Just Another Gal Running the Show

Did you know Toronto has a beach? CONDO CITY has a beach! A breath taking waterfront boardwalk and no, I am not talking about Harbourfront. I recently trekked to the Beaches to visit a new quaint and cozy chocolate shop that just opened up in theBeaches. Although Chocolate by Wickerhead is new to the area, it is actually the return of long time resident and business owner Sharon Shoot. Thank heaven she’s returned with ‘oh my god’ truffles and moist creamy fillings. Welcome home, Sharon.

Sharon is running a one-woman show with a smile on her face. She literally does everything. She laughs when she tells me, “Iam the one who makes the chocolates, cleans the windows and washes the dishes”. Sounds just like an average day in being a female. I like to think all females multitask atall times or maybe its just me? I am astonished when my man just cooks dinner. I cook dinner, do dishes, make lunch, clean the floor, all while talking on the phone. And don't burn a thing, thank you very much! So when Sharon tells me she's just another female running the entire show, it makes me smile.

Entering Sharon's shop is like a warm hug, she is inviting and delightfulmuch like her chocolates. Kind of like that Mother you always wish you had. Within moments of meeting me she hands me a plate of chocolates. Every time we start discussing another chocolate of hers, she smiles and asks, "want to try?" Is that even a question? Her flavours are better than a cup of coffee to awaken the senses. And that says a lot coming from this caffeine crazed gal. Sharon worked with chocolate corporately for years and is known famously for her Belgian chocolate covered popcorn. It has been referred to as ‘crack popcorn’. But when the opportunity to start her own chocolate store landed in her lap, she jumped at the chance. “It’s perfect, it’s charming and it’s in the right area. This part of the city is very artisan, so people are much more open to trying things that are handmade and paying for it,” says Sharon.

This chocolatier still sells her ‘crack’ chocolate popcorn, but also a wide selection of delicate and mouth-watering truffles and chocolate bars. If you think Sharon’s popcorn is addictive just wait until you try her Wild Flower Honey and Passion Fruit chocolate. Sharon’s friend owns a bee farm, so she decided to design a chocolate around her wild flower honey. Sometimes passion fruit on its own can be too tart but with the mix of honey it’s like a creamy fruit smoothie. The honey mixed with the passion fruit is the perfect balance in flavour. The more refined connoisseur will utter a gasp at the Bowmore single malt scotch with it’s delicate on the tongue vintage scotch filling. Sharon uses mostly Belgian chocolate but she also uses single origin chocolate “Which is very up and coming in the chocolate world,” says Sharon for its intense flavour. Think wine regions and the distinct flavour for each winery in the region.

Like a fine wine her chocolate is building a following. It seems that even teenage boys have been taken a liking to Sharon’s fine chocolates. “I have a lot of kids from school coming in, especially teenage boys. It’s really great they have gotten to know the difference in flavours and tastes of fine chocolate.” If you think Sharon’s chocolate following is Zen-like then you should try her solid Belgian chocolate Buddha.

OOMPA LOOMPA DOOMPADEE DOO

I'VE GOT A PERFECT PUZZLE FOR YOU …..

Was Roald Dahl, the author of the famous book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory really racist? His depiction of the 'Oopa Loompas' created a storm of controversy that the original book was revised and the movie script was rewritten to provide viewers with a more 'politically correct' version of these loveable workers. The book paints a picture of Willy Wonka's helpers as African pygmies, working for a wage of cacao beans and singing songs in a war-like daze. Whereas the movie version, changes their dark skin to orange and dyes their hair green. But it is interesting to note that Roald Dahl's Oopa Loompa's are almost portrayed as angels in comparison to the little white children with all of their obvious greedy flaws. Perhaps, his Oopa Loompas, originally depicted as African pygmies, was simply an attempt to inform his readers of the slavery and trade issues surrounding chocolate? Now that's something to chew on.

Chocolate Yoga

Food and fitness are essentially my yin and yang. The peanut butter to my jelly time. My mantra if you will. So, when I was asked to cover a chocolate yoga class I jumped at the opportunity. But I had no idea what to expect. Maybe some sun salutations followed by a chocolate fountain? Or perhaps Supta Matsyendrasana chocoholic-a?. Maybe the whole thing will be in 'mountain pose' as I eat a chocolate bar. The formal description of the class reads, 'Here bliss is caught rather than taught, activated rather than cultivated. The magic anandamide carpet ride is in the first posture and the last'. O.K. now I really don't know what is going to happen in this studio. Expectations set aside, I grabbed my trusty yoga matt and made my way to Downward Dog on Queen.

