Theonistas Unite!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVENTS AT THEO

JANUARY 10, Saturday @ 3–6pm
THE BIG ROAST
Join Caffe Vita and Theo Chocolate as we take you through the roasting of both cacao beans and coffee beans so you can intimately experience how we develop the flavors in both. We will also be celebrating the release of a complex new custom coffee for chocolate lovers and our new coffee-centric confection collection. This event will start at Theo and finish at Caffe Vita on Capitol Hill (round trip transportation will be provided). Every attendee will receive a 6 piece box of our new handmade Theo Chocolate and Caffè Vita confection collaboration.

Cost: $50 (+ tax) per person. *Reservations are required

JANUARY 16, Friday @ 6:30–9:30pm
AN EVENING WITH Evert Sodergren
Please join us for a very special evening with Evert Sodergren, better known as the “dean” of the Pacific Northwest woodworkers, to our retail store to display some of his extraordinary hand crafted furniture. Evert will join us to display and discuss some of his extraordinary hand crafted furniture. Sweet and savory bites will be served.

This event is free, no reservations are required.

JANUARY 23, Friday @ 6:30–9pm
MOVIE NIGHT @ THEO
Join us for a showing of the original 1971 classic film: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder. We will be serving up hot chocolate, popcorn and other special surprises. Be sure to bring your own camping chair, or cushion to sit on, and snuggle up in front of the fire.

Cost: $15 (+ tax) per person. *Reservations are required

JANUARY 28, Wednesday @ 6–9pm
STITCH & SALE
Join us and bring your knitting or crochet project! We’ll provide snacks made with Theo Chocolate and we encourage you to bring your own Theo creation and recipe if you like! Socialize and stock up on select chocolate on sale.

This event is free, no reservations are required

JANUARY 30, Friday @ 6:30–8:30pm
PORT & CHOCOLATE
Come and enjoy port and chocolate by candlelight with Theo and our co-host David LeClaire. This evening will bring a warm glow to your cheeks and tummy as we enjoy 4 styles of this wintry favorite: Ruby, Tawny, Late Bottled Vintage and Vintage paired delectably with Theo treats.

Cost: $40 (+ tax) per person. *Reservations are required

JANUARY 31, Saturday @ 11–4pm
CONFECTION WORKSHOP
Have you been interested in making your own chocolate confections? Come learn with us just in time for Valentine's Day gifting! We are excited to offer you the opportunity to spend the day with Chocolatier, Autumn Martin for a hands-on confection making class.  You will learn how to make ganache, temper chocolate and enrobe the fillings! You will explore different methods for decorating and wrapping your delicious creations and you can take home the fruits of your labor! All materials and a light snack are included. Space is limited so make your reservation soon!

Due to popular demand, there is a 7 day cancellation policy for this event.
Cost: $125 (+ tax) per person. *Reservations are required

FEBRUARY 7, Saturday @ 11–4pm
CONFECTION WORKSHOP
We are offering this popular event two times, just in time for you to learn how to make decadent valentine sweets for your sweetie.

Due to popular demand, there is a 7 day cancellation policy for this event.
Cost: $125 (+ tax) per person. *Reservations are required

Date & Time @ TBA
SEXY SOIREE
Come join us for a very special valentines day celebration in partnership with Babeland, guaranteed to be an exciting evening, stay tuned for more details!
Cost: TBA  *Reservations will be required

FEBRUARY 20, Friday @ 6:30–9pm
MOVIE NIGHT @ THEO
We will be showing the sexy & surreal Mexican film: Like Water for Chocolate. We will be serving up hot chocolate, popcorn and other special surprises. Be sure to bring your own camping chair, or cushion to sit on, and snuggle up in front of the fire.
Cost: $15 (+ tax) per person. *Reservations are required

*To make a reservation, for any of our upcoming events please call us at 206.632.5100. Pre-payment is required to reserve your spot, and please be advised that we need 48 hours notice of cancellation in order for you to receive a full refund (unless otherwise noted).

