From The Blog

Freshening Up

February 7, 2014 by Cam

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We set up the first version of our website way back when we were still in a garage. An updated version of the website was long overdue but it never seemed to be at the top of the priority list. As tech guys, having our garage website up for so long was always a bit tough. As we’ve started offering more things, like classes, tours, and trips, eventually our website just wasn’t able to keep up. Fortunately, we managed to find some time over the last few months and we couldn’t be happier to finally have it live!

We hope you enjoy the new website, especially the much more functional store. If you run into any problems, please let us know!

Beans Beans Beans!

February 5, 2014 by Maverick Watson

Truck! Truck! Truck!!!

At Dandelion, we all wear multiple hats. My name is Maverick Watson and most days you’ll find me in the cafe, serving up hot chocolates or coffee, but every Tuesday I am Dandelion Chocolate’s go to truck driver. I pick up our cacao beans from warehouses in Hayward and Bayview and deliver them right to our factory on Valencia Street.

And sometimes I make Greg deliver me to the bean room!

Today I delivered beans from Mantuano and Guaniamo, Venezuela, and Camino Verde beans from Ecuador! It’s a really great experience to be able to see how the vast stacks of cacao in a warehouse in Hayward are gradually turned into the chocolate bars that we have on our shelves. So until next week, I’ll be serving the chocolate, not trucking it.

Cupid’s Pre-Funk Bash

February 3, 2014 by Maya

It’s almost the loviest day of the year! But Lindsay and I were hit with a wall of eye rolls and groans when we started talking about planning a romantic Valentine’s Day event. Instead, we’re going to have a late night, chocolatey bash. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the factory the night before Valentine’s Day so that we can all properly celebrate love and chocolate together!

Thursday, February 13th from 9-11pm

Party After Dark Chocolate! Join us at the factory as we usher in Valentine’s Day with an after hours celebration. We’ll have champagne, chocktails, delicious desserts, and dancing tunes. You’ll be able to custom letterpress Valentine’s cards on hand crafted paper courtesy of Shotwell Paper Mill. And of course, we’ll show you around the factory so you can sample cacao as it transforms from bean, to molten chocolate, to bar!

Come as a group of three to take advantage of the Third Wheel discount. Your ticket includes two drink vouchers and a delicious selection of chocolate treats!

Get your tickets on www.eventbrite.com (tickets won’t be available at the door).

See you there!
Maya

You’re Invited: January Events

January 10, 2014 by Cynthia

Happy New Year! After a whirlwind of events and classes and 12 Nights of Chocolate in December, we’re moving full speed ahead into 2014.

We love to have people visit, learn about the chocolate making process and see what we’re up to. Here’s whats in store for the rest of January to help you time your visit (select the event name to reserve tickets):

TOURS

Weekday Factory Tours (Wed-Fri, 6pm-6:20 – FREE)
Saturday Factory Tours (Sat, 11am-11:30 – FREE)

CLASSES – January classes are SOLD OUT

Chocolate 101: Introduction to Chocolate Industry Lecture & Tastings (Mon, Feb 10th, 7pm-9pm – $50)
Chocolate 201: Small Batch Chocolate Making Lab (Sun, Feb 23rd – 10:30am-2:00 – $150)
Sorry we’re sold out in January, but there is still availability in February

EVENTS & TALKS

Guatemalan Cacao and Heifer International Talk (Mon, Jan 20th 6:30pm-8pm – FREE)
Wine & Chocolate Pairings: Pair wine with cacao from cacao pulp to brownie. Photo featured above. (Thur, Jan 30th, 7pm-9 – $50 or 2 for $80)

SNEAK PEAK FOR FEB

Valentine’s themed events (Info to come)
Chocolate 301: Sourcing Field Trip to Belize Check out these photos from Niall, who attended in November to see whats in store. (Feb 15th-22 – starting at $1300 + Flight)

We hope to see you soon!

The 12 Nights of Chocolate

December 4, 2013 by Todd

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We’re very excited to announce a new holiday tradition that we are starting at our chocolate factory on Valencia Street: the 12 Nights of Chocolate!

Starting next Tuesday the 10th for 12 whole nights, we will be hosting a series of festive events celebrating our love of chocolate. The highlight of this series are the pastry chef nights where local pastry luminaries Emily Luchetti, Janet Dalton, Jessica Sullivan, Lincoln Carson, Angela Salvatore, and Terri Wu will host intimate dessert evenings made with our chocolate. The profits from these pastry chef nights will go to benefit the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks, which seeks to end hunger in San Francisco.

