolate after working your way around the room, but—trust me—tomorrow is a new day.  [grin]

When you arrive:

  • Get a voting card to keep track of the chocolates you like best.
  • Take a walk around the room to survey the tables first.
  • Tasting wine?  Scope out which chocolatiers can pair their chocolates with your glass.
  • Try to taste everything.  Ask for smaller samples or bring a friend to share, so you can be sure enjoy the large variety.  The chocolatiers want you to sample every flavor!  How else will you know which one is your favorite?  And it may not be the one you expect.
  • Patience and moderation.  We want to take time to talk to each of you, and we need to make sure there are enough samples to go around.  You won’t get to hear (or taste) what’s special and unique about each confection if you just take a piece and run!

Before leaving:

  • Cast your vote for your favorites at the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon.
  • Share your feedback with the organizers.  What did you love?  What would you change?
  • TWEET!  TWEET!
  • Facebook
  • Yelp!

HOT TIP: Bring a small plastic container.  Some chocolatiers have samples left at the end of the show.  If you ask nicely, they might let you take some home to share with your friends.

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Bloggers Loved the Seattle Chocolate Salon 2009

Sep 25

Posted by Karl in | No Comments

If you couldn’t get to this year’s Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon, reading posts by some of the lucky ones who did make it might be the next best thing.  By reading their blogs you’ll get lots of valuable personal insight with their review opinions, and none of the calories!

These taste testers give their evaluations of Intrigue Chocolates and many other samplings. Check out their links to get a feel for the event and catch their personal take on Intrigue’s presentation. Among those moved to blog about their immersion into the world of chocolate are:

You  will find lots of cool photos showcasing beautiful chocolates of every stripe, and get a general sense of what it was like to be there.  Someone was even inspired to record a twitvid if you want a quick glance of Intrigue in action.

Find out who received awards across all categories at the Seattle Chocolate Salon website, or view a summarized list of the blue ribbon winners at blogcritics.org.

There were lots of awesome chocolatiers at the Salon (and a crowd of passionate chocolate consumers).  We were in great company and are proud to be in the rankings among such talent.  The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon should definitely be on your calendar for next year!

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Intrigue Luxuriates at the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon 2009

Sep 23

Posted by Karl in Events, News | No Comments

Playing off of the triple meaning of the word “salon”, the organizers of this 2nd annual event set us up for a fashionable gathering of industry leaders, with a nod toward the arts, as well.  Chocolate as art and art inspired by chocolate.  It does seem to work, doesn’t it?  And of course, the enlightened realize all the wonders that chocolate has to offer!  The Chocolate Salon is a chance for the public to find many purveyors of fine chocolate all under one roof.  For the price of a ticket, the assembled get to taste the wares of the chocolatiers present and get tons of information about how the vendors craft their goods.  Along with the chocolate tastings came chef demonstrations and author presentations.

The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon 2009 saw a big jump in the number of chocolate companies represented, no doubt due to the fabulous success of last year’s event.  With over 30 notable chocolate makers in attendance, Intrigue was thrilled to walk away with some very fine awards, as follows;

  • 2nd Place: “Most Luxurious Chocolate Experience”
  • 2nd Place: “Best Flavored Chocolate”
  • Honorable Mentions: “Best Truffle” and “Most Gifted Chocolatier/Chocolate Maker”

(To see all of the judges’ picks visit (www.seattlechocolatesalon.com)

Seattle’s 2008 Chocolate Salon was extra warm with the Bell Harbor Conference Center’s air conditioning on the blink, but everyone managed to keep their cool and enjoy themselves.  Last year Intrigue Chocolates came in 1st with “Best Flavored Chocolate”, 2nd with “Best Truffle”, and brought home Honorable Mentions for”Best Chocolatier” and “Best Chocolate for Wine”.  With the field of competitors growing this year, the innovation bar seemed to be raised high.  You may have found a few standards, but there were many flavors that were at the extreme cutting edge of creative!

Intrigue’s table had a great support team with several friends volunteering to help out.  A big Thank You! to all of you who gave us lunch breaks, took pictures and did your own taste comparisons!  Hope to see everyone there next year!

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