Plan: 2014 Chocolate & Confectionery Workshop Las Vegas

[Chocolot]

The next workshop will be held May 17-18, 2014 in Las Vegas. Schedule your vacations now:-) Details will be finalized in the next few months.

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[Kerry Beal]

In my calendar!

[curls]

Thanks for organizing this Ruth. It is on my calendar!

[RobertM]

ON the Calendar....

[dhardy123]

Exciting!

[Kerry Beal]

Exciting!

You gonna come?

[dhardy123]

Exciting!

You gonna come?

Yes most likely. It is our long weekend here so that helps!

[Prabha]

It's on the calendar!

[Chocolot]

I have been checking with hotels in Vegas. I have received group rates from several. I need your input to see if I am going in the right direction. Right now, the Tuscany looks like it would be our best deal. The Pros: cheap-$50 per night Sun-Th. $100 Friday and Saturday. NO resort fee!! Free parking near the rooms. Large rooms. Very good reviews. Don't have to go through casino to get to rooms. Central location. Cons: Off strip one block east of Paris.(This might be a pro:-). There are 15 buildings in the complex but we can request all of us in one building. No free wifi. There are free hotspots throughout the hotel, but not in the rooms.

From what I am gathering, hotels get you every chance they can on fees. Parking, wifi, resort fee.(as much as $25 per room per day) Tuscany will waive resort fee if we have 10 rooms confirmed. Every room will have a 12% tax on top of rates.

What I would like you to do, is if you are thinking about coming, give us some input. You might be planning on staying with friends or relatives or finding your own room. That is all great. I just would like an idea of how many might be interested in a room. No firm commitment at this time, just a rough idea.

I need to sign the contract by August 9 to guarantee rates. Thanks.

http://www.tuscanylv.com

[Kerry Beal]

I have the advantage of having been given the heads up yesterday - but I looked at this deal and found it very appealing. I'll be in for a room for sure. I have an american cell phone which gives me my own hotspot so no worries about the wifi in the rooms for me.

Might go for sharing a two bedroom though to get the microwave etc.

Edited July 30, 2013 by Kerry Beal (log)

[curls]

I will need a room. Not having to go through a smoke filled casino to get to my room is a big plus.

Do you know where the workshop will be... just wondering if whatever hotel you pick we will need a car to get there or if there is a possibility of being within walking distance of the workshop site.

[RobertM]

Barb and I will be there and we will be needing a room -

**What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas**

[Kerry Beal]

Barb and I will be there and we will be needing a room -

**What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas**

Hope we'll bring some knowledge home!

[Chocolot]

Donna, no hotels are near the kitchens we are looking at, sorry. There will be enough cars to get you where you need to go. Kerry, the two bedroom suites are $219 per night-thought that was a bit high.

[FrogPrincesse]

I am interested in attending but won't need a room. Thanks!

Edited August 1, 2013 by FrogPrincesse (log)

[YetiChocolates]

Sorry it's taken so long for me to reply, it's been a busy fire season so far as I'm sure you are all well aware of. I will need a room but a bit confused on earlier posts, are the rooms with only one bed or two? I would be willing to share if anyone would be interested, otherwise I'm solo. And I'll be driving as it's "fairly" close so will be able to carpool with people if need be and can bring whatever equipment is needed. Hopefully it will be within my budget this winter for a melter . Let me know if you need help Ruth!

[Chocolot]

Thanks Willow. The rooms will be 1 or 2 beds or a double suite (at double the price:) As it gets closer, I'm sure people will reach out for room sharing. I will be signing the contract next week just to lock in our rates. They will be good for 3 days before and after our dates so those who choose can stay longer.

[Mette]

I'd absolutely love to join, but it is in the middle of my exam-period, so a no go - will be there for 2015 (provided I get my degree)

[patti_h]

I am going to put it on my calendar as well! I will be solo and would like to share a room if anyone would like to share. I'll plan on arriving Friday & leaving Monday. Would like to ride share as well & I can chip in for the car/ gas- I am not any good at driving in large unfamiliar cities! Looking forward to seeing the eGullet peeps again!

