Tien’s blog

19 hours nonstop yesterday, a frenzied orgy of creative chocolatiering.  Started compiling formulas/recipes and schedules at 5:30am, made it into the kitchen at 9:30am, and didn’t get home until half past midnight.  I haven’t had this much fun since the Davis Double Century (200 mile bike ride that took 18.5 hours to finish - yes, [...]

Today did not go well.  We managed to finish off the fig/cognac and guava white chocolate bonbons, and nearly finished the milk chocolate hazelnut and milk chocolate caramel bonbons (both of which are delicious), and the saffron-dark chocolate bonbons (which are heavenly).  However, we were on the slate to get four other flavors done, and [...]

Today and tomorrow we will be working in the commercial kitchen, where I have the luxury of all the trays I could possibly want, and the space to put them in.  (To give you a rough idea of my working space at home, I have enough room to set one tray down on the dining [...]

Today is Thanksgiving, and a good opportunity to reflect on what one is thankful for.  So here is my list:
1.  Life.
We don’t typically think about this much, but I do.  I nearly committed suicide at 21, and again at 32 - and ever since the first time, I have seen my life as a gift.  [...]

Yes, I actually ran out of chocolate today!  I was due to get a delivery yesterday night, but the narcs busted my runner and…
…no, seriously.  My partner-in-crime, who will be helping me on Friday and Saturday, got tied up at work and couldn’t get over to the storage area to get the chocolate for me.  [...]