Kerstin's Chocolate is Back!

The other night, I drove all the way to the other side of town to the Highlands Market to get these beloved Chocophilia bars. The rumours are true! One of Edmonton's beloved chocolate bars & products - Kerstin's is back! Kerstin's sister Angie, who lives in Edmonton, agreed to continue making more of the bars herself (in smaller batches) and selling them at farmer markets around the city. Click here to read more of the story from Kerstin's blog. 

Like some of you, I've been hoarding my stash of Kerstin's Chocophilia bars and their Spicy Drinking Chocolate. Thankfully, the hoarding is no longer needed as we can all replenish our stash of Chocophilia bars! I love the variety of flavours that Kerstin's Chocolate has available as they are a blend of classic (e.g. dark chocolate, mint) and new flavours (e.g. Cardomint, Lemon Dream). The ones I love in particular are their Hot Chocolate and Fleur del Sel bars. The Hot Chocolate bar is made with 72% Ecuadorian dark chocolate. BUT, the real surprise is the chili. As you bite in you get this nice, rick dark chocolate flavour which suddenly melds with a kick of chili spice and then back to the round notes of dark chocolate. In contrast, the Fleur del Sel is made with 49% Venezuelan milk chocolate and sea salt. So there is a more subtle taste on your tongue before you get the highlights of sea salt. If this sounds a lot like a description for wine, then you're right. Chocolate bars can have as much complexity as a red wine.  

In talking to Angie, she will be selling the Chocophlia Bars, Cocoa Nib Caviars and Spiced Drinking Chocolate at the Collingwood's Market on Sunday October 7 from 10 - 3pm. The more exciting news is that she was recently accepted for the City Market Downtown and will be there starting October 20th (10am-3pm).

Such great news for Edmonton's chocolate lovers! I for one have some great plans for Christmas gifts!

A Preview of Williams-Sonoma opening in Edmonton

Last night, I had the fantastic opportunity to attend the media launch for Williams-Sonoma that is opening tomorrow (Sat Sept 22) at West Edmonton Mall! This will be Edmonton's first Williams-Sonoma and the second one in Alberta. Now, if you've never been inside a Williams-Sonoma then you have got to visit! Inside there are tons of amazing baking utensils, prep tools, kitchen appliances, canning accessories, linens, and cook books! Also, they carry mixes from famous bakeries such as Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery so you can make his famous chocolate cookies, muffins or waffles at home. Another pre-packaged item you can bring home are these utterly delicious spiced pumpkin pecan quick breads. These were so good, I ate three of them! 

Our tour yesterday evening was led by Shannon Gomes, who is the public relations manager of Williams Sonoma. She came up to Edmonton from the Williams Sonoma head office in San Francisco for the sole purpose of opening the store. Shannon shared with us the story of how Williams Sonoma came to be; A while back, okay about the 1950's, Charles (Chuck) Williams visited France for the first time and discovered that there was some quality cookware and kitchenware that he had never seen before. Thus, became his quest to bring all of this French cookware back to America. Chuck, ended up opening his first store in Sonoma, California and hence the name "Williams-Sonoma" came into every household. 

Beautiful displays

 We also had a chance to meet Chef Casey, who's dream has been to work at Williams-Sonoma and has personally written many letters encouraging them to open shop in Edmonton. She is a Red Seal Chef and will be doing cooking demonstrations, cooking classes and bringing in guest chefs to the store. She also baked the gorgeous pies & loaves 

Linens anyone?

Simple but ever so elegant French dinnerware.

Classic 

Canning & Jamming Jars.

Waffles & Maple Syrup

My favourite wall-Le Creuset!

Various coffee makers and their accessories

The Williams-Sonoma grand opening is on Saturday Sept 22 (tomorrow) at 10am. Demonstrations start at 11am and go until 6pm. Sunday, demos go from 11am-4pm. Chef Casey noted that there will be tastings and demos from Crave Cupcakes, Bon Ton Bakery, The Art of Cake, Green Eggs and Ham and more! Check them out this weekend at West Edmonton Mall. They are located on the upper level, across from the Apple store.

For more photos check out Michelle's post (The Tiffin Box) and Karlynn's post (The Kitchen Magpie).