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Published January 12, 2019

Ecole Chocolat Grads Win 2019 Good Food Awards

Ecole Chocolat grads are among the winners in the Chocolates and Confections categories! We are so proud to share that many of our graduates are winners of the 2019 Good Food Awards! What are the Good Food Awards? “For a long time, certifications for responsible practices and awards for superior…

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chocolate maker Chocolatier EC grad Good Food Awards

Published November 6, 2018

Why fine chocolate ISN’T like fine wine, specialty coffee or craft beer

And what this means for companies marketing fine chocolate to consumers With the rise of bean to bar chocolate makers in the U.S. in the past decade, many have begun to consider where the industry will go in the future. The explosion of other segments of the “specialty” food industry,…

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business chocolate maker Chocolatier Fine chocolate marketing

Moving my chocolate business to a retail location: Tips from an EC grad
Published October 25, 2018

Moving my chocolate business to a retail location: Tips from an EC grad

For many chocolate business owners, taking the leap to move their business into a retail location is a huge decision. One of our Ecole Chocolat graduates, Brooke Willis from B Cocoa Artisan Chocolate, has just celebrated the first anniversary of her chocolate business out of her home and  to a…

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B Cocoa Artisan Chocolate business chocolate business Chocolatier EC grad mompreneur

Published May 18, 2017

Chocolatier versus Chocolate maker – what’s the difference?

Wait, isn’t anyone who makes any type of chocolate a “chocolate maker”? If you read almost any article published by a mainstream news media outlet, the terms chocolatier and chocolate maker are thrown around pretty loosely. This probably leaves people confused – isn’t everyone who makes chocolate of any kind a…

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bean to bar chocolate chocolate maker Chocolatier

Published February 10, 2017

The Life and Times of Chocolate, Part 4: Valentine’s Day Edition!

We’re pleased to share with you the fourth (and final) installment of our collaboration with Megan Giller of Chocolate Noise! We created a series of chocolate infographics called the Life and Times of Chocolate. In case you missed them, check out the first infographic in the series that called How…

Read More The Life and Times of Chocolate, Part 4: Valentine’s Day Edition!

bonbon Chocolate Noise Chocolatier holiday Life and Times of Chocolate Valentines Day

The Story of Ecole Chocolat
Published January 18, 2017

The Story of Ecole Chocolat

This January, Ecole Chocolat celebrates it’s 14th anniversary! Have you ever wondered how Ecole Chocolat came to be? Our Founder and Lead Instructor Pam Williams shares the story of her career in the fine chocolate industry and what inspired her to start a chocolate school! It all began with a chocolate…

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Chocolatier Ecole Chocolat Fine chocolate Fine Chocolate Industry Association Heirloom cacao Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund Pam Williams

Published December 8, 2016

The Life and Times of Chocolate, Part 3

  We’re pleased to share with you the third installment of our collaboration with Megan Giller of Chocolate Noise! We are creating a series of chocolate infographics called the Life and Times of Chocolate. In case you missed them, check out the first infographic in the series that called How Chocolate is Born,…

Read More The Life and Times of Chocolate, Part 3

bean to bar chocolate chocolate bar Chocolate Noise Chocolatier infographic ingredients Life and Times of Chocolate

10 chocolate Instagram accounts you need to follow
Published November 17, 2016

10 chocolate Instagram accounts you need to follow

Okay, we need to say something important right off the bat. When we thought it would be fun to write a blog post about some of our favourite Instagram accounts with a chocolate focus, we knew it would be INCREDIBLY hard to narrow our choices down to just 10. But…

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Bon bon bon Chocolate chocolate maker Chocolatier David Chow Giorgio Demarini Instagram Kate Weiser Chocolate Map Chocolate Melissa Coppel social media Soma Chocolatemaker Stick with Me Sweets The Chocolate Lab Uncommon Cacao

Published October 15, 2016

Ecole Chocolat grads win International Chocolate Awards World Final!

