Plan: 2014 Chocolate & Confectionery Workshop Las Vegas

[FrogPrincesse]

Say it isn't so!  I've got a suitcase full of glasses for you girl!

  

Oh no... You are too sweet Kerry. Hopefully I will be able to attend the next event.

Sorry to hear that FP - we'll be sure to take lots of pics for you

Looking forward to a full report.

[curls]

It looks like I won't be able to attend the workshop after all. I am really bummed because I had a fantastic time last year.

If anybody is interested in my spot, please feel free to contact me directly.

 

So sorry you won't be joining us. Was hoping to get you to go to Frankies Tiki Room with us.

[FrogPrincesse]

So sorry you won't be joining us. Was hoping to get you to go to Frankies Tiki Room with us.

Frankie's is a fun place. I had a great time there last time I was in Vegas. I got their mug and a bunch of swizzle sticks as souvenirs.

[RobertM]

Gfron1, I don't fly out until Monday night so count me in on Sunday...

[curls]

There's a lot of unofficial side happenings happening.  Here's one that I want to make sure everyone has a shot at.  Lotus of Siam Thursday, 15 May,  at 7 pm.  Here's who we have so far:

Rob
Kerry
Ruth
Donna
Andrea
Jessica
Romina
Bob the troublemaker
Cassidy
Willow
Robyn
Gaylene
Dave Hardy
xxchef

Anyone else, please respond by this Thursday (1 May) and I'll try to get a reservation for us. Question for everyone signed up for dinner at Lotus of Siam... are you solo or coming with a guest(s). If I need to add to the reservation, please let me know soon!

 

(edited to update Erika's status)

Edited May 1, 2014 by curls (log)

[Chocolot]

Add Susan to Lotus.

[curls]

There's a lot of unofficial side happenings happening.  Here's one that I want to make sure everyone has a shot at.  Lotus of Siam Thursday, 15 May,  at 7 pm.  Here's who we have so far:

Rob
Kerry
Ruth
Donna
Andrea
Jessica
Romina
Bob
Cassidy
Willow
Robyn
Gaylene
Dave Hardy
xxchef

Susan

Anyone else, please respond by this Thursday (1 May) and I'll try to get a reservation for us. Question for everyone signed up for dinner at Lotus of Siam... are you solo or coming with a guest(s). If I need to add to the reservation, please let me know soon!

Edited May 1, 2014 by curls (log)

[Katie]

The itinerary mentions "kitchen shoes" for use in the classes. I'm not sure what that means.

[gfron1]

The itinerary mentions "kitchen shoes" for use in the classes. I'm not sure what that means.

close toed and non-slip.

[Katie]

Okay. Thank you.

[gfron1]

As we head into the weekend, think about if you have any lingering questions about the official or unofficial program.  On Sunday we'll be doing one last detail check and then hopefully be done with preparations.  I'll post a final itinerary that night as well which I encourage you to print or download so you have all of the addresses, etc.  Looking forward to seeing everyone in just over a week.

[curls]

Lotus of Siam Thursday, 15 May,  at 7 pm.  Here's who we have:

Rob
Kerry
Ruth
Donna
Andrea
Jessica
Romina
Bob
Cassidy
Willow
Robyn
Gaylene
Dave Hardy
xxchef

Susan

Sarah

 

Still waiting for a reservation confirmation but the request is in with the restaurant.

[Chocolot]

Reservation is confirmed. Be there by 7 or lose your reservation!

[gfron1]

Questions: Did someone make the reservation for Sunday's dessert tasting at Sweets Raku? Can someone (not in the masters classes) take the lead on getting folks to the airbrush demo at Jinju? And last chance to send me recipes for the recipe share robATconnoleyDOTcom. And I present to you the final itinerary for the event! Please look especially at the various meal reservations to make sure you were included in anything that you want to be included in.

SPONSORS:  SaltWorks, Albert Uster Imports, Bakers C&C, Chef Rubber, Chocolat Chocolat, Barry Callebaut, Chocotransfersheets.com, El Rey Chocolates, Fresh Origins, Guittard, Muir Gourmet, Swiss Chalet (Felchin), Thermoworks, Tomric, Trufflymade.com

 

*All non-workshop events are included for paid participants and their spouses/guests.  All others have a $25 guest fee for participation to cover administrative expenses.

