RobertM

Yes, I'm coming, booked the room and transportation Chris Hennes (+1) Kerry Beal Chocolot curls (+1 for Saturday Dinner) gfron1 lironp lebowits (+1 for Saturday Dinner) patti_h (+1) chocoera (+1) Mette Tikidoc (+1) Sue Casey LindaS Viktoria Sarahdwyer Prabha Fran Kathy Sandy Susanmc Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Viktoria Pretty Definite Attendees Robdoc000 Maybe Lisa Shock prasantrin MelissaH Lior - pending Lottery ticket(s) AnythingButPlainChocolate Genkinaonna MarkIsComing Can't Make it mjx +1 mkayahara YetiChocolates Ruth Wells Kevin Liu nolnacs MariaP DianaM Gene Carsondial (+1)

mmmm, methinks there is a Bosch mixer in my future....and a Thermomix.....and.....

Yes, I'm coming, booked the room and transportation Chris Hennes (+1) Kerry Beal Chocolot curls (+1 for Saturday Dinner) gfron1 lironp lebowits (+1 for Saturday Dinner) patti_h (+1) chocoera (+1) Mette Tikidoc (+1) Sue Casey LindaS Viktoria Sarahdwyer Prabha Carsondial (+1) Fran Kathy Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Viktoria Pretty Definite Attendees Robdoc000 Maybe Lisa Shock prasantrin MelissaH Lior - pending Lottery ticket(s) AnythingButPlainChocolate Genkinaonna MarkIsComing Can't Make it mjx +1 mkayahara YetiChocolates Ruth Wells Kevin Liu nolnacs MariaP DianaM Gene

Viktoria Welcome to Friday - hopefully we'll have something fun and exciting. No need for any supplies for Friday - except maybe that wine I mentioned earlier....(do I sound like a lush?)

Correcting an oversight on my part Yes, I'm coming, booked the room and transportation Chris Hennes (+1) Kerry Beal Chocolot curls (+1 for Saturday Dinner) gfron1 lironp lebowits (+1 for Saturday Dinner) patti_h (+1) chocoera (+1) Mette Tikidoc (+1) Sue Casey LindaS Viktoria Sarahdwyer Prabha Carsondial (+1) Fran Kathy Carsondial (+1) Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Viktoria Pretty Definite Attendees Robdoc000 Maybe Lisa Shock prasantrin MelissaH Lior - pending Lottery ticket(s) AnythingButPlainChocolate Genkinaonna MarkIsComing Can't Make it mjx +1 mkayahara YetiChocolates Ruth Wells Kevin Liu nolnacs MariaP DianaM Gene

Agreed Gene, sorry to hear you won't be with us this year. Yes, I'm coming, booked the room and transportation Chris Hennes (+1) Kerry Beal Chocolot curls (+1 for Saturday Dinner) gfron1 lironp lebowits (+1 for Saturday Dinner) patti_h (+1) chocoera (+1) Mette Tikidoc (+1) Sue Casey LindaS Viktoria Sarahdwyer Prabha Carsondial (+1) Fran Carsondial (+1) Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Pretty Definite Attendees Robdoc000 Maybe Lisa Shock prasantrin MelissaH Lior - pending Lottery ticket(s) AnythingButPlainChocolate Genkinaonna MarkIsComing Can't Make it mjx +1 mkayahara YetiChocolates Ruth Wells Kevin Liu nolnacs MariaP DianaM Gene

hopefully people will bring some vino to Friday night too - it is BYOB after all...

Steve - I'd be happy to bring some and welcome anyone else that would like to contribute PM me as to what you would like to have on hand -

Susan: Yes, I have some for use and you will be learning how to make your own as well....

