Theo's charming & talented Kate was quoted in a recent essay, which is part of an interesting series on Paul Mullin's blog:
Leveraging Seattle’s Innate More-Locally-Conscious-than-Thou Snobbery
The entire Pacific Northwest already embraces the locally-grown movement when it comes to more tangible consumables like cheese, chocolate, wine and beer. Kate Kraay, a local actor and budding playwright, describes her day job working as a tour guide at Theo Chocolates in Fremont, the only bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the United States:
I have to admit that I have had more people stop me on the street and recognize me from Theo than from plays I have been in. But then, it is probably my longest running gig, and it is always a full house. Over the last two years I have worked there, I have seen it grow exponentially, and in a recession to boot.
That’s all quite nice, you may say, but why buy a Theo chocolate bar as a Seattleite, when I can get a grocery checkout line bar for less? For one thing, you are getting a lot less chocolate than you think, as most chocolate bars have lots of lovely fillers in them (hydrogenated trans-fats or wax, anyone?). Theo also uses as many local ingredients as possible. It has become a point of pride for locals, winning awards from London to New York, while being fully invested as part of the community.
Thanks for sharing the link Kate!
Kate in action, giving a factory tour at Theo Chocolate
Comments