Plan: 2014 Chocolate & Confectionery Workshop Las Vegas

[Chris Hennes]

OK, my +1 and I are in, Vegas is certainly easy to get to and the timing is excellent. See you all there!

[DancingLion Chocolates]

Looks like it will depend on airfare for us. They're pretty steep at the moment, but if they get reasonable before the session books up, we'll plan on joining.

Rich

[Chocolot]

Thanks Chris. That leaves only 6 spots left.

LukyJess, We are still working on the agenda, but typically we have some touring activities on Friday such a visit to Chef Rubber, JinJu chocolates, Chefs Warehouse, etc. We haven't finalized it yet. Also on Friday, there will be at least one master class in the morning, and possibly another one in the afternoon. This is at an additional cost. So, to finish answering your question, if it is like in the past, Friday evening will be a Meet n Greet. If you want, you can bring something you have been working on to share with the group. Not necessary, as there is always way too much, but always happy to try out new things.

Saturday morning we will meet at JMA and JMA and Melissa will teach us in a 3 hour class. We are still working on the topics covered, but will probably keep them pretty basic. We are working on lunch to get sponsors. It will be a simple lunch in the break room and you just go get something when you get a chance. The afternoon is open for you to play and explore any confections you would like. JMA has a completely equipped kitchen and all the ingredients will be provided. If you want to learn how to make something, say caramels, you just say so and someone will show you. We all teach each other. Want to make pate de fruit? there is always one of the group who knows how and will teach you and others. Even if you don't think you have enough knowledge to contribute, you do. Everyone does something a bit differently than someone else. We can all learn a new way of doing something. The whole idea is to learn and share that knowledge. The group is diverse. We have some who are in the business full-time, part-time, or just a hobby. We have physicians, firefighters, engineers, chefs, culinary students, secretaries, and others who all share a love for all things related to confections. It is a most friendly group. When I went to the first one, I didn't know anyone except on EG. We have now become close friends and stay in touch via emails and phone calls. I value my EG friends highly.

Back to agenda. Sunday will be the same, meet at JMA. we may have a short demo on a chosen topic, but there is no obligation to watch. If it is a topic that doesn't interest you, you just quietly go about making what you want. You may chose to make something that JMA taught you the day before. Again, lunch and more playing time in the kitchen. Depending on everyones schedule, some will start to leave in the afternoon to catch flights. Most will stay for the afternoon and finish up. We have the kitchen until 5.

Because of space considerations, only those who have registered will be able to be in the kitchen. In the past we were at culinary schools that had lots of space and spouse wandered in and out. That won't be possible here.

Another real benefit of the workshop is to see what Kerry and others have figured out to do with normal objects and relate them to confectionery. Who knew that a tiny brush used to floss between your teeth makes a great air brush cleaning tool? Kerry did:) Who knew that a $4 heating tray from Goodwill, makes a great cocoa butter melting tray, or an electric cooking pot used for deep frying makes a great caramel cooker?These are just a few of the things I have learned from going. We would love to have you join us.

[mostlylana]

I'm so jealous! It looks like you've done a fabulous job of organizing Ruth. Wish I could join you all but the timing just doesn't work.

Can't wait for your post about JMA's secret to making showroom finished chocolates EVERY TIME! And a simple secret to boot... wow...

[Chocolot]

I will be posting new information tomorrow on the workshop.

[Kerry Beal]

Since I'm coming on Tuesday so that I can do anything possible to help with this - I've been perusing the Dining in Las Vegas thread to help me with my planning!

[Chocolot]

Don't forget all the night life in Vegas. There are always a lot of interesting shows.

[Kerry Beal]

Don't forget all the night life in Vegas. There are always a lot of interesting shows.

Ya think? I don't know that I'm really in to that - though I suppose I could change.

[Kerry Beal]

One other thought - as part of my running around before the event - I could come up with stuff for lunches for the 3 days. Our options could be a simples as grabbing Subway - or we could put together breads and cold cuts and salads like we have done for our Niagara workshops. Of course we probably won't have anyone baking us the fabulous breads that our Niagara college instructors did.

Any thoughts on preferences?

[Chocolot]

Those were great breads we had!! I think we are open to any and all suggestions. The lunches are not included, so we are going for an economical solution. We are trying for some sponsorships so that no one has to put out any more than necessary. Personally, I would rather do something quick and simple and save my $$ and calories for the evening. Any other suggestions?

[curls]

A lunch setup similar to Niagara would be great. That worked very well and if we purchased our own cold cuts and sides the quality should be better than most chain delis.

Kerry, there are lots of great shows in Vegas... Cirque du Soleil, Penn & Teller, famous singers, famous comedians. And not to be overlooked for pinball fans, the Pinball Museum (I think it is owned by Tom Arnold).

[Chocolot]

JMA and Melissa have agreed to teach a second master class on Friday afternoon. Space is limited so act fast. The topics covered will NOT be the same as in the morning or on Saturday. Remember that you need to sign up for the Workshop in order to be in the master class.

Go to my website and register. It is at the bottom of the products page. As before, no refunds. We have already paid the deposit on the facility. http://chocolot.com/products-page/

If you don’t get in either class, we will have some other suggested activities for you, such as visiting other chocolatiers, Chef Rubber, chocolate fountain at the Bellagio, etc.

You might also want to plan on a few extra days to see such sights as Hoover Dam (just a short distance from Vegas), Colorado River, and of course, the glitter of Vegas. You might also want to take in a show. Not sure who will be playing then, but you can check on line.

