Sensational Chocolate Tastings: What to do with Left Over Chocolate

TeamBuilding Unlimited is known for its Chocolate Team Building events. Maybe that's because Frank Price, the VP, spent 3 years in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in the Peace Corps. Cote d'Ivoire produces one of the largest amounts of cacao in the world. And, then there's the fact that I blog about chocolate every day at www.DyingforChocolate.com. Recipes, reviews and chocolate news. And, I'm a Judge at International Chocolate Salons.

Last week for Administration Assistant Appreciation Day, TeamBuilding Unlimited was asked to host a Chocolate Tasting for 75 Admins of a large multi-national company. What a fun time was had by all. The Admins tasted chocolate from different manufacturers and chocolate makers with beans from all over the world. Terroir, process, history and lots of other chocolate information was dispersed as the admins sampled the chocolate. A score card for remarks was provided to participants, so they could rate the chocolate. Chocolate, as you know, is a matter of taste. I personally prefer dark chocolate, but the choices were immense.. beans from Equador over chocolate from Ghana? Stone ground vs. more traditional process?

But let's face it, there's only so much chocolate one can eat at a time. Never fear. Teambuilding Unlimited provided baggies so the participants could take home some of the chocolate they preferred. So here's the quandry. What to do with 'left-over" chocolate? Yes, you can always eat it. But if you're not planning on baking anything, here's an easy solution--Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Simple to make and they look fabulous!

CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES

Ingredients
1 quart fresh large fresh strawberries, with tops
1-1/2 cup "left over" Dark Chocolate, broken or chopped
3 Tbsp. heavy cream

Directions
Rinse strawberries and dry thoroughly, keeping tops on. In top of double boiler or stainless
steel bowl on top of a pot of simmering water, combine chocolate and heavy cream. Stir until
chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
Dip strawberries 1/2 to 3/4 way up in chocolate mixture and place on parchment-
lined cookie sheet to allow chocolate to harden.

Hints:
Wash strawberries and pat dry with paper towels; set aside. Make sure strawberries are
completely dry. A drop of water in melted chocolate can cause it to "seize" and turn the
entire mixture into a mess.
How to Fix Seized Chocolate

How to dip:
Grasp stem of strawberry and dip into chocolate, swirling to partially cover with chocolate.
Give the strawberry a small shake as you pull it out of chocolate. When strawberry is
completely out of chocolate, swirl it in quick, clockwise motion to let excess chocolate drip off.
Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Repeat with rest of strawberries.

The Chef pictured in the photo is by Sonoma artist Cynthia Hipkiss. I love her oddball humor, and I have several of her sculptures. I love this Chef, in particular, and he holds a coveted space by my stove (the blue O'Keefe Merritt), and I've had the Chef and the stove forever. What's particularly fun about the Chef is what he's holding can be changed. I have a strawberry shortcake, a birthday cake, and a plate of hot dogs with all the trimmings.  The smaller food sculptures are attached with velcro. Very clever! Hipkiss Gallery is located in Sonoma, CA, and her work is carried in several art galleries.

Chocolate Construction Challenge

February is Chocolate Month, and what could be more fun than a Chocolate Team Building Event?

One chocolate team building event that TeamBuilding Unlimited facilitates is The Chocolate Construction Challenge--build a structure completely from chocolate. TeamBuilding has never been so Sweet!

TeamBuilding Unlimited leads your group in this luscious activity. Teams are challenged to construct a "creative" designated chocolate structure while incorporating their Company into the event. The process is grounded in both the reality and uncertainty of the task. Specific structure will be defined after reviewing company information.

Teams are provided with all kinds of chocolate based foods that might include chocolate-covered graham crackers, M&Ms, chocolate Gummy Bears, Hershey bars and all kinds of other chocolate--different shapes, sizes, and textures.

Teams then compete to build a structure. One HMO firm had its teams build their ideal medical center. A hotel group set its teams to designing resorts. The final chocolate structure has to stand up on its own and, except for the white cardboard base, has to be completely edible. Teams are given time to design and build, and then they present the results. Half the fun is explaining why they built what they built and how they built it.

And, of course, there are rewards! How sweet it is!

Contact Team Building Unlimited for your next teambuilding event--chocolate and more!

Charity Challenge: Operation Red Wagon

Teambuilding Unlimited leads your team in an interactive fun and philanthropic Charity Challenge: Operation Red Wagon. 

The Red Wagon has become a symbol of American childhood. Teams work together to build wagons that will be donated to shelters, hospitals or child care centers. Our red wagons feature full-sized all-steel seamless body with no scratch edges, extra-long handle that folds under and steel wheels with semi-pneumatic rubber tires.

The reward for building the Red Wagons is the reward of giving back to the community. What a great team bonding activity for your team!

Charity Challenge: Operation Red Wagon II: Welcome Wagons

 
This team building event is a twist on our traditional Red Wagon team building event. Wagons are filled with various supplies depending on the receiving organization: Children or Families.  Wagons can be filled with household supplies or children's toys, school supplies or a mixture. We even have an optional Library Wagon that participants fill with Books!

Working together each team becomes part of an even bigger team that makes a difference by providing basic supplies for families in need.

Besides teambuilding skills, a lot of team bonding goes on during this meaningful and fun charity challenge!

Contact TeamBuilding Unlimited for more information on how your team can make a difference.