PLANNING: eGullet Chocolate and Confectionery Workshop 2019

[gfron1]

Word has it that I get the honor of welcoming our humble crew to St. Louis in 2019 for the next workshop. I relocated to St. Louis about two years ago (born and raised here, but gone for 30 years), and already know all the chocolatiers and culinary school staff, so this should be fun.

 

At this point I'd love to hear your thoughts on a few things:

1. Dates. Typically in May. Often there are conflicts like the NRA convention and weddings. The facility may drive this answer but I'd like to hear what you all would prefer.

2. Content. What would you like to see covered and what maybe hasn't worked so well in the past?

3. Here in town we have Rick Jordan and Nathaniel Reid in addition to a bunch of casino chefs and other artisanal chocolatiers. Christopher Elbow is across the state (5 hours). No question, just throwing that out.

4. Does anyone live nearby who can help with planning, or even if not close can support the planning from afar? I know that when Ruth and I worked on Vegas neither of us were on-site, but Ruth made a few trips so the work can be done from anywhere.

5. Any must or absolutely nots from previous events?

 

As always I hope we have a great mix of new and old, experienced and novice. St Louis is central, and being a secondary airport you can normally get really cheap flights!

[Kerry Beal]

1. How about week after mother's day - that's what we have usually done in the past? What are the dates of the NRA? Perhaps (at least me) could combine.

 

2. I'm not much help to you here - I'm usually the one asking this question.

 

3. 5 hours might be a stretch - but maybe he'd come see us?

 

4. I'll help all I can from there - but I might be limited.

 

5. Collect the money ahead of time - you don't get screwed that way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kerry Beal]

Just now, Kerry Beal said:

1. How about week after mother's day - that's what we have usually done in the past? What are the dates of the NRA? Perhaps (at least me) could combine.

 

2. I'm not much help to you here - I'm usually the one asking this question.

 

3. 5 hours might be a stretch - but maybe he'd come see us?

 

4. I'll help all I can from there - but I might be limited.

 

5. Collect the money ahead of time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chocolot]

Looking forward to it. The weekend after Mother's Day has been good, so we can get our production done and then play.

Would love to meet and learn from some new experts.

I second Kerry with the money. Set it up online and when you are full, you are done. No refunds. The money becomes a huge challenge. Knowing what you have to work with is a big help. Kerry has subsidized the workshops for years, and she shouldn't have to.  Provide a list of sponsors with emails, so that attendees can send a thank you to them. It really helps for the next time we approach with our hands out. You have Gaylene and Erika sorta close:)

 

[Gwbyls]

I’m somewhat close and willing to help. Let me know Rob!

 

Gaylene

[Pastrypastmidnight]

I’m in KC (well, 30 minutes out) and I can probably help with small assignments. I would like to do more, but we are dealing with some big family challenges right now and I’d hate to drop the ball on something. 

[YetiChocolates]

When you say NRA, are you referring to National Restaurant Association? Because my mind definitely defaults to a different acronym...

 

I think finding a space big enough with enough tools to work with for attendees, or if there is a shortage of equipment be up front so folks know to bring more of their own...we ran into difficulties in lack of equipment in Niagara this year.   

 

Maybe demoing how to mix your own cocoa butter using powders (and people who are interested could purchase and bring powders if we can’t get donations/samples? - just a thought)

 

[Sweet Impact Mama]

I'm 5.5 hours out from St. Louis, and definitely want to attend next year! Will probably drive, so can help possibly bringing things? I'm pretty new to chocolate, but might have stuff you need. Happy to help if I  can.

[ptw1953]

I am half the planet away from St. Louis, but would still love to attend the workshop. Unfortunately, the buses from Edinburgh don't go that far. 😄

 

I'd also love to visit Lubbock, Texas, to see where Charles Hardin Holley lived. Can't see either thing happening though...😪

[Chris Hennes]

😞 As usual, I'll most likely be out of the country then (coincidentally quite close to ptw1953, actually!). Maybe we could have the thing in Scotland in 2020! (Not volunteering to plan it)

[ptw1953]

How close Chris?

[lebowits]

I've had the pleasure of spending time with both Rick and Nathaniel.  Both are great people and would be fun to work with.

[VistaGardens]

I am happy to help with whatever can be done via internet, as I am in CA.  Just let me know.  I can also come out a day early if you like to help set up if needed.

[gfron1]

I think I got us a venue with a chef who just got a new Selmi and enrober! Fingers crossed.

[Kerry Beal]

17 minutes ago, gfron1 said:

I think I got us a venue with a chef who just got a new Selmi and enrober! Fingers crossed.

For a Selmi with enrober (that I don't have to lug from one town to another) I'll cross fingers and toes!

 

 

[chefmd]

2 minutes ago, Kerry Beal said:

For a Selmi with enrober (that I don't have to lug from one town to another) I'll cross fingers and toes!

 

 

Please take a picture of your fingers and toes  and post it on eGullet

[Kerry Beal]

Just now, chefmd said:

Please take a picture of your fingers and toes  and post it on eGullet

Hard to do while holding a camera!

[JoNorvelleWalker]

3 hours ago, Kerry Beal said:

Hard to do while holding a camera!

 

@nathanm says he sometimes has to wrap his hands in aluminum foil to get his photographs.  You can do it.

 

[gfron1]

We have a venue! St. Louis Community College - Forest Park has agreed to host our 2019 event. I visited today and they have plenty of space for us, lots of equipment including a brand new Selmi and enrober. Casey Shiller is the program coordinator and is a Brand Ambassador for AUI/Felchin.  He's easily googleable if you want to learn more about him. He's on the USA's culinary olympic team. His classes end the Friday that we arrive so we'll have the place to ourselves, but his students are also willing to do a continental breakfast and lunch for us if we want. I didn't ask him about dinner like we've done sometimes but I'm sure they would if we asked. 

 

A short 5 minute walk is a Hampton with rates averaging $100 per night (haven't talked about discounts with them yet). And the location could not be better! This borders Forest Park which has all of St. Louis' major attractions (almost all are free) - the Zoo, the Art Museum, the Muny - and more trails than you could ever want to Lime Scooter on. Its also 2 minutes to the Central West End entertainment district and 5 minutes to The Loop (home of Chuck Berry and Blueberry Hill).

 

I would really like to get more thoughts on possible workshops. There are so many top chocolatiers in the area that we can do some fun stuff. I also would love to have someone step up and coordinate the sponsor requests. It looks like my new restaurant is opening before the end of the year so I just won't have time to do that aspect of the weekend. Thoughts?

[curls]

@gfron1 thanks for setting this up — maybe I’m missing it but what are the 2019 workshop dates?

[RobertM]

Put me down for the attending list.....and if there is a Master Class, put me on that too

[Kerry Beal]

Don't think I can do the sponsor organizing thing from here - but I'll take take of Canadian requests. 

 

Hopefully workshop choices will come out of what people identify as wanting to learn. Are you thinking workshops we teach or outside talent?

[RobertM]

If Mark is following this thread....

”I hope you can make it to next years workshop”

[gfron1]

3 hours ago, curls said:

@gfron1 thanks for setting this up — maybe I’m missing it but what are the 2019 workshop dates?

It seems the weekend after Mother's Day has become our standard - May 17-19, 2019.

[gfron1]

2 hours ago, Kerry Beal said:

Hopefully workshop choices will come out of what people identify as wanting to learn. Are you thinking workshops we teach or outside talent?

I liked when we had a bit of formal instruction or two for people to attend, and then the usual group-led teaching. If there's no energy around a specific idea or two then there's no point bringing in a ringer. But if people want something specific, its easy enough to find willing instructors.