This has been fun planning this Workshop. We hope everyone is pleased with the arrangements. This will be different from the other workshops in that we won’t have as much room, but we will have access to a lot of equipment and experience.

[Chocolot]

Rob wanted me to tell you that he is planning tours on Thursday for those in the classes and on Friday for those not in class. Rob is working hard to make this a great learning workshop.

[RobertM]

It's already shaping up to be a great time...I'm excited!

[YetiChocolates]

Rob wanted me to tell you that he is planning tours on Thursday for those in the classes and on Friday for those not in class. Rob is working hard to make this a great learning workshop.

Guess I better plan on getting there on Wednesday then!

[ChocolateMom]

Hi Ruth & Rob (& Everyone)...You may remember me as one of Kyle's moms...the young man who has attended a couple of the Niagara-on-the-Lake workshops. He's 16 now and although he enjoys making chocolates casually, he's less inclined to go to the workshop this year...however, this allows me to participate without him feeling like I'm invading his space...after shadowing his work in this area over the years, I have learned lots through him and I'd like to sign up for the classes. I'm busy looking into whether my spouse and I can take a couple of days and then sign up for a room. But I have a couple of questions...right now we're looking at arriving on Thursday and maybe participate in the chocolate shop tour Friday morning and then I would take the classes. So If I sign up as the one to take the classes on Sat & Sun., my spouse is just wondering if she would be allowed to tag along for the shop tour...second question is we are not planning to rent a car, so we see there is a bus along Flamingo to Decatur, but wondering if the shop tour will require driving to various locations or if it's just one location we would need to figure out how to get there. Also, how are people making their payments for the conference. Sorry, I know that's a lot for my first post

[Chocolot]

Good to hear from you. Don't have all the answers, but will tell you what I know. Rob is working on the tour and hasn't finalize it yet. I don't think there would be a problem with your spouse going on the tour. There will be others with cars, so I think we can get you to the kitchen. At the kitchen, there won't be room for spectators. That is a trade off for having lots of toys to play with:) So if what you are asking is if you and spouse can do Friday tour, if in the morning, then you would possibly take the afternoon class and participate on Saturday and Sunday while your spouse is gambling away your money, correct? I think that is all doable. I think Rob is also looking into a tour on Thursday for those tied up on Friday. Again, still planning stage.

When you decide, go to my website, www.chocolot.com. Go to products page. At the bottom are options for the afternoon Friday class and the Saturday-Sunday workshop. There are limited slots and when they are gone, they are gone. Remember there are no refunds. This is harsh, but we have paid the first deposit and can't get in the middle of refunds. Since you are in Canada, on my site, just put in your address, but say you are in Utah. It seems to not know any better and accepts it. If you just want the tour and the workshop, that is cool too. Be happy to see you again. Hotel info is at the bottom of this post.

[ChocolateMom]

Hi,

Yes, you are correct...my spouse will be busy selling our house to the casino while I do the workshop...we knew that she would not be able to spectate that. If it works up that she can join me on the tour though, would be great. I completely understand the need to non-refundable and the only issue for me is that I will not be able to sign up until late Monday when she's had a chnace to speak with her boss to get Thursday and Friday off. She works in a daycare and even though she's pretty sure she will get the days, I don't want to risk laying out the Monday until we know for sure. I recognize that means I might be too late by Monday to sign up. Here's hoping. Not planning to take the Master class...since my spouse will have a lot of time to kill (and I don't consider myself advanced), we'll do the tour Friday morning and then the Saturday-Sunday workshop for me ...that way I can keep her company Friday afternoon and not have all our saving gone too quickly. Fingers are crossed that on Monday I can sign us up for the hotel and the workshop.

[Chocolot]

From Rob:

Gang - we still have a few spots open for the workshop and a few spots open for the second masters class. Sign up soon and remember to book your hotel room before the group rates expire.

We have a possibility of getting chef jackets donated to the event. Could everyone who has signed up please send me your sizes so if this comes to fruition we can have the right sizes for you?

Also, as we continue seeking sponsors we are asking if any of you have contacts at manufacturers or distributors that might be a good sponsor for the event. Essentially we're asking for either a little bit of money to cover food for participants or product donations. Here are the sponsor levels that we are currently promoting:

Title Sponsor: $1000

Name on all materials including chef jackets; mailing list of all participants, signage at all events and in all recruitment marketing

Product Sponsor: Product and/or monetary support

Provide 25 pounds of various chocolate samples

Provide transfer sheets, molds, flavoring ingredients, cocoa butter appropriate for 25 participants

Meal Sponsor: $250

Catered meal for participants (4 sponsorships available)

Tour Sponsor: $250

Provide transportation to tour chocolate shops in Vegas.

[YetiChocolates]

When do we need to make the hotel reservations by?

Is there anyone who is going solo that would be interested in sharing a room?

Also, flights to Vegas from Jackson are actually quite reasonable so I've jumped ship on driving and am going to fly instead

[Chocolot]

Hotel reservations by the end of the year. Vegas is usually pretty cheap to fly into. Glad you are coming.

[patti_h]

Willow I might be interested in sharing a room although I would warn you I sometimes snore! My plan is to stay Th-Sat nights. Did not reserve yet but will soon. Just waiting on some pay from catering clients.....

[YetiChocolates]

Patti that's fine with me, earplugs are a marvelous invention I'm going to get into town Wednesday night and leave Monday morning, so if you want I can make the reservation for us and then you can just reimburse me when we get there for the nights you'll be staying if that works for you?

[patti_h]

Willow that would be fine, or if you need me to send you a check before then, that would work for me too. I am getting quite excited for this trip!

[xxchef]

Sounds awesome. I'm in.