Forum Activity for @Rob Connoley

Rob Connoley
@Rob Connoley
11/30/13 08:29:21PM
6 posts

Does anyone know how much money I need to start a small bean to chocolate bar shop.
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

When I opened my shop (not chocolate exclusive) I went to the local SBDC (Small Business Development Center) and they held my hand as I did the business plan. At the end was a sort of stamp of approval for the SBA loan program. So not only did I have professionals looking at my numbers and making sure they were realistic, but I then had money on the backside to actually make it happen. The advice about working for someone else is invaluable even if you present yourself as an unpaid stage.

Rob Connoley
@Rob Connoley
10/30/13 02:36:32PM
6 posts

Question on Top Chocolatiers?
Posted in: Opinion

I recently sampled Rick Jordan (St. Louis) and Christopher Elbow (Kansas City) - both are world-class chocolatiers, but to my preference Jordan was the best I've had in the US. I tried to discern why considerings CE's reputation and it came down to this - I found CEs to have a more factory or large scale feel, v. Jordan's which were clearly handmade. I could see the hand made flaws v. the machine made perfection (I don't know if either uses enrobers and such) but at some point the flavor difference between making a 450g ganache v. a 5000g ganache becomes more discernable. Likewise the flavors felt more natural and fresh in RJ's v. CE's. So as someone said before its all a matter of taste and I know CE sells a lot more than RJ but I preferred RJ.

Rob Connoley
@Rob Connoley
02/23/12 10:05:26AM
6 posts

When is there too much color in showpieces?
Posted in: Uncategorized

I'm entering my first competition next week and my design has a lot of white in it - very little natural brown. The comp doesn't have written rules about the matter but I suspect there's a standard of when you've gone too far with color. Any thoughts?

Thanks.


updated by @Rob Connoley: 04/24/15 06:32:46AM
Rob Connoley
@Rob Connoley
01/06/14 08:01:09PM
6 posts

Tempering machine with a wheel/dispenser
Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

I'll just put it out there that I'm in the market for a machine comparable to the original poster and in a price range under $10K. The wheel and depositor are important to me but not deal killers.


updated by @Rob Connoley: 09/13/15 10:23:51PM