We’ll be posting more details as the month progresses, but here’s a quick overview of what we have planned:

#1 – Guatemala Sourcing Talk – Tuesday December, 10th
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Greg, our resident Bean Sourcer-er, will give a talk about his recent sourcing trip to Guatemala at 7:30PM in the cafe. FREE

#2 – Book signing and demo – Wednesday December, 11th
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Local Mission author Andrea Lawson Grey will be doing a book signing and demo for her new cookbook: CELEBRACIONES MEXICANAS – History, Traditions, and Recipes. Andrea will show us how to make Mexican Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Dipping Sauce for Churros starting at 7:00PM in the cafe. FREE

#3 – Food drive – Thursday December, 12th
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We’re kicking off our food-drive, by giving a free, special treat to anyone who brings in a food item for the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks this day. The most needed items are: tuna, canned meat, peanut butter, soup, chili, beans, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, and granola bars. Food collection bins will be available through the 21st. PLEASE NOTE: Cafe will be closing at 7 for our staff holiday party.

#4 – Dolce Delfina – with Pastry Chef, Jessica Sullivan – Friday December, 13th
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Hailing from our fellow neighborhood restaurant, Delfina, Pastry Chef Jessica Sullivan is taking over Dandelion for a night to showcase the decadent side of Delfina. She will present a wintery 3-course Italian dessert tasting including a Warm Panettone with Dandelion Chocolate Gelato. To complete the evening, a special selection of wines and spirits from Locanda will be available as pairing for the desserts. 8:30PM $50 – PLEASE NOTE: the cafe will be closing at 8PM this night. More info and tickets here.

All profits from this night are donated in support of the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks

#5 – Wine and Chocolate – Saturday December, 14th
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An intimate evening with a wine and chocolate pairing in our upstairs mezzanine. Wines by Sonoma / San Francisco based Wattle Creek Winery. Limited to 14 people. More details and tickets here. 7PM. $75

#6 – Holiday Cookie Popup – Sunday December, 15th
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All day Sunday our pastry chef, Lisa Vega, will be exclusively making holiday cookies in the cafe. Come try her creations or bring some home. ALL DAY

#7 – Movie Night – Monday December, 16th
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We’re setting up the cafe as a small movie theater and screening Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory. There will be (chocolate-covered) popcorn and golden tickets of course. Popcorn and treats at 7:45, movie starts at 8:15 sharp. $15 Tickets here. PLEASE NOTE: the cafe will be closing at 7:30PM this night.

#8 – Crunchy Creamy All Chocolate Pop Up Party with Emily Luchetti and Janet Dalton – Tuesday December, 17th
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Executive Chef, Author, and James Beard Board Member Emily Luchetti is teaming up with Janet Dalton, former pastry chef of Postrio to a host a night of desserts! Buy tickets in advance (some available at the door) and drop in between 7-9PM to try hot chocolate milk shakes, desserts, and other treats made by these amazing chefs. Lots and lots of treats.

The chefs wanted us to warn you to eat something savory before you come. Not responsible for overdosing on chocolate.

Drop in any time between 7-9PM. $35 – PLEASE NOTE: the cafe will be closing at 7PM this night. More info and tickets here (or at the door).

All profits from this night are donated in support of the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks

#9 – Wine and Chocolate II – Wednesday December, 18th
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An intimate evening with a wine and chocolate pairing in our upstairs mezzanine. Wines by Sonoma / San Francisco based Wattle Creek Winery. Limited to 14 people. More details and tickets here. 7PM. $75

#10 – Lincoln Carson – Thursday December, 19th
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Join Lincoln Carson, corporate pastry chef for the Michael Mina restaurants and Neyah White, brand ambassador for Suntory Whiskey in an evening of chocolate creations and whiskey which will include The Hibiki served ceremoniously Oyu-Wari style, as well as some unblended individual barrel samples to compare and contrast with each chocolate. 8:30PM $50 – PLEASE NOTE: the cafe will be closing at 8PM this night. More info and tickets here.

All profits from this night are donated in support of the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks

#11 – Angela Salvatore and Terri Wu – Friday December, 20th
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Angela Salvatore of Waterbar and Terri Wu of Farallon will be hosting a sweet and savory prix fixe chocolate menu with spirit pairings by Craig Lane of Bar Agricole. 8:30PM $50 – PLEASE NOTE: the cafe will be closing at 8PM this night. More info and tickets here.

All profits from this night are donated in support of the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks

#12 – Fondue Night – Saturday December, 21th
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We’re ending the 12 nights with Fondue! Starting at 6pm we will be offering fondue with a series of toppings in the cafe until close. 6PM until close (or until sold out).