EVENTS AWAY FROM THE FACTORY

JANUARY 23,24 & 25 Eugene, OR
Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show

JANUARY 24 & 25 Seattle Whole Foods Roosevelt
Customer Appreciation Days

JANUARY 24 & 25 Los Angeles, CA
Go Green Expo

FEBRUARY 4 (6-8pm) Seattle Mario’s 1513 6th Ave. 
Come pamper yourself at this decadent ladies night featuring style & sweets!

FEBRUARY 12 Seattle Whole Foods Roosevelt, Bellevue, Redmond & Westlake
Jane Goodall Passport Events featuring Theo Chocolate

FEBRUARY 14 Woodinville, WA
Join us on Valentine’s Day at the Alexandria Nicole Tasting Room.

FEBRUARY 14 & 15 Prosser, WA
Join us in wine country where Theo chocolate will be featured at Alexandria Nicole Winery.

FEBRUARY 14 & 15 (10am-6pm) Benton City, WA
Sensual flavors and textures of wine and chocolate pair off and create seductive experiences at Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard in Eastern Washington on Valentine's Weekend.

Owners Keith and ReNae Pilgrim host the annual Red Wine and Chocolate Weekend at their winery, often referred to as "the most beautiful in the Northwest". Events during this weekend include the release of 2005 ONYX, Keith Pilgrim's signature Bordeaux blend made exclusively from our world famous Red Mountain vineyards. As a special component this year, Theo's Chocolate of Seattle will be tempting guests while educating them about their blends and unique approach to chocolate.Guests will be invited to "guess" sample chocolates for a chance to enter a drawing to win a bottle of the remarkable new 2005 vintage of ONYX.

WHAT'S NEW?

We are excited to introduce our latest collaboration with Caffé Vita. As a part of celebrating this new relationship, we want you all to know about our BIG ROAST event on January 10th from 3-6pm:

Caffé Vita and Theo Chocolate will take you through the roasting of cacao and coffee so you can intimately experience how flavor develops in the bean. We will also be celebrating the release of a complex new custom coffee for chocolate lovers. We will start out at Theo, and then go to Caffé Vita on Capitol Hill (round trip transportation will be provided). Every attendee will also receive a 6 piece box of our new handmade Theo Chocolate & Caffé Vita “coffee + chocolate = love” confection collaboration.
$50 per person (call 206.632.5100 for reservations)

For all you coffee & chocolate lovers out there, you MUST check out the COFFEE+CHOCOLATE PER MONTH CLUB over at Caffé Vita.

UPCOMING EVENTS at THEO & AWAY

We are thrilled and excited to offer you lots of fabulous fall and wonderful winter events over the next few months.If any of these event appeals to you, be sure and contact us for more information, or to reserve your spot!

NOVEMBER 14 @ 8pm
COZY MOVIE NIGHT
We will be showing the sexy movie, Chocolat, and serving up hot chocolate and snacks. Bring some pillows to curl up by the fire.
$15 per person (call 206.632.5100 for reservations)

NOVEMBER 15 @ 11am
GANACHE DEMONSTRATION
Have you ever wondered what ganache is or how it is made? Then this demonstration is for you! Our head chocolatier Autumn Martin will steward you through the entire process of our ganache making from flavor development to decorating!
$20 per person (call 206.632.5100 for reservations)

NOVEMBER 20 @ 6:30-8pm
WINE & CHOCOLATE
Come and taste amazing wine & chocolate pairings with an innovative approach presented by Pike and Western Wine shop. Please call Pike & Western 206.441.1307 for reservations.
$40 per person

NOVEMBER 22 @ 1-4 pm
NORTHWEST WINE & CHOCOLATE
We will be doing a Theo Chocolate and northwest wine pairing event at Alexandria Nicole Cellars, in Woodinville. Please call 509.786.3497 for more information.

