A lot of really good things came out of my decision to do online schooling through Ecole Chocolat: I learned the history of chocolate and am now full of fun facts, I learned how to properly taste chocolate (and will soon take a course in mastering flavor to up my game!), I learned how to properly temper and mold chocolates, and I discovered a business owned by fellow graduates called The Chocolate Lab.
For quite a while I drooled over every social media post and every perfectly executed photo of their insanely detailed bonbons, just waiting for the day I'd visit their part of Canada so I could get my hands on some. But as luck would have it, right around my birthday one year, a friend of mine was visiting Calgary, Alberta and his hotel just happened to be mere minutes away from the shop. So, of course, I begged him to pick up a selection of chocolates and haul them back to the states for me so I could finally taste the little beauties for myself!
When they made their way to me and I opened the box for the first time, I quickly realized that they were selling more than just chocolates, they were selling an entire experience. The packaging, the detail of the bon bons, the flavor combinations and the quality of the chocolate...this wasn't something to eat in one bite and forget about a day later. No, this was something to be savored from start to finish. In fact, these chocolates required the need to establish a ritual around eating them. So with each one, I cut it in half with my sharpest paring knife to get a good view of any layers inside. Any true chocolate-obsessed little foodie loves a good cross section, right?! And then, after I cut them and examined them, I ate one half myself and gave the other half to my partner. I ate my half slowly and really let myself explore each flavor combination. And above all, I stuck to one piece per day so I wouldn't run out right away.
Fast forward to Christmas that year when I'd realized I was spending it in Canada and could ask my partner to have a box shipped to us for Christmas. And, to my surprise, received a couple of bars to go with my order!
For quite a while I drooled over every social media post and every perfectly executed photo of their insanely detailed bonbons, just waiting for the day I'd visit their part of Canada so I could get my hands on some. But as luck would have it, right around my birthday one year, a friend of mine was visiting Calgary, Alberta and his hotel just happened to be mere minutes away from the shop. So, of course, I begged him to pick up a selection of chocolates and haul them back to the states for me so I could finally taste the little beauties for myself!
When they made their way to me and I opened the box for the first time, I quickly realized that they were selling more than just chocolates, they were selling an entire experience. The packaging, the detail of the bon bons, the flavor combinations and the quality of the chocolate...this wasn't something to eat in one bite and forget about a day later. No, this was something to be savored from start to finish. In fact, these chocolates required the need to establish a ritual around eating them. So with each one, I cut it in half with my sharpest paring knife to get a good view of any layers inside. Any true chocolate-obsessed little foodie loves a good cross section, right?! And then, after I cut them and examined them, I ate one half myself and gave the other half to my partner. I ate my half slowly and really let myself explore each flavor combination. And above all, I stuck to one piece per day so I wouldn't run out right away.
Fast forward to Christmas that year when I'd realized I was spending it in Canada and could ask my partner to have a box shipped to us for Christmas. And, to my surprise, received a couple of bars to go with my order!
And now, now I'm really in trouble because guess what? The Chocolate Lab has officially started shipping within the U.S.! That's right, say goodbye to all of my money forever because I can't get enough and I'm a superfan! Do you need proof? I have plenty.
As a chocolate nerd, I was particularly excited for the U.S. release of their absolutely incredible advent calendar!
This beauty was well worth and every penny.
Again, it's a full on experience. The packaging itself blew my mind! It feels like they've thought of everything, right down to the smallest touches.
This beauty was well worth and every penny.
Again, it's a full on experience. The packaging itself blew my mind! It feels like they've thought of everything, right down to the smallest touches.
I will be opening this masterpiece one day at a time throughout the month of December. To watch, visit my personal Instagram page and watch my stories each day to find out what exciting flavors I'm tasting!
And if you love chocolate, do yourself a favor and check out their website to order some for yourself. I heard a rumor that many chocolate bars will be added to the store soon in addition to the bonbon collections, so keep an eye out for those!
And if you love chocolate, do yourself a favor and check out their website to order some for yourself. I heard a rumor that many chocolate bars will be added to the store soon in addition to the bonbon collections, so keep an eye out for those!