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14^TH  PRE-PRE-EVENT

6:00

Early Bird Dinner at Raku *res confirmed by Rob

*Not included in registration • Est drive time from hotel (9 min)

5030 W. Spring Mountain Rd #2, Las Vegas, NV 89146

702-367-3511

Confirmed: Rob, Kerry, Ruth, Andrea (have one spot open on our reservation if anyone wants it)

 

8:15

Early Bird Drinks at Nora’s Italian Cuisine

*Not included in registration • Est drive time from Raku (3 min)

6020 W. Flamingo Ste 10, Las Vegas, NV 89103

702-873-8990

 

 

 

THURSDAY, MAY 15TH

Chocolate & Pastry Tours

Leaving from hotel lobby promptly at 12:45 (or meet on-site)

1:00

Sweet Ruby Janes

*Confections • est drive time from hotel (12 min)

http://stores.sweetrubyjane.com/

9550 S. Eastern Avenue #110, Las Vegas, NV 89123

Mon-Sat, 10-7

 

2:00

Suzuya Pastry & Crepe

*Not chocolates, just pastry • est drive time (13 min)

http://www.suzuyapastriesandcrepes.com/

7225 S Durango Dr, Ste 101, Las Vegas, NV 89113

Wed-Mon, 10-6

 

3:00

Brasado Chocolate

*Mixed style chocolate • est drive time (13 min)

https://plus.google.com/118029790747975096869

410 S Rampart Blvd, Ste 170, Las Vegas, NV 89144

Mon-Sat, 10-9, Sun, 10-6

 

4:00

Patisserie Manon

*Full service pastry with chocolate • est drive time (2 min)

http://www.patisseriemanon.com

8751 W. Charleston Blvd, Suite 110 Las Vegas, NV 89117

Tue-Sat, 7-9, Sun, 7-7

 

7:00

Early Bird Dinner at Lotus of Siam *Res confirmed by Ruth

*Not included in registration • Est drive time from hotel (7 min) • Res only held for 5 minutes so don’t be late!

953 E Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104

702-735-3033

Confirmed reservations: Rob, Kerry, Ruth, Donna, Andre, Jessica, Romina, Bob, Cassidy, Willow, Robyn, Gaylene, Dave Ha, David He, Susan, Sarah (16)

 

 

FRIDAY, MAY 16^TH

You are responsible for getting yourself to the event.  No organized transportation will be provided.  There are plenty of cars for carpooling.  Drive time is estimated at 10 minutes. 

8:00 - Noon

Morning Master Class *Pre-registration required

4780 W. Harmon Ave. Ste 1, Las Vegas, NV 89103

Melissa’s winning bon bon from Pastry Live 2013

Spraying and other techniques

Shelling

Fruit compote

Ganache

Closing

Decorating techniques

Hazelnut-chocolate spread

Brief discussion on panning

 

Lunch on your own

 

12:30 – 4:30

Afternoon Master Class *Pre-registration required

4780 W. Harmon Ave. Ste 1, Las Vegas, NV 89103

Nougat

Hard-filled candies (i.e. peanut butter inside a hard shell)

Candy bar

Ganache bi-couche with marzipan stabilized with cocoa butter

 

3:00 – 5:00

Jinju Chocolates – Airbrush Demo

*included in registration or guest fee • Est drive from JMA (20 min) from hotel (14 min)

http://www.jinjuchocolates.com/

4040 E. Post Rd. #F5, Las Vegas, NV 89120

Mon-Sat, 10-7

 

5:30

Chef Rubber Private Shopping Excursion

*included in registration or guest fee • Est drive from JMA (8 min) from hotel (10 min)

6627 Schuster St, Las Vegas, NV 89118

 

8:00

Dinner at Honey Salt *Res confirmed by Rob • est drive time from hotel (18 min)

1031 S. Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89145

702-445-6100

*$40 per person (plus 8.1% sales tax and 20% gratuity); alcoholic drinks are on your own; prefix menu

 

SATURDAY, MAY 17^TH

8:00    

Breakfast on your own; gather at JMA

4780 W. Harmon Ave. Ste 1, Las Vegas, NV 89103

 

8:30

Workshop begins promptly at 8:30  *Registrants only

Dress with chefs jacket (provided) and close-toed kitchen shoes; long pants

Gummies

Caramel

Ganache and how to balance formula

 

11:30

The SaltWorks Lunch Break *light lunch (cold cuts) on-site or on your own

 

Peer led instruction and practice time

 

4:00

Begin clean-up

 

5:00

Kitchen closes for night

 

 

 

Dinner on your own

Prior to selecting Honey Salt, the following restaurants were highly recommended by local foodies for quality of food, value and location:

 

DW Bistro (Jamaican)  6115 S Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89148 702-527-5200

Bachi Burger  470 E Windmill Ln. #100, Las Vegas, NV 89123  702-242-2244

Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen (Thai)  2110 N. Rampart St. #110, Las Vegas, NV 89128 702-360-8885

Marche Bacchus (Bistro) 2620 Regatta Dr. #106, Las Vegas, NV 89128  702-804-8008

Jerusalem Grill 4825 W. Flamingo Dr.

