I've Got A Golden Ticket!

Fortunately I had the opportunity last week to explore the Lindt factory in Hampton, New Hampshire. Of course silly me decided to schedule it after the Hamptons' Memorial Day Weekend (basically the start of the summer season). So after working 12-13 hour days from Thursday to Sunday, worked the Monday morning shift, drove back home, showered fast, and got back in the car to drive out to Orient Point to catch the ferry.

My lovely parents drove, so I had some time to sleep on the car ride. After a night in a hotel, we got up early and headed over to Lindt. I finally got to meet the people that helped make my "Mocha Coconut" Lindt bar come alive. The man in charge and who scheduled this amazing tour for me was Nico Tomaselli, the Research and Development Manager. Nico was kind of enough to take the time out of his busy schedule to show my parents and I how Lindt makes their chocolate from bean to bar. It was INCREDIBLE. At the CIA, we take a Chocolates and Confections class where we discuss, read, and study how chocolate is made. Now add on some savvy technology to what we learned and bam, it's the Lindt Chocolate Factory. Unfortunately there weren't any "oompa loompas" making the chocolate like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. It was amazing to see the bar line where my "baby" was born and produced. After our tour, I was invited to check out the Research and Development Lab with Ann Czaja where "all the magic happens". Ann is a Maitre Chocolatier at Lindt and I had the opportunity to meet her at the competition. After speaking with Ann and Nico, it really opened my eyes to considering R&D down the road in my career. Lindt was extremely generous with a "goodie bag" filled with chocolates. On our way out, I also fell in love with the Lindt Bunny Smart Car. Who doesn't want a Lindt Bunny Smart Car?? Thank you to Lindt for hosting my parents and I for the day. Big thanks to my parents (especially Dad) who drove home in the rain and being patient with all the traffic. Happy June Everyone! Don't forget to eat some chocolate, it'll keep you sweet!