Celebrating Chocolate
By Professor Jennifer Woolley, PhD | Faculty Director MS Entrepreneurship-Global Innovation | Santa Clara University
You may not realize it, but San Francisco Chocolate Week is here! What is it? A ten day celebration of all things cocoa! Although the workshops and tours that take place during the week are pretty exciting, the best part is the SF Chocolate Salon on Sunday March 15th. Check out some of the fun and flavorful events happening during SF Chocolate Week.
EVENTS:
Chocolate tasting at The Chocolate Garage – March 14th, 9am-1pm
654 Gilman St, Palo Alto (650) 603-0824
The Chocolate Garage carefully curates the finest selection of ethically sourced, bean-to-bar chocolate from around the world. Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings they offer a free sampling of six chocolates. Countless others are also available for purchase, including some that you can’t get anywhere else. Beware of the Momotombo Chocolate Covered Seeds (cacao seeds that is), Chocolate Bonnat, Dick Taylor, and the exclusive CG creations from Patric.
Amano – Meet your Maker at Sixth Course– March 14th
1544 15th Street, San Francisco
Meet Art Pollard, the co-founder and chief chocolate maker at Amano Chocolate. Amano specializes in single origin chocolates without compromise. While you are there, enjoy some of Sixth Course’s award winning caramels (Sage and Brown Butter anyone?).
Michael Kalanty Croissant Workshop - March 14th, 11am
Draeger’s Cooking School, 222 East Fourth Avenue, San Mateo
Michael Kalanty shows how to make Classic Butter Croissants and Chocolate-Filled Croissants. Kalanty is Craft Bread Instructor at International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California.
SF Chocolate Salon from March 15th, 10-6pm
Fort Mason Conference Center Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco
55,000 square feet of chocolate heaven! Meet over 20 chocolate makers and chocolatiers while tasking their latest creations. They are joined by about a dozen wineries and breweries as well as many local confectioners, bakeries, and restaurants. You won’t leave hungry.
Caramel and Chocolate Confections – March 21st, 1pm
Feve Chocolates 2210 Keith St., San Francisco
Shawn Williams shares the art of making caramel and chocolate confections. Shawn Williams is owner of Feve Chocolates which has won Gold and Silver awards at The Chocolate Salon and has been recipient of the Good Food Award for three years in row.
Chocolate Workshop with Rachel Dunn – ongoing
1021 Detroit Avenue, Concord
Hands-on chocolate workshop where you’ll make your very own delicious American and French chocolates with acclaimed Chocolatier Rachel Dunn!
San Francisco Gourmet Chocolate Tour
(Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at 10:30am; Saturday at 2pm)
The 1.5 mile, three hour walking tour takes you to seven local chocolate makers and shops where you sample the latest delights while discussing history and current trends. Chocolate Week is 15% off.
Even if you can’t make it to the events, visit some of the craft chocolate makers in our very own backyard.
Chocolate, gelato, and coffee in one place. If you are looking for something fun, try The Rob Stark- spiced drinking chocolate, espresso, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle. They also offer a range of bar, caramels, and sauces.
191 E Campbell Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
(408)466-4023
Dandelion specializes in single origin chocolate that they carefully source, process and produce themselves. Their “Break Bar” is simply too gorgeous to eat. Check out the flight of brownies made with three different chocolates. Two locations: Mission District café and the Ferry Building kiosk. The Mission District is where chocolate is actually made and you can take part in free tours.
740 Valencia St (at 18th)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 349-0942
San Francisco mainstay moves to Berkeley! The new digs are ALMOST open to the public for tours, as are their new concoctions. I will let you be surprised. If you need a quick fix, head to your nearest Peet’s for the TCHO Chocolate Cake.
3100 San Pablo Ave. Suite 170
Berkeley, CA 94702
Jamaican Origin Chocolate – oh my. The owner works with a coop of small farmers to support the development of cacao on the island. They offer small tours and tastings at their factory. Be sure to call ahead.
1552 Beach Street Unit L
Oakland, CA 94608
510 545-CHOC (2462)
Just the intricately beautiful design of the bar alone is worth it.
4 West 4th Street
Eureka, CA 95501
707.798.6010
