Instagram – The Chocolate Lab

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the_chocolatelab

We create #edibleart.
👁️ As seen in Vogue, Chatelaine, Flare, Insider Dessert.
🏷️ tag #thechocolatelab for feature.
🍫 shipped to your door. 🇨🇦 🇺🇲

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The temp at which I like to cast white chocolate shells. They're thin and delicate, but not paper thin, and without structure.

It flies in the face of what you may have learned about temperatures and white chocolate, back in pastry school.
Yep, there's a bit of a trick to it. 😉

#thechocolatelab #yyc #chocolate #bonbons #patisserie #yummy #tasty #chefsgossips #production #tips #technique #tempering #whitechocolate #chocolatetalks #calgary #yyceats #instagood #canada #iamdowntownyyc #chinatown #yycnow

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I tried to post about our new limited edition Origins Collection earlier in the week, but a sudden glitch in the matrix made my well thought out caption disappear into the ether. 😵

Without further ado, I offer you the latest collection, inspired by our 2019 travels to several different cacao producing regions. This project was spearheaded by my super sous, @woweezappo, and is a collection of bonbons made with 🍫 from cacao of different origins, produced in-🏠, at #thechocolatelab.
Our website (link in bio) has full details of the collection, and the origins used.

And we're offering two of the origins on slates for u-pick, thru the holiday season, so be sure to include them in your next box.

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If you've followed my gram for a while, you'll know I like to celebrate the hits (and misses) of my staff as they learn and grow, along their 🍫 journey.

Leif is very new to our team, but already displays the confidence and decisiveness that is needed from a chocolatier, especially when cracking out bonbons.

Together, we cracked and racked over 2,050pc in record time, freeing up some roll rack space, which we promptly refilled with more plaques... It never stops at this time of year.
#thechocolatelab #yyc #chocolate #bonbons #patisserie #yummy #tasty #pastryinspiration #chefsgossips #production #keepitdecorated #decoration #chocolatetalks #calgary #yyceats #instagood #canada #iamdowntownyyc #chinatown #yycnow

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At this time of year in our small production kitchen, it's not uncommon to be literally surrounded by plaques, while you work. As you finish one stack, three more have appeared beside you, and await your attention.

If you've been doing this a while, you get pretty used to the pace of production, of the season. But when you're new, it's a bit of an uphill battle.
Here's a Chocolate Lab salute to all newbies in the industry, facing down their 1st Xmas production cycle. You may be polishing plaques all day, but you're doing essential work. And #youvegotthis. 😀

#thechocolatelab

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I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.

#xmas #holidaze #production #matrix #randommoviequotes #redpillbluepill #thechocolatelab

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If you walk into our #chinatown chocolate shop, we have a large selection of chocolate products to choose from, whether you need a quick treat after a long day at work, or need a quick 35 custom boxes made for a last minute do.

Our front of house team is happy to serve you, and are even happier to suggest their fave flavours.

At this time of year, our front of house is hopping. I had to quickly snap this photo and vacate the area so @ericgumat could box these up while a customer waited patiently, nearby.

#thechocolatelab #yyc #chocolate #bonbons #edibleart #instagood #patisserie #yummy #tasty #pastryinspiration #explore #chefsgossips #chefsroll #calgary #iamdowntown #yyceats #handmade #christmas #gift #chtistmasgift #giftofchocolate #canada #yycnow

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I snuck out to the front of the #chinatown shop today to snap a quick showcase photo, between waves of crowds.
At this time of year, it's rare to see it full. But I got a few moments to restock it, and ran right out to the front with my camera, before it dwindled to nothing, again.

Its quite the sight, eh!

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Dang @stevehimm, thems some clean, shiny caps!

I love watching when newer members of my team level up, and demonstrate the skills they've learned while here, and especially during crunch season.

You can tell Stephen's been doing his reps. 💪💪 #thechocolatelab #yyc #chocolate #bonbons #patisserie #yummy #tasty #pastryinspiration #chefsgossips #production #tips #technique #decoration #chocolatetalks #calgary #yyceats #instagood #canada #iamdowntownyyc #chinatown #yycnow #doingthereps

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We crack em, we rack em, you buy em, we make em...lather, rinse, repeat.

At this time of year, we are just trying to stay ahead of the crush. It'll overtake us...it always does. Its just a matter of time.
But we'll go down swinging! 😉

#thechocolatelab #yyc #chocolate #bonbons #edibleart #instagood #patisserie #yummy #tasty #pastryinspiration #explore #chefsgossips #chefsroll #calgary #iamdowntown #yyceats #handmade #christmas #gift #chtistmasgift #giftofchocolate #canada #yycnow

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Its an emo 80s kind of morning, at the Lab. I typed in Breakfast Club into the Sonos playlist search, and I'm rocking to the Cure, Depeche mode, and other classics. And since I'm the only GenX in the kitchen this morning, I'm alone on my nostalgic journey through my childhood.

#80saesthetic #breakfastclub #80schild #thechocolatelab #yyc #holiday #holidaze #production #chocolateart #edibleart #chocolate #giftofchocolate #christmas

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It's the