DECEMBER 6 @ 11am-4pm
CONFECTION WORKSHOP
Have you been interested in making your own chocolate confections for holiday gifts or as a treat just for you? We invite you to spend the day with our head chocolatier, Autumn Martin for a hands-on confection making class. You will learn how to make ganache, temper chocolate and enrobe the fillings!  We will explore different methods for decorating and wrapping your delicious creations and you will walk away with the fruits of your labor! All materials and light snacks are included. Space is limited so make your reservation soon!
$125 (call 206.632.5100 for reservations)

DECEMBER 11 @ 6:30-8pm
CHEESE & CHOCOLATE
Who knew? These two decadent foods are complex and wide ranging in flavor profiles but we have discovered some pairings that will inspire sensory shock waves. The experts from Delaurenti’s superb cheese department will help guide us through a revelatory tasting.
$25 per person (call 206.632.5100 for reservations)

DECEMBER 15 @ 6-9pm
THEO SOCIAL & SALE
Theo will be staying open late to accommodate your last minute shopping needs. Come and take advantage of some very special sale prices, while enjoying complimentary samples of our signature sipping chocolate. No reservations necessary, just come on by!

DECEMBER 19 @ 6:30-8pm
PORT & CHOCOLATE
Come and enjoy port and chocolate by candlelight. This evening will bring a warm glow to your cheeks and tummy as we enjoy 4 styles of this wintry favorite: Ruby, Tawny, Late Bottled Vintage and Vintage.
$40 per person (call 206.632.5100 for reservations)

JANUARY 3 @ TBA
THE BIG ROAST
Caffe Vita and Theo Chocolate will take you through the roasting of cacao and coffee so you can intimately experience how flavor develops in the bean. We will also be celebrating the release of a complex new custom coffee. Details still evolving but SAVE THE DATE for this unique insider experience.

EVENTS AWAY FROM THE FACTORY

OCTOBER 25th & 26th
Tricks, Treats and Science Feats
Pacific Science Center • Seattle, WA

NOVEMBER 1st
Vegetarian Food Festival
Reggie Lewis Athletic Center • Boston, MA

NOVEMBER 5th
Seductive Chocolate Supper Cooking Class
Whole Foods Roosevelt Square • Seattle, WA

NOVEMBER 8th & 9th
Green Festival
Washington DC Convention Center • Washington DC

NOVEMBER 8th, 9th & 10th
Chocolate Show
Pier 94 • NYC

NOVEMBER 14th,15th & 16th
Green Festival
SF Concourse Exhibition Center• San Francisco, CA

DECEMBER 13th
Eco Gift Expo
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium • Santa Monica, CA

NEW CHOCOLATE UNIVERSITY CLASSES

For all of you who have graduated from our first 3 sections of Chocolate University. We are excited to announce the new advanced series. Are you ready to take it to the next level?

Chocolate 301
The History of Chocolate
From Currency and Conquest to Sweet Confection
Hosted by Dr Kristy Leissle
October 9th, 6-8pm

In their various uses across cultures and time, cocoa and chocolate have had a long, spicy, and oftentimes turbulent history. We begin our discussion with the Latin American origins of cocoa as a food and its various uses in Mayan and Aztec culture, including its role in conquest and ritual. We then investigate chocolate's introduction and adoption into European cuisine and the dramatic changes in chocolate manufacture and trade that accompanied rising European demand, which led to many of the confection styles and flavorings we still enjoy today.

Chocolate 302
Focus on West Africa
The Culture of Chocolate among Cocoa Farmers
Hosted by Dr Kristy Leissle
October 22nd, 6-8pm

With origin bars from Ghana and Ivory Coast, Theo celebrates the importance of West Africa to the chocolate industry. As the world's largest cocoa producing region, West Africa has a vibrant culture and politics around cocoa and chocolate. We examine cocoa's introduction to Ghana and that country's incredible rise in production, as well as present-day cocoa husbandry in the region, including women's important roles in farming. Our discussion then explores the fascinating cultural meanings of chocolate in Ghana and its role as a food among the farmers who grow so much of our cocoa.

Contact us for more information, or to register.

 
Coming Soon! FALL CHOCOLATE CLASSES
Chocolatier Autumn Martin will be teaching some "chocolate how-to" classes this Fall/Winter. Please stay tuned for the schedule in our next newsletter.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Seattle Food Examiner did a write up of our upcoming Chocolate University series. Going back to school never tasted so good!