[Chocolot]

We have some exciting developments for the May 17-18 2014 eGullet Chocolate & Confections Workshop in Las Vegas.

We have confirmed the use of Jean Marie Auboine's chocolate studio and the participation of Melissa Coppel, the 2013 Chocolatier of the Year! These are two of the world's finest chocolatiers and both are very excited for us to use their space and participate with our group.

There will be a few changes this year since we're in Las Vegas, and we hope you'll appreciate the amazing opportunity we're being given which is necessitating some of these changes.

We anticipate the price for both days to be $150 $160 per person if you register prior to 12/31/13. After that time the price will increase to $250. A $50 deposit is required to confirm your spot. We will have more details on this shortly. This deposit is non-refundable but will guarantee your spot. This price includes use of the facility and a 3 hour demo by Jean Marie and chocolate and other supplies for use throughout the weekend. Meals are not included in this price, but we're working on sponsorship for breakfasts and lunches.

We are also offering a master class for the first 10 people at an additional $130 on Friday afternoon. This class will be taught by both Jean Marie and Melissa. This class is intended for more advanced participants. Registration for this class will require payment in full and is non-refundable.

All registrations will be opened to the general public (meaning non-eGullters and friends) on 1/1/14 to ensure that the workshop expenses will be met.

These are the most important items for now, but know that we're working on a super, value-packed weekend including:

•Printed recipes shared by the participants

•Plenty of giveaways

•Chocolate sampling panel so you can try as many chocolates and couvetures that we can get

•Friday night social

•Friday morning chocolate shop tour of Vegas

•The ever popular chocolate and confection sharing party!

Mark your calendars now. Remember that we have hotel rooms blocked off. And watch for the next update for registration opening up.

Thanks,

Ruth & Rob

Edited September 4, 2013 by Chris Hennes
Corrected the price information (log)

[Alleguede]

Melissa and jean Marie are fantastic people and professionals. This is worth every moment.

If I can fly out I will definitively wok at it.

[Chocolot]

Just a little background on Jean-Marie:

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Master Chocolatier and Executive Pastry Chef Jean Marie Auboine. After graduating in 1988 from Lycee Technique Hotelier Quercy at age 18, he served at some of the world’s most esteemed restaurants. He began at Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse in Monaco, assisting the famed eatery in earning Michelin’s highest honor, Three Stars. Chef Auboine continued his distinguished career at several Michelin-starred restaurants which included One Star Chateau de Mercues in France and Hotel Beau Rivage in Geneva, as well as the highly respected Two Star restaurant-hotel, La Pyramide Vienne in France.

Also, I had a typo on the price. It is $160 rather than $150. Sorry for the error.

[curls]

Is there a code for registering for a room in the hotel at the block rate?

[Chocolot]

13B7TU - Group Code

www.tuscanylv.com

Tuscany Hotel Las Vegas

[Chocolot]

Here are the instructions for registering for the Workshop:

Go to chocolot/products-page/. At the bottom of that page are three options. The Master class, Deposit for workshop and Pay in full for workshop. You need to be registered for the workshop in order to attend the Master class.

Please note that these moneys are non-refundable. We regret that, but the money will be forwarded to JMA for our deposit on the facilities. None of us are in a position to “loan” the fees.

If you choose the deposit option, the remainder needs to be paid by the end of the year, or the amount goes up. We will add that option once we have our numbers.

This is a bargain for any type of chocolate workshop. We are excited to be able to work with JMA and Melissa. Las Vegas is a fun destination and many of us plan to spend extra time. There are many excellent chocolatiers in Vegas that you will want to check out.

Please don’t put it off. There are only ten spots available in the Master class. 25 spots in the Workshop.

Once we get confirmation of registration, we will post them.

After registering, you should get a confirmation. If you don't, message me. Also, we aren't sure if it works from Canada.

Edited September 4, 2013 by Chocolot (log)