  Ecole Chocolat graduates have won International Chocolate Awards in the 2016 World Final! We’re pleased to share that many Ecole Chocolat graduates have won International Chocolate Awards in the World Final Competition! Background about the International Chocolate Awards “The International Chocolate Awards is an independent competition recognizing excellence in fine chocolate…

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awards chocolate maker Chocolatier Chocotenango EC grad Fifth Dimension Chocolates Hummingbird Chocolate Maker International Chocolate Awards Palette de Bine Starchild Chocolate world

Ecole Chocolat grads win International Chocolate Awards
Published September 22, 2016

Ecole Chocolat grads win International Chocolate Awards

Ecole Chocolat graduates have won International Chocolate Awards in their regional competitions! We’re pleased to share that many Ecole Chocolat graduates have won International Chocolate Awards in their regional competitions, including Americas & Asia Pacific, Canadian and British National Competitions. Background about the International Chocolate Awards “The International Chocolate Awards…

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award Cacao Art chocolate maker Chocolatier Chocotenango Creo Chocolate EC grad Fifth Dimension Chocolates Gem Chocolates Hummingbird Chocolate Maker Inspiration Chocolates International Chocolate Awards Millcreek Cacao Roasters Palette de Bine Starchild Chocolate The Chocolate Lab Zak's Chocolate

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  • by ecolechocolat 3 days ago
    We can live on chocolate alone BUT the Pistachio+Orange Kougin-amann  #belcafe   #belkitsilano 
  • by ecolechocolat 4 days ago
    We love seeing what our grads come up with for the holidays! How adorable and detailed are these nutcrackers from  @giorgiodemarini   @roselenchocolatier  ?  #ecolechocolatgrad   #finechocolate   #Repost   @giorgiodemarini  ・・・ The Nutcracker bon bon⭐ The classic christmas soldier is the new creation for this season with a chocolate nougat and fruits.  #chocolate   #chocolatier   #art   #craft   #nutcracker   #soldier   #christmas   #yum   #nom 
  • by ecolechocolat 2 weeks ago
    Small Business Saturday  @shopsmall  is almost over, but supporting small businesses is important all year round. Entrepreneurs are a huge part of the fine chocolate industry. Chocolatiers and chocolate makers have been going flat out for weeks to make sure that you have the best possible chocolate to share with your loved ones for the holidays. For many, it started as a passion, became a craft worked at tirelessly, and took risks in their businesses. Many started making chocolate from their home kitchens, working late into the night to fill orders. Support your local chocolatier or chocolate maker today (and
  • by ecolechocolat 2 weeks ago
    Happy Thanksgiving to all of our students, grads, friends & family celebrating in the U.S. today! Life is precious and we have much to be thankful for. ❤️ May the chocolate you enjoy be at sweet as the moments you share with friends & family. ❤️ We are thankful to share our passion for fine chocolate with a community that is creative, thoughtful and intelligent. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday! . . .  #thanksgiving   #happythanksgiving   #finechocolate   #thankful   #grateful   #family   #friends   #precious 
  • by ecolechocolat 3 weeks ago
    BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT This is a special post for our students, grads colleagues & friends in the fine chocolate industry that we like to post every year at this time. We know you are in the middle of crazy busy times gearing up for the winter holidays. ❤️ You've been going flat out on production for weeks. You've dealt with every problem imaginable, both foreseen and unexpected...machinery breakdowns, injuries, running out of product, the list goes on. Take a deep breath, you’ve got this! ❤️ We are sending all of you our best wishes for an incredibly successful holiday
  • by ecolechocolat 3 weeks ago
    How adorable are these eggnog snowmen bonbons from  @coloradococoapod ? They look like jolly happy souls to us ⛄️ Keep reading to find out how to get your hands on yours! ⛄️⛄️⛄️  #Repost   @coloradococoapod  ・・・ Eggnog Snowman ☃️ These are my non-alcoholic eggnog bonbons! They are super delicious & remind me of cozy, wintery happiness! ❄️☃️ . Every bonbon made at  @coloradococoapod  is painted by hand and crafted with care! I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy creating them for you! . Bonbons for  #Thanksgiving  are still available! Shipping will happen Monday, Nov. 25th in the morning! Order
  • by ecolechocolat 4 weeks ago
    Such an amazing time last weekend in Seattle at the Northwest Chocolate Festival  @nwchocolate ! If you were watching our stories over the weekend, you may have caught some of the action We didn’t have a chance to post all of our photos, swipe to see a few more! We’ve tagged each of the companies in the photos, tap to check out their profiles. We love exploring the festival every year to catch up with our favorite chocolate companies and discover new ones we may not have come across yet ❤️ . . .  #finechocolate   #nwchocolate   #nwchocolatefestival   #beantobar   #chocolatemaker   #craftchocolate   #makingchocolate 
  • by ecolechocolat 1 month ago
    Back from  @nwchocolate  in Seattle & checking out the chocolate haul! ❤️ So excited to dive into these fabulous bars & share with family & friends over the holiday season. . Which bars have you tried? Any favorites? . . .  #nwchocolatefestival   #finechocolate   #chocolatier   #chocolatemaker   #beantobar   #beantobarchocolate   #chocolatehaul 
  • by ecolechocolat 1 month ago
    If you’ve been following us for awhile, you probably know that we are big  @carlthesnowman  fans! This adorable snowman is the brainchild of Kate  @kateweiserchocolate  & turns into delicious drinking chocolate when you melt him in a pot of milk. ⛄️ . Packaging & shipping is a huge challenge in the chocolate industry. Chocolate is delicate - it is easily marked, scuffed or broken & is very sensitive to changes in temperature. . In February 2017, Kate was kind enough to write a blog post about her challenges with packaging and shipping Carl. . Since then, Carl has become a
  • by ecolechocolat 1 month ago
    Wishing you and all your little ghosts and goblins a day full of spooky fun! And don’t forget, Halloween isn’t all about the kids...treat yourself to some delicious fine chocolate from your favorite chocolatier or chocolate maker! We just love these skulls from our  #ecolechocolatgrad   @lauraslackchocolate  ‍♀️ . . .  #halloween   #trickortreat   #spooky   #skulls   #boo   #skull   #halloweenchocolate 
  • by ecolechocolat 2 months ago
    We couldn’t have  #NationalChocolateDay  without our favorite fruit ❤️❤️❤️ . In case you are confused about all the chocolate holidays: July 7th is World Chocolate Day September 13th is International Chocolate Day October 28th is National Chocolate Day The differences between each of these seems to be up for debate but we are big fans of any day that celebrates the amazingness that is chocolate. Grown by farmers who work tirelessly to ensure flavorful crops. Nurtured by chocolate makers who bring out delicate & delicious flavors. Molded into works of edible art by chocolatiers. So many hands contribute to making
  • by ecolechocolat 2 months ago
    Are your ghosts & goblins ready? There’s only one week left until Halloween! . We love this adorably spooky gaggle of ghosts & monsters from our  #ecolechocolatgrad  Jessica  @pastrypastmidnight  . Happy haunting! . . .  #finechocolate   #halloween   #halloweenchocolate   #trickortreat   #ghost   #monster   #chocolatier   #spooky   #toocutetoeat   #ganache   #Repost   @pastrypastmidnight  ・・・ Oooooooo! It’s spooky time (as my kids remind me daily). Last year’s ghost army was joined by a horde of little purple and green monsters

Recent Posts

  • Shipping Chocolate Part 2: The continuing story of Carl the Snowman
  • Tips for better chocolate photography for social media
  • Ecole Chocolat Grads Win 2019 Good Food Awards
  • Why fine chocolate ISN’T like fine wine, specialty coffee or craft beer
  • Moving my chocolate business to a retail location: Tips from an EC grad

Recent Comments

  • Kimberly on Tips for better chocolate photography for social media
  • Melissa Knudtson on Why fine chocolate ISN’T like fine wine, specialty coffee or craft beer
  • Alysha Kropf on Moving my chocolate business to a retail location: Tips from an EC grad
  • Tina Cleveland on Moving my chocolate business to a retail location: Tips from an EC grad
  • Alysha Kropf on Tips for better chocolate photography for social media

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Bean2bonbon – About the authors

Rachel McKinley

As a chocolatier, I love the blend of science and art that results from working with our fine chocolate medium. My days are filled with creating new products, experimenting in my chocolate lab, working with my clients and customers while a the same time instructing for Ecole Chocolat programs. I find great pleasure in helping people passionate about chocolate achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams. I have a degree in microbiology and a degree in English literature, so I have a creative side and a technical side, and [chocolatiering] really married those things for me quite beautifully.

Alysha Kropf

I spent several years in the not-for-profit sector with roles in communications, marketing and program management before joining Ecole Chocolat as the Program and Marketing Director. I leaped at a role where I could combine my love of writing with my love of chocolate! Still relatively new to the world of chocolate, I have jumped in with both feet and love learning more every day. When I’m not reading about chocolate, or writing about chocolate, or eating (sorry “tasting”) chocolate, I’m chasing after one or all of my three boys, ages ten, six and six.

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Tales from our Chocolate Laboratory
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