Braddah’s Island 2330 S. Rainbow St.

Ichiza 4355 Spring Mountain Rd.

Yonaka Japanese

 

There’s also a thriving food truck scene that you might want to check out at

http:// roaminghunger.com/lv

            Wa Da Pho

 

 

8:30

Chocolate Social: Location tbd

*included in registration or guest fee

Bring your best chocolates or confections to share as well as beverages.

Bring old and duplicate molds for a mold exchange/sale.

 

 

SUNDAY, MAY 18TH

8:30

Peer led instruction and practice time

Dress with chefs jacket & close-toed kitchen shoes; long pants

 

Lunch on your own

 

3:30

Begin clean-up

 

4:30

Kitchen closes

 

Farewell

 

7:00

Late Leavers Dessert at Sweets Raku

*Not included in registration • Est drive time from hotel (7 min)

953 E Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104

702-735-3033

Confirmed reservations: Rob, Kerry, Ruth, Donna, Bob, Andrea, David W, Elizabeth, Katie, Katie’s plus one, Sarah D, Robert M (12)

 

 

On your own touring:

C Vincent Pilon

*Kiosk in Mandalay Bay

www.vincentpilon.com

Mandalay Pl 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119

 

Jean Phillipe Patissere

Bellagio  3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

Fri-Sun, 6am-Midnight, Mon-Thu, 6am-11pm

 

Payard Patisserie & Bistro

Caesars Palace Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Wed-Sun, 6:30-am-2:30pm & 5pm-10pm

 

Bouchon

3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Mon-Sun, 6am-9pm

 

Pink Box Doughnuts

6643 S. Las Vegas Blvd, K-123, Las Vegas, NV 89119

 

Frankie’s Tiki Room

1712 W. Charleston, Las Vegas, NV

 

Artisinal Foods

2275 E. Sunset

[Chocolot]

Sweets Raku doesn't take reservations...I tried.

[gfron1]

Sweets Raku doesn't take reservations...I tried.

So we have to just walk in?  Ugghh.  Hopefully not a problem on a Sunday night.  I might send them a note to see if it makes any difference.

[gfron1]

The 5th spot on Wednesday's dinner has been grabbed by Willow.  We're happy to have anyone else, but I'm done making reservations, so please just call directly.  Thnx

[Chocolot]

When I called Sweets Raku to make a reservation, she told me it isn't necessary as they take everyone first come, first served.

[gfron1]

When I called Sweets Raku to make a reservation, she told me it isn't necessary as they take everyone first come, first served.

Response I just got:

Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately we do not take reservations. First comes first service basis. Our occupancy is 22 seats, counter seats 13 plus tables. Our suggestion is of course at the counter to see our chef's entertainments. So we recommend you all to come at opening time 12pm. Usually at noon we are not that busy. I hope this suggestion will help you. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Thank you very much,

[Katie]

Do we have any plans yet as to the location of the social?

[Chocolot]

It will be somewhere at the Tuscany. We are waiting to see what is available, short of renting an event room. It might end up being in one of our rooms, as they are very large. It might also be outdoors near the pool. We will post when we get there and figure it out:)

[gfron1]

Andrea created a Google Maps for us with all of the pertinent locations - very cool!  Put it in your phone for navigation.

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zMaDOUgXQhOk.kM_q6L4dgrT0

[Katie]

For any one interested, I would predict the high temperatures in vegas in two weeks to be in the mid 90s. Most likely quite windy, because it has been for the last few weeks, so be prepared for that. I can answer more questions about vegas weather if anyone has any.

[Chris Hennes]

For those of you bringing chocolate to Vegas: how are you transporting it? 

[Kerry Beal]

I'm thinking a lock and lock container with pieces in truffle cups.  Haven't given any thought to refrigeration though.  Mention of the 90 degree temperatures makes me think perhaps I should.