Yes, I'm coming, booked the room and transportation Chris Hennes (+1) Kerry Beal Chocolot curls (+1 for Saturday Dinner) gfron1 Gene lironp lebowits (+1 for Saturday Dinner) patti_h (+1) chocoera (+1) Mette Tikidoc (+1) Sue Casey LindaS Viktoria Sarahdwyer Prabha Carsondial (+1) Fran Susanmc (+1 for Saturday Dinner) Sandy Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Pretty Definite Attendees Robdoc000 Maybe Lisa Shock prasantrin MelissaH Lior - pending Lottery ticket(s) AnythingButPlainChocolate Genkinaonna MarkIsComing Can't Make it mjx +1 mkayahara YetiChocolates Ruth Wells Kevin Liu nolnacs MariaP DianaM

Susan - of course it's not to late. Welcome to your friend Sandy. Are you and Sandy going to plan on joining us Friday afternoon? And welcome to your Plus One for dinner Saturday night Bob

As an update to the schedule - The "Chocolate Centerpiece Demo" is being designed as a Hands On group activity - it's not just a "lecture" for example, getting a demo of flower making and then have you make your own beautiful chocolate flowers -

I think everyone is going to be in for a treat with Joe Sofia from Cargill. I just heard what he will be showing us next weekend and it's going to be amazing. With that in mind, here is the TENTATIVE schedule that I'm working on in my head Given that schedules never seem to flow the way they are planned, I would like to keep the weekend fluid, allowing for longer or alternative subjects. I shall also say that we'll have at least one airbrush set up for mold decorating, we have a plethora of flavors to use, and as typical, there are several different "things" going on at once during the weekend (with the exception of when Joe is with us). Friday, March 16 Afternoon still to be determined Friday evening - for those wishing to go to the East Moon Asian Bistro 7:00 - ? Meet and Greet, Chocolate sharing, Lobby of the Springhill Suites Saturday, March 17 8:30 - ~12:00: Joe Sofia/Cargill LUNCH 12:30 - 5:00: Hands on/Break out sessions to include Basic Tempering (if needed) Chocolate Centerpiece Demo (with the above in mind, we can still make some other pieces in conjunction with the hands on portion, for example, we could make some caramel (I'll have my now eGullet famous caramel "pot"; we could make some marshmallow; and I'll bring my copper kettle to make some toffee (if anyone wants) Saturday evening Group Conference dinner, hosted by Stratford University Sunday 8:30 - Joe Sofia (cutting/dipping a slabbed confection) Lunch More hands on work to include finishing Saturdays work, Pate de fruit use of a Thermomix 3:00 - clean up, adjourn, Thoughts? Input? This is YOUR conference, please don't be shy. Bob

Why dont wevshhot for 7:00 for our Friday get together? One thing everyone from out of town should beware!!!!! Friday night rush hour in this area is horrible and there is no real ability to predict said traffic; so if we all know that ahead of time we can adjust accordingly. Does anyone have an aversion of getting started early on Saturday morning? Say about 8:30?

There is a local restaurant named East Moon Asian Bistro that has been recommended to me for a Friday night dinner before our Meet & Greet - anyone interested? It's about 2 miles from the hotel

Mette; we should have sufficient equipment for you to use, not to worry; just come and enjoy

Goats Milk Caramels - ????

Yes, having a business like that is a great way to learn about managing money - but, have you given any thought to the heat in Richmond? If memory serves me, chocolate tends to melt at warmer temperatures....that may not be very conducive to selling....

Yes, I'm coming, booked the room and transportation Chris Hennes (+1) Kerry Beal Chocolot curls (+1 for Saturday Dinner) gfron1 Gene lironp lebowits (+1 for Saturday Dinner) patti_h (+1) chocoera (+1) Mette Tikidoc (+1) Sue Casey LindaS Viktoria Sarahdwyer Prabha (+ 1 for Saturday Dinner) Carsondial (+1) Fran Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Prabha Pretty Definite Attendees Robdoc000 Maybe Lisa Shock prasantrin MelissaH Lior - pending Lottery ticket(s) AnythingButPlainChocolate Genkinaonna MarkIsComing Can't Make it mjx +1 mkayahara YetiChocolates Ruth Wells Kevin Liu nolnacs MariaP DianaM

I just drove down to the area. Here are directions to Springhill Suites heading SOUTH on I-95 Take 95 South to exit 158B Prince William Parkway; Manassas Virginia (don't forget, this is Virginia, 158B is before the 158A exit). As you're driving down 95 South, you'll see signs notifying you that Stratford University is at Exit 158B. Exit 158B will put you onto the Prince William Parkway. Once you get off 95S, start to head into the far left lane. At the second traffic light, turn Left onto Crossing Place. This is where (in my mind) it get's "odd" because it will look like you're heading into a parking lot for a strip mall (Michaels; Office Depot; Bed, Bath & Beyond; and Babies R Us). When you are on Crossing Place, go to the Stop Sign and Turn Left. (You can only turn left or right, there is a huge wall in front of you) Just stay on that "road" that you just turned onto. You'll cross over a Speed Hump, you will pass a Courtyard by Marriott on your left (the aforementioned Mall will be on your right) and the SpringHill Suites by Marriott will be directly in front of you, through a gate. Directions from SpringHill Suites to Stratford University Exit the hotel (strip mall) via the same road you came in on. There is a traffic light on Crossing Place and Prince William Parkway. Turn Left at that light (this puts you ON Prince William Parkway). At the NEXT Light (Telegraph Road) Turn Left (There is a left hand Turn Lane). Proceed 1 mile to Stratford University on your right. Park anywhere. Enter the building and go to the Third Floor and look for the eGullet 2012 Confectioners Conference signs.

Yes, I'm coming, booked the room and transportation Chris Hennes (+1) Kerry Beal Chocolot curls (+1 for Saturday Dinner) gfron1 Gene lironp lebowits (+1 for Saturday Dinner) patti_h (+1) chocoera (+1) Mette Tikidoc (+1) Sue Casey LindaS Viktoria Sarahdwyer Prabha Carsondial (+1) Fran Carsondial (+1) Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Pretty Definite Attendees Robdoc000 Maybe Lisa Shock prasantrin MelissaH Lior - pending Lottery ticket(s) AnythingButPlainChocolate Genkinaonna MarkIsComing Can't Make it mjx +1 mkayahara YetiChocolates Ruth Wells Kevin Liu nolnacs MariaP DianaM

Saturday Dinner is going to be $25.00 -

Could it also be that some of the fat from the nuts is mixing in with the caramel and causing a seed? Did you account for the extra fat in the nuts?

No definite plans yet for Friday afternoon...I'm still pursuing a couple of leads and ideas. Once anything is assured, I will post here, so watch this space for upcoming announcements.... There is a lovely small town about 2 or 3 miles away from the hotel where the majority of people will be staying, it's called Occoquan. There are two restaurants in town, one the Occoquan Inn, the other Sea and Sea (I believe). I've never eaten there and I don't wish to put my reputation on the line (not that I have much of one...), but, would those coming Friday want me to see if they could seat us for dinner prior to the get together? Any costs for Friday dinner would not be included in the cost of the conference - With that said, there are a TON of restaurants nearby. Mostly they are chain restaurants, (Smokey Bones, Macaroni Grill, Daves Bar-B-Que; Hooters; Uno; Olive Garden, Carrabbas, South of the Border...and the list goes on) but some are not bad. Would everyone like me to post the nearby one's? Is anyone interested in having dinner on Friday night or do we just want to go on our own and meet at the hotel???? Bombard me with your thoughts....

Yes, I'm coming, booked the room and transportation Chris Hennes (+1) Kerry Beal Chocolot curls gfron1 Gene lironp lebowits patti_h (+1) chocoera Mette Tikidoc +1 Sue Casey LindaS Viktoria Sarahdwyer Prabha Carsondial (+1) Fran Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Lebowits Pretty Definite Attendees Robdoc000 Maybe Lisa Shock prasantrin MelissaH DianaM Lior - pending Lottery ticket(s) AnythingButPlainChocolate Genkinaonna MarkIsComing Carsondial Can't Make it mjx +1 mkayahara YetiChocolates Ruth Wells Kevin Liu nolnacs MariaP