Monday, August 9, 2010

Chocolate Making Classes and Gelatini's!

Hello to all! I hope you enjoyed that adorable picture was submitted by chocolate lover Olivia Serpa. We always welcome kind words from people of all ages!

Last week the Anna Shea chocolatiers held the first tempering class. It was a huge success. The first part of the class included the history of Anna Shea Chocolates and a tour of the production facility along with a brief description of the chocolate making equipment. The students then gathered around the marble to learn about the history of chocolate and a demonstration of hand tempering. Each student was then invited to try the tempering process. We had a lot of success and a few failures but fun was had all by all. At the end of the class the tempered chocolate was used to dip strawberries, dip and decorate marshmallows, etc. Each student decorated their own chocolate lolli with a variety of colored cocoa butter. The next class will be about the art of truffle making. Most of the classes are filled but we will be offering a lot more after the first of the year. There are a few openings so call the store for more details. I will keep you posted on the new classes and team building events we have planned for 2011.

This months Sheatini is turning out of be one of our most popular yet! The Death by Chocolate Gelatini is a creamy blend of chocolate, vodka and chocolate gelato. The Gelatini is paired with our Original Sin Truffle. Stop in every Thursday in August to try this yummy creation.

Speaking of martini’s Anna Shea Chocolates is hosting our first Martini Festival on August 20th. Our favorite performer, Ben Calhoun will be in our lounge from 8:00 pm until 10:00 pm. In the next few days we will be emailing the details so check your inbox!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Welcome to the Anna Shea Chocolates blog! I want to use my first post to tell you about the people behind Anna Shea Chocolates. And to acknowledge some of the key people who helped to make this company what it is today.

Of course I must start with Tim and Anna Shea. Without Anna’s creative mind and brilliant aptitude for combining flavors, Tim’s marketing savvy and both of their incredible knowledge of chocolate, there would not be an Anna Shea Chocolates. Together they laid the foundation that I have been given the privilege to build upon. I thank them both for this opportunity and trusting me with their company.

Albert Schweitzer once said: ”At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
After a major life change in 2007, I found myself looking back over the last 30 years and realizing I had been living someone else’s dream, that my light had gone out. I kept asking myself, what is my dream, what is my passion? What do I want to do that will bring joy to my life? So when my sister Laurel or Dordi as I call her, invited me to spend some time with her in NY I decided to go. The day I walked into Anna Shea Chocolates in Katonah New York, I knew that I found that passion. From that point on things began to fall into place. Along with introducing me to a lot of really good restaurants, my sister introduced me to her best friend, Janet Carrus. During one of our weekly dinners, Janet told me that she wanted to be my partner! I thank her for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to live in a life surrounded by chocolate everyday!

As you all know, the economy was not the best in which to start a new business. During my year of preparing for the retail store opening I had a lot of doubt and fear. During that time, I had the total support and love of my sister, Laurel Lancaster. Her faith in me and my dream was unwavering. In more ways than one, without her, there wouldn’t be an Anna Shea Chocolates. Without her encouragement and her total belief in me I would not be living my dream. There are no words to express the deep appreciation that I feel for the doors she opened and the hours we have spent discussing chocolate!

This first blog posting is really to pay tribute to the people I have already mentioned, but I want to acknowledge the team that keeps Anna Shea Chocolates running smoothly today. Their dedication to the Anna Shea standards, customer service, quality control plus their contagious enthusiasm for the chocolate in general makes each and everyone of them a wonderful asset to the company. For that I am grateful and thankful.

Finally, to my family, Tommy, Lauren, Ashley, Emily and baby Elle, thank you for all you do to help me to keep on track everyday!

It’s a great day at Anna Shea!