Tasting Tips for Chocolatiers

The key to Dove Chocolate Discoveries is having a successful tasting party.  The best thing about DCD is that the parties are a snap.  In and of itself, tasting chocolate is fantastic and fun.  As long as you have your samples in order, the party and fun will mostly take care of itself.  So, the question becomes, how can you best present and sample the chocolate at your parties?

First, make sure that you are giving out SAMPLES.  For example, when I taste the Cinnamon Dusted Almonds, each person gets to taste one almond.  There will be plenty of chocolate for everyone to taste.  At the end of the party, nobody will think that they haven’t tasted enough.  For me, I tend to have people taste more items, but smaller portions.  For an example such as cookies, make small cookie balls about half the size that you normally would.  Then after they come out of the oven, cut those cookies in half. 

Second, show some different and easy recipes that can be made with DCD products.  I always sample some chai tea with cool whip.  Everyone loves this.  Buy a container of Cool Whip and let it completely thaw.  After it has thawed, stir in a packet of chai tea and mix it in completely.  I usually bring some teddy grahams for people to dip into the chai tea.

Third, our best selling product is the chocolate martini mix! Show it off.  It’s delicious and a great buy.  When you make the martinis, don’t use the directions on the bottle.  Add some sort of dairy.  At my parties, I use the following recipe:  3 oz mix, 3 oz ½ & ½, and an ounce of vodka.  I usually tell my guests that they can increase the vodka, depending on how bad their day went!

Fourth, have fun and don’t pressure people!!! Everyone messes up.  It’s ok.  Don’t worry about it.  Remember, your parties are about your guests and how you can provide them with a wonderful time.  Don’t worry about how much they buy or how big the party is.  It’s more important to develop a relationship with people.  You don’t know what is going on in a person’s life.  Meaning, even if they don’t buy anything, maybe they will host a party or refer someone to you.  Or, maybe, next time they will come in and place a $200 order!