On the 9th of July, I will be attending a five day training course at Callebaut’s UK Chocolate Academy in Banbury – http://www.chocolate-academy.com
This course focuses on all aspects of starting your own chocolate business. Here is the full itinerary:
Day 1
- Introduction to the Chocolate Industry
- Theoretical explanation of the journey from cocoa bean to finished chocolate bar
- Factory Tour
- Professional Chocolate Tasting
- How to choose the right Chocolate for the right Application
- Review of UK supplier contacts to assist you in Planning a Small Chocolate Business
- Explore the Callebaut Website for Tutorials on Chocolate Techniques
- Environmental health and trading standards guidelines
Day 2
- Science of Tempering Chocolate Presentation
- Ideal Working and Storage Environments
- Identifying Common Faults within Chocolate Production
- Hand Tempering : Table Top : Seeding : Microwave tempering
- Practical Session covering: Chocolate Bars : Bark : Figures : Lollipops : Moulded Chocolates by Hand
- Preparation of Fillings
- Machine Options – First Purchase Consideration
- Selling Tips & Negotiation Workshop
Day 3
- Production using Automatic Tempering Machines
- Modern Decoration Techniques using Coloured Cocoa Butters and Creative Powders
- Short and Long Shelf Life Ganaches for Moulded and Enrobed Chocolates: including cold and hot Infusions : Science behind Ganaches
- Chocolate Truffles Classical and Contempory Decoration
- Traditional and Creative Easter Eggs
- Marketing Trends Presentation
Day 4
- Shelf Life of Chocolate Consideration
- Parameters that affect Shelf Life
- How to Calculate the Shelf Life of a Ganache and change it to the Shelf Life you need to meet customer expectation
- Enrobing of Chocolates by Hand and Machine
- Making of Chocolate Products currently on Trend
- Group Dinner with the Academy Team
- Insight into Human Resources considerations
Day 5
- How to Improve your Marketing with Effective Social Media
- Marketing Trends Presentation
- Environmental Health and Trading Standards consideration
- Labeling of Chocolate Boxes
- Professional Packaging of products made over the weeks course
- How to Store Finished Chocolates
- Selling and Costing of Chocolates Guideline
- Where now? One to One Business Target Consultation
This course sounds like the perfect way to turn my idea of making chocolate racing helmets into a legitimate business.