Chocolate and Wine Pairing Notes from the PCC Fremont Tasting

Our intrepid Chief Brand Ambassador Pamela Hinckley joined with PCC Wine Gurus Robert and Stephen at  PCC Fremont last night for a night of decadent pairings. Here are the specific pairings for you to try out at home:

• COCONUT CURRY with Cor Riesling - off dry with peach, pear, apricot and honeysuckle 
• FIG FENNEL with Ridge Zinfandel - dry but fruit-forward red wine
  
  
• CHAI with Marchesi di Gresy Moscato D’Asti - mildly sparkling with floral, honey and citrus aromas, slightly sweet
  
  
• NIB BRITTLE with Muscat Beaumes de Venice - sweet white dessert wine with peach, apricot melon and citrus flavors
   
• COCONUT CURRY with Cor Riesling -off dry with peach, pear, apricot and honeysuckle

• MADAGASCAR with Lopez Island Raspberry wine.

• BREAD AND CHOCOLATE with Lustau Oloroso dry sherry- toasted walnut and hazelnut aromas
  
  
• CARDAMON CARAMEL with Warres TawnyPort 10yr - a lighter Port, a bit sweet, with nuts and caramel aromas - served slightly chilled
  
  
• VANILLA GANACHE with Mas Amiel- similar to a ruby port but with cocoa, plum and anise flavors

A Video Clip from Go Green Expo NY with Theonista Debra Music

Here is a video clip from CW11 News in New York. It is a spot on Go Green Expo, which was this past weekend. Deb tells us the show was just packed, with five people deep waiting to get a taste of Theo Chocolate. It's nice to be popular!

A Decadent FREE Event at Theo May 8

Join us Thursday May 8 from 6-8pm at Theo Chocolate for a night of relaxation and joy! We will be sampling a decadent selection of organic chocolates and rejuvenating Choice organic teas, serenaded by a string quartet. Enjoy a complementary Ayurvedic mini hand massage with Sweet Beauty chocolate lotion or purchase a Two-Person Ayurvedic Warm Oil Massage or Chocolate Body Scrub Treatment for a deeper indulgence. Follow your bliss with a chocolate meditation at 7pm. The party continues across the street at Life in Balance.

Theo Chocolate, Life in Balance, Choice Tea & Sweet Beauty Present:
A Taste of Bliss
Thursday, May 8 6-8pm
Chocolate Meditation 7pm
Free Event, No reservations required

New Circus Contraption Show RusnMay 16- June 22

Oh Boy! The circus is back in town!

"Circus Contraption, Seattle's premiere one-ring traveling circus, crowns its 10th year with its first full-length production sing "The Grand American Dime Museum."  The humbly-titled "Show to End All Shows" presents a traditional American circus as it romps joyfully toward oblivion.  Featured are Pink Poodle-Girls, a ball-balancing Seal Boy, a Real Mermaid and, as always, an original, live musical score by the incredible Circus Contraption Band." Tickets are $25 through Brown Paper Tickets. The show will be performed here at the Factory on the Canal St side of the building. Erin and Lara  will be tempting us with podcasts until the big show begins.

Tune in:

Podcast1
Podcast 2

Bambootique Trunkshow in Tualatin - Free Chocolate!

Beth and Tammy of Bambootique are hosting a Spring Trunk Sale Saturday May 3rd from 10am-4pm - which is wonderful in and of itself, but what's more, they are offering a free Theo chocolate bar to every new customer! Yummeh. Shopping a Sale + Fair Trade + Free Chocolate = PERFECT SATURDAY! Please contact Beth to be added to the mailing list and receive directions to the sale.

Eat Local Now! Dinner and Celebration

Tuesday, April 29th

Join Sustainable Ballard, BALLE Seattle, and Ballard High School (Go Beavers!) Earth Service Corps for the Fifth Annual Eat Local Now! Dinner. Speakers include local farmers affected by flooding, and a Silent Auction will benefit a local farmer emergency relief fund. Tickets and more info available here.

Theo Chocolate and selfcentered join forces for chocolate meditation

Max Simon, visionary behind the selfcentered meditation tour - with such diverse events and programs as the PDM - public display of meditation and "Musitations" CD brings the world a fabulous new concept - The Chocolate Meditation! We had Max here at the factory a while back and he took us through the chocolate meditation and now he is offering ongoing chocolate focused meditations both in LA and in his travels. We look forward to another chocolate meditation sometime in June - I will keep you posted. You can check out the selfcentered blog here. And here are some selfcentered videos to put a smile on your face:

The PDM

It's Not What You Think

Greenfest, Green Power, and FREE THEO CHOCOLATE!

Be sure and stop by our booth at Seattle Greenfest this weekend! Greenfest has much to offer, including a swap-o-rama clothing swap booth and free electronics recycling courtesy of 3R technology (laptops, PDAs, cellphones, CDs, & household batteries - no CRTs)

What's greener than that you might ask? Stop by the Seattle City Light or Puget Sound Energy booth and get free Theo Chocolate for signing up with their green energy programs. By buying renewable energy credits, you are offsetting the costs associated with adding more green energy sources to the local grid, offsetting your carbon footprint, and making an environmental(reducing carbon  dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury, and particulate matter) and social impact. Who knew as little as $3 a month could make such a big difference? What am I, Sally Struthers? No, but seriously, it's nice to see how big a change we can make by ganging up together to be a force for green. Tacoma Power is also giving Theo for signing up for RECs but will not be attending Greenfest. Below are links to sign up on their respective websites

Must See Theatre: The Food Folly Follies starring actress/nutritionist Abil Bradshaw

 Nutritionist and Actress Abil Bradshaw is on a mission to change the way people think about food. “The Food Folly Follies” is the brainchild of Abil Bradshaw, a graduate of Bastyr University. The show serves up super-sized helpings of cultural commentary through a smörgåsbord of colorful characters from the crock-pot mind of an actress with a Masters in Nutrition. Her characters include a cave woman, a rural Texas native, a Nurse's Aid, a story-teller, and a Snake Oil Salesman. The larger than life real character, Abil, drawing on her Masters degree in Nutrition, will spend the second half of the show fielding questions from the audience about diet and nutrition.

Abil will also be talking to Tom Douglas and Theirry Rautureau on their radio program this saturday on “In the Kitchen with Tom and Thierry” from 5:45 until 6:00pm. The segment is called, “What’s Your Special?” Abil will discuss her lead character’s favorite pastime, foraging for beautiful,nutritious foods and share her favorite nettle recipes and tell you why wild foods are so good for us. Don’t miss it!

Theonistas Go Hawaiian!

Join Theonistas Steve and Autumn(our chief chocolatier) at the Kona Chocolate Festival for some amazing demos and samples, including a special chocolate & wine tasting. Yummmm. March 27-29th at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay. Aloha!

Wine Rocks! A Benefit for The Vera Project 3/27/08

Looking for a locally grown good time? Check out this event! Enjoy Washington wines, Theo Chocolate, Salumi cured meats, and Beecher's Cheese, while enjoying the musical stylings of some of Washington's finest vintners/musicians. I can make no guarantees as to the quality of the tunes, but the food and wine will be tasty! This event benefits the Vera Project.

There will be two "seatings" - a 6 o'clock and a 9 o'clock, tickets are $35 and are available here.

Expo West: Operation Anaheim

If you are you going to be visiting Natural Foods Expo West in lovely Anaheim, CA next week, be sure and look for Theo Chocolate, amazing & talented superstar Zaara of Kittenchops has made us a beautiful hand painted backdrop for our booth[# 4573 map here]. It is so gorgeous! But that is definitely not the only reason to visit. We will have lots of delicious samples, including brand new Hazelnut Crunch and Award Winning Fig, Fennel & Almond. See you there!

Fresh Truffle Fridays and Weekend Pain au Chocolat

Our lovely and talented chocolatier, Autumn Martin, has introduced two new weekend-only products: Fresh hand rolled Truffles, and Pain au Chocolat.

Our hand rolled truffles are rustic little nuggets of pure chocolate joy!These tiny treasures go by the pound, and are made in limited quantity every Friday. Stop by and try one, I'm sure you will be delighted!

Our other weekend offering is a classic Pain au Chocolat - shaved chocolate sandwiched in a hearty Tall Grass Bakery baguette - just warm it up in the oven and serve! A perfect sweet snack with a big cup of Cafe au Lait. We wanted to share with the world our inspiration for the Bread & Chocolate 3400 Phinney Bar. This is just the thing to take home to relax with after the Fremont Sunday Market! Mmm, and a Sunday paper, and a warm spot in the sunshine.... Ahhhh Sunday...... ZZZzzzzzzzz....

Belle Debauche - A(n A)rousing Success!

Belle Debauche was a wonderful night of wicked wonderment. Your humble blogger worked tirelessly through the night, aiding photographer John Cornicello with the photo booth. You can see all the photos here on our flickr page. If you didn't make it to this event, I highly reccommend you check out the next Circus Contraption event - "The Show to End All Shows" which begins its run this May.

Union Square Grill has gone Cocoa Crazy for February

February is generally considered to be 'Open Season' on all things of a chocolate nature, and Union Square Grill has truly taken to heart with a series of tastings, meals, and special recipes dedicated to our favorite food group! The highlight of this month of cocoa creativity will be a special 5 course dinner on on Thursday, February 28th at 7:30 pm (reservations required: 206.224.4321) Check out their site for more info.

Join Theo & Circus Contraption for 'Belle Debauche' - A Valentine's Event!

Join Us Valentine's day, February 14th for "Belle Debauche" Doors open at 8pm

A feast for the senses featuring luscious oysters, mouth-watering chocolate concoctions, tantalizing aerial and acrobatic performance, live music, dancing, and secret erotic surprises that will delight your imagination and ignite your passion.

Bring your sweetie or find one here!

21 & Over

Tickets are $65 advance, $75 at the door, and include food and all performances.

Tickets are available at: http://www.brownpaperticket.com or at the Theo Store.

I'll see you there!
Smooches,
Kiki

Theo Chocolate, Proud to be Sundance Green Bag Swag

Check us out! We are in the eco-green swagbag this year at Sundance! And in such good company too! I hear these bags are coveted - I mean, it comes with a skateboard?! Who wouldn't want that. And lots and lots of other goodies too. In fact, I contemplated circling our wee giftie in the large version of this image just so's you wouldn't miss it.

Gearing up for the Fancy Food Show in San Diego

You know it as the "Preparation for Battle Scene" in the movies - the music gets all dark and serious and militant, a series of cut shots of serious people doing serious things in a serious way (polishing axes, training in kung fu, determined shoe shopping) suggesting the passage of time spent getting ready for whatever final finality waits at the end of the film - that's what Theo HQ is like this week as we prepare for the Fancy Food Show. Except, you know, with chocolate. And less kung fu. The show runs this Sunday through Tuesday, if you're going, be sure and stop by for chocolaty reinforcements, for whatever lies ahead (possibly ninjas)!

Tilth Retaurant featuring Theo Hot Chocolate for January

Maria’s New Year’s Message « The Tilth Blog. A very delicious New Year message from Maria of Tilth Restaurant

Love from the Eco-Gift Show

Big thanks to Siel of Emerald City and green LA girl for her lovely mention on our booth at the Eco Gift Show.

UNSCENE Launch Party Dec 8th

Join us at HAVANA Saturday, December 8th, for a fabulous party to celebrate a new release of the UNSCENE "Urban Navigator" maps to independent businesses in the Seattle area. Full details here. There will be food, drink, and exciting prizes. What could be better?

Join us at Eco Gift Expo December 15th & 16th

We look forward to seeing some fellow Theonistas at the Eco Gift Expo next month in Santa Monica. We will be at booth 101with all of our lovely holiday items for sale as well as individual bars to recharge your engines on the go, and of course, many tasty samples!

Wine, Chocolate, & Fashion - "A Holiday Romp"

Tomorrow night, Thursday, November 29th,  a fabulous fete combining many of my personal favorite things will be taking place at the Columbia City Theater. "A Holiday Romp" will include wines from the "Vine Vixens" at Kestral Vintners, Theo Chocolate samples, and Sweet Beauty product demos to warm your cockles, and a fashion show featuring  designer Kim McCormick of Kimmi and Cicada, and boutiques Cicada Bridal, The Frock Shop, and Anadaluz. Did I mention that the models are burlesque dancers? Whew! Sounds like a great night out.

Seattle Food & Wine Show!

It's day one of the Seattle Food & Wine Show. If you're thinking of checking it out, be sure to find us for some samples! Looks like a ticket to the Food & Wine Show gets you into the Christmas show as well, if that's your bag. (Ho, Ho, Ho...)

Seattle Urban Red Wine & Chocolate Tour

What a great day trip! Bon Vivant wine tours takes you to five local wineries and to Theo for a factory tour. I can't think of a better way to spend a chilly Saturday!

Focus on Farming Conference IV: From Soils to Sales

We will be providing some of our excellent confections to the Focus on Farming Conference this year. It's going to be an amazing forum for members of the local farming community to focus on some issues close to our hearts, such as creating a successful CSA, using bio-energy sources and growing bio-energy crops, reclaimed water, & organic certification for the small farmer. Keynote speakers include Dr. Fred Kirschenmann, of the Iowa State University's Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Cool Hunted at the Chocolate Show!

The Cool Kids over at Coolhunting.com gave us a nice little writeup in their New York Chocolate Show post. I always thought we were pretty cool. Now I have proof.

Awesome Photos from the Chocolate Show

Check out this awesome collection of photos from the New York Chocolate Show! This image, of course, is my favorite, but the Chocolate Pony has to come in a close second.

Chocolate: The Exhibition - on Tour

Chocolate:The Exhibition is on tour from the Chicago Field Museum. It will be here Seattle in '09 - I can't believe they are making us wait so long! In the meantime, check out their extremely fun and informative website. It is chock full of information, and has some wonderful educational interactive tools. Here is the upcoming schedule, perhaps it is visiting your town soon?

2008	February 9 - May 4, 2008	Great Lakes Science Center Cleveland, OH
	May 31 - September 7, 2008	Henry Ford Museum Dearborn, MI
	October 4, 2008 - January 5, 2009	Indiana State Museum Indianapolis, IN
2009	January 31 - April 26, 2009	Pacific Science Center Seattle, WA
	May 23 - September 6, 2009	North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Raleigh, NC
	October 3, 2009 - January 3, 2010	Union Station Kansas City Kansas City, MO
2010	January 30 - April 25, 2010	Memphis Museums Memphis, TN
	May 22 - September 5, 2010	Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History Norman, OK

Gearing up for the Chocolate Show in New York

Our crack team of chocolate-ologists are gearing up to head to New York City for the yearly Chocolate Show. Please come visit this weekend! We are at Booth #49. Emily Stone blogs about it here in Serious Eats. 

Crave Show Seattle

Big thanks to everyone we met at the Crave Show at Seattle Center this weekend! We had a nice time meeting people, handing out lots of yummy samples, and enjoying the other exhibitors wares as well. Here is a picture I took of Deb setting up the booth on Saturday.

Reverse Trick or Treat

Our Reverse Trick or Treat was a grand success, and we loved having the opportunity to spread the word about Fair Trade and surprise and delight moms and dads with a little more "Treat" in return for their Halloween generosity this year. Our "kids in the field" reported that parents were completely taken aback at the reverse gifting, and responded enthusiastically to the Fair Trade message. Big thanks go out to Global Exchange for spearheading this amazing movement, and the Washington Fair Trade Coalition for their support (Thanks Stephanie!) We can't wait to participate again next year and reach out to even more people. Thanks to everyone who participated near and far, and all the bloggers out there spreading the good word.

Circus Contraption's Haunted Housewarming

Join us tonight at the factory for a fabulous night of spooky entertainment with Circus Contraption and special guests.

Theo Chocolate Wins Gold at Fancy Food Show

We Won!!!
We are so proud to announce our gold SOFI from the NASFT Fancy Food Show this year! It is especially an honor as such a young company to receive recognition among our peers.

David Lebovitz Visits the Chocolate Factory

Here's a little love story from
World Famous Dessert Aficionado David Lebovitz. Our Theonistas had a rollicking good time sampling chocolate and chatting up David, who was wrapping up his book tour and heading home to the sweet life in Paris.