I always find the first two minutes of a new yoga class to be a little awkward. You have your die hard yogi's showing off their new mastered one handed handstands, the zen-like meditators and the standard savasana dead corpse group. But start off a yoga class by passing a bucket of chocolate samples around the room and something special happens. Sun salutations turn into improvised dance, giggles turn into full out laughter and those once intimidating yogi's are giving you insider tips on how to hold that handstand. Maybe it was the chocolate. Raw, organic, forest grown, whole cacao artisan chocolate that is. Or the instructor, Ron Obadia with his infectious smile and refreshing, light hearted 'I don't take myself too seriously' approach to yoga and life for that matter. (Which in a yogi is hard to come by these days.) But by the third passing of the chocolate bucket the kid was brought out in all of us. The chocolate got us giddy- yogi steam rolling? Why not. Gibberish conversations with no one in particular? Sure. I am not going to lie, I had a few wtf moments. Ron said, "It's not a great yoga class unless atleast three people walk out." Thankfully everyone stayed but truth be told there were more than a few exchanges of eyebrows throughout the practice. Normally broken by laughter. But Ron is definitely on to something. The cacao opens up your mind willingly to silliness and give you the energy to get deep down into those strenuous poses. It even encourages you to give it a go on those extra hard postures you weren't so sure about before. AND you get to eat chocolate. But don't take my word for it. Check it out yourself.

Your chocolate yogi,

Hillary

A Day in the Life of a Chocolate Reporter

So, when I tell people about my job I get a lot of blank stares. “You mean, you take photos of chocolates all day?” And report about them, yes. Believe me it’s not all fun and games. There are days where I get hung up on. The classic telemarketer response comes to mind, we are not interested. I am not a telemarketer thank you very much and it’s free advertising for your company. Welcome to the 21^st century geez! I shouldn’t have to sell the concept, but there are days where I am selling the concept. Again, free advertising. But enough of the Debbie downer. Believe me I am counting my blessings. Who doesn’t love chocolates. Looking at it, talking about it, eating it. It’s a happy business. Who wouldn’t be happy working with chocolate all day. I am stuffed with truffles of a variety of flavours from the traditional to the all out wacky. (see the meat chocolate movement). So, essentially I have kicked my gym workings into overdrive and besides a lovely chocolatier at Simone Marie Belgium Chocolate told me chocolate doesn’t make you fat. Lord gotta love her! It’s an exciting and fast paced project. I am illuminated working on it from the ground up and seeing it grow. In this media savvy world, you are no body without an iphone app. And thank heaven, otherwise I would be out of work

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Money Really Does Grow On Trees

I seem to have a knack for killing plants. That green thumb of my mothers never quite passed down to me. However, I do have one plant that is flourishing- my money tree! It's still growing, not like the orchid that shrivelled up and retreated from my house. This money tree got me thinking... does money grow on trees. Well I am happy to report it does! Well, it did. Cacao beans were once used as currency by the Aztecs and Mayans. These golden coins, grow in the cacao pods, that are the fruit of the cacao tree. So, money really does grow on trees! When Christopher Columbus first explored the Honduran Coast and took some cacao beans as souvenirs, he had no idea what they were. When a few spilled out of his pocket, a few of the Native Mayans eyes widened and made a quick grab for the beans. I am sure this seemed like an odd thing to do at the time. But it would have been the equivalent of throwing $20 bills into a city street. You better believe I would be all over that.

So, it's settled. Money really does grow on trees. Just not in North America. I wonder what would happen if I paid for my morning coffee, confidently with a handful of cacao beans?

Old Country Charm

Had a lovely interview with two chatty old gals from Old Country Gift Shop in Roncesvalles on Friday. The two German sisters were the classic European Grandmother with their, "Eat, eat, your so skinny" and "Oh, you young people!" sayings. Don't let their age fool you, they had the vigour and whit of a young buck! The store has had some trouble with the construction woahs of the Roncey neighbourhood and I was more than happy to chat with these ladies and cover their store that has been around for 51 years. Its sort of an old ball of sorts but holds some European treasures in the form of gold bars. I won't bore you with the 50 syllable German names but the SCH-KA-KOLA stands alone. If your sensitive to caffeine turn away now. This European gem is a chocolate with a kick. Consider it the Red Bull of the chocolate world. It takes the natural caffeine from cocoa, coffee, and cola nut extract to give you energy and keep you awake. (I can see my faithful friends rolling their eyes). But seriously, after a long day of teaching dance today and the usual mid afternoon yaws that come with working 7 days a week (don't ask) I had two pieces and IT WORKED like a charm! The same effect of an espresso but without that harsh acid of a coffee. I certainly am not recommending this for everyone. There is a label on the tin, 'not for children or the elderly' that is slightly disconcerting. Not to mention the fact there probably is a good reason it isn't sold in Canada. Guh. Anywho.. checked it out online didn't find any major warnings lol. Check it out here: www.germandeli.com/4001743034013.html But of course go and see my gals, Helga and Karin at Old Country Gift Shop to pick up a tin if you are looking for a little boost. Nurses on the night shift swear by it.

OK where were we… Awe, yes- Old Country Gift Shop. Hear are some random, only blog worthy highlights from my interview. I love having chats with those wiser beyond my years. I am of the belief they have so much to teach us and are great observers of 'young people today'. But every now and again they can say something that makes me go wtf? So, we are chatting about the hand painted German wooden easter eggs in the store. And Helga says, "You can fill them with chocolates or pantyhose. " Huh? Who puts pantyhose inside easter eggs? Pure journalistic gold! OR the story they told me about the mother who came in with her son who, "didn't want to go to his party. He was having party troubles. So she bought him some of their chocolate covered figurines. And it worked." Now I am confused. What are they talking about? Party troubles? This little boy doesn't like to go to birthday parties. What is going on? They continue, "And the boy is now big and he still comes to the store today. They call him mister potty". Oh, potty! He was having potty troubles! Toilet training. And the mother used their chocolate to potty train the little boy. Ew. I think this is something that comes with age, talking freely about the private porcelain. Anyways, they begin describing how they often see four generations literally grow up with their store and their chocolate. I continue to get some great and useable stories (thank you very much) out of them and the article writes itself. I will be going back soon when my espresso crack chocolate runs out. I hope this has in some way intrigued you to do the same. They also sell beautiful hand crafted 'jumping jack' toys for children, Babushkas and real German beer steins that are nothing short of beautiful. Please support local and family run businesses. I will leave you with a great quote from Helga, "I say thank you so many times in a day I have lost count. You just don't get that anymore." Agreed.

Get Inspired

Inspiration can come in the oddest of places. Sometimes from that thing someone says in passing, an outrageous hair do or a classic canadian radio host. I wake up every morning to CBC radio one. I love, love, love talk radio.Well not all talk radio, sports and me never really got along. O.K. I know this makes me a huge nerd but I love me some CBC. So, when I met someone who's inspiration for chocolate was Andy Barry I knew immediately we were kindred spirits of the Anne of Green Gables variety. Leyla, owner of Art Square Gallery and Cafe moved to Canada from Istanbul and first started listening to CBC to get a sense of Canadian culture and help improve her English. Her love and devotion grew from there. She confessed, "We are kind of addicted to CBC". For anyone who listens to the same individual, daily, talk about culture, politics, and your city you start to befriend that person. I know I sound crazy but hear me out. For Leyla and I, Andy Barry is and sadly was that person you trust for your information every morning. And of course also someone you admire. "I like Andy Barry. He makes us laugh and sometimes cry." Leyla was so inspired by Andy, she made a truffle in his honour. She named her vodka, pure lemon oil and roasted lemon truffle the 'Andy Barry'. She even went to his farewell party with her daughter and brought him some personally.

Below: the Andy Barry.

Leyla has other truffles named after people who inspire her, the Sara Diamond (the President of neighboring OCAD) for her bubbly and curly hair- like champagne. See below:

Or the Frank Gehry, who despite what some people may think is actually born in Canada. So Leyla made sure to let people know it, with a classic Canadian chocolate pairing of maple syrup and organic Ontario wine. There a story behind most chocolates and I am beginning to learn behind most of the chocolatiers as well. Suddenly, I am getting a hankering for some chocolate with my morning talk radio.