RobertM

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

Chris - based on the numbers I believe the cost will be in the neighborhood of $150/per, which will include the costs for lunch on Saturday and Sunday as well as dinner Saturday night. Fran; there is always room for more! Welcome

Typically the Conference "Report" begins back in the hotel; so if anyone wishes to post in the comfort of your room you should think about bringing your laptop and digital camera

PS - beautiful work Erica

I will have pastry bags there for our use; along with latex gloves. Plus, please don't forget we are in an excellent culinary school and they will have a great deal of equipment available for our use

My thoughts. Wear comfortable shoes, I'm hoping we'll be working on our feet the majority of both days. I second Kerry's thoughts, an apron and containers to take stuff home. I like to bring my own "tools" - scrapers, dipping forks, etc. Simply because those are the tools I'm going to be using once I return back home and am working in my own "space". Anyone bringing molds, I would STRONGLY urge you to mark them to identify them as your molds. It's very easy to get confused, many molds look alike.

Prabha; Welcome to Friday and welcome to Ben! We are glad that you both will be joining us!

Liron - PM me; you can send your package(s) to me at my home and I would be happy to care for them until your arrival

The Kitchens we will be in are on the Third Floor - I'll be putting up signs of some sort to direct conference members to the floor and general direction of the proper kitchen

Of course: Stratford University 14349 Gideon Drive Wood bridge, VA. 22192 The school is in it's own building, near Potomac Mills Mall, across the street from COSTCO (closest to the COSTCO gas). For anyone needing landmarks there is a Toys R Us on the other side, Ikea is about 1/4 mile away.

Jen - those are beautiful...out of interest, what flavors lurk underneath?

Updating our attendee list & adding new Friday Category which is only for the Friday daytime activity, not the Friday night meet and greet... 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 Friday (Daytime activity) Kerry Beal curls Mette Chocolot Lebowits Pretty Definite Attendees Prabha Robdoc000 MariaP 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

A couple more odds and ends I've had a couple local people inquire if they can bring their spouses to the dinner on Saturday night. For anyone else that is wondering, the answer is of course, but I need to know so I can give the school a final head count. If you wish to have your spouse join us, please PM me and we'll add them to the count. I'd also like to get an idea of the people who will be here on Friday for any kind of Friday afternoon activity I can muster up. Depending on the numbers, I'm contemplating a couple of different activities. Please let me know if you are interested in a Friday "outing", one just hit me last night but it will depend on the number of people interested.

Pat, bummer you won't be joining us, you will be greatly missed.

Met yesterday with the chef at the school. He is asking if anyone has any food allergies. Can you PM me if you do and specifically to what? Shellfish? Peanuts? etc? I also found out that the school does not have 220 in the kitchens so bringing my JKV is out. I'm still going to bring the ACMC tabletop.

Chris - those look awesome! Are they the one's you're bringing on Friday night at the Conference next month?

I just spoke to the Marriott; thank you to all who made their reservations. Just a note, that as of today, the hotel is sold out for both Friday and Saturday evening. Anyone wishing to make a last minute reservation, please let me know, perhaps I can help direct you to another hotel nearby.

Mette I will be obtaining some ingredients for the hands on portions of the conference, and the addition of your Elderflower and black liquorice sound wonderful. If anyone else has specific ingredients that they would want to try and incorporate into confections I would encourage them to bring them, or let me know what they are and I can try and obtain them here locally. During the 2010 conference, someone made a truffle with sun dried tomatoes and peppercorn - it was actually very delicious.... I have been collecting some different things to use as ingredients (if anyone wants to use them) - for experimentation. I am also trying to work with a couple of flavor ingredient companies to send us some samples of different things to try - Also, please don't worry about your skill level or the "look" of your chocolates. No one is grading or judging anyone else. These conferences are for every skill and interest level. The hope is to continue to fire the interest in peoples desires to learn and to give everyone the chance to enhance not only their knowledge base but their skill sets as well. Everyone, no matter what their skill level, can learn something from someone else. Plus, the ability to network and develop those kinds of relationships is wonderful.