Thursday, January 12, 2012

My latest baking adventure...

Thought it was time to check in and tell you what I am up to baking wise these days. I started a home based direct selling business for Dove Chocolate Discoveries. It is a division of Dove Chocolate like you find in the stores. However, that is really where the similarity ends. I personally do not like Dove Chocolate that much. To me it has a weird aftertaste. I will eat it, but it is not my favorite brand. I came across Dove Chocolate Discoveries while doing an online search for home based businesses for a holiday shopping bazaar I wanted to set up. I was intrigued by their party model of doing chocolate tasting parties in people's homes. I love chocolate. But the Dove name was a concern. I had to taste the product first before I committed. Well I found a Chocolatier in Huntsville who gave me some samples, some information, and it was all good. It is a new home based business venture, so there were no other Chocolatiers in my county/area. A brand new untapped market....great for starting out. The Dove Chocolate Discoveries chocolate was so much better than the grocery store bags and bars they sell. Plus the products DCD has are exclusive to their home based business. We carry beverage mixes, martini mixes, baking mixes, chai tea, ready to eat chocolates, and baking chocolate.
I am loving this new business because it allows me to work in a medium that I have a passion for...baking and chocolate. That enthusiasm plus their high quality products are a great match. I am slowly working outside my small circle of friends and acquaintances to get bookings for parties. Everyone loves the products. The only downside is probably the price. In this economy it is sometimes hard to get orders when the prices of your products before shipping and tax are about $14-25. But I must say, the baking mixes are all preservative free and very much like baking mixes I have put together myself. And our prices are very competitive to mixes you would find at Williams Sonoma, and even a bit cheaper. All the baking mixes are loaded with premium real chocolate. Their chocolate candies are very good and very fresh. The beverage mixes are all so versatile to use outside of beverage making. Their savory products have been a big big hit too. Plus a girls' night out eating chocolate, what could be better?

If anyone stumbling across this blog would like more info. on being a Chocolatier for Dove Chocolate Discoveries, our products or specials, please go to my business site. I would love to get in touch with you and tell you more.

My other baking inspiration these days that has me itching to get in the kitchen more are all the awesome food blogs I am discovering via Pinterest.com. I spend way to much time pinning stuff to my boards in Pinterest, but I have a whole bunch of yummy recipes just waiting to be tried. Now if I could just find time to devote to doing them.

Oh, I just made homemade croissants and chocolate croissants over Christmas break. Oh my goodness they were so good. It has been over 10 years since I made homemade croissant dough. It takes all day long to make it. I started at 8 am and had the first batch out of the oven at 4 pm. But they were so worth it. My youngest son says I have to make them again soon. When I have another whole day free I will. ; Totally reminded me why I love pastry arts. I am waiting a few more years before I jump back into a pastry business, but I am itching to do it. I just hope there will be a market for it here in my small town that is willing to pay the price for truly homemade, all natural, not from a cake mix cakes and pastries. I will be trying to save to get my boys through college. That is a prayer and plan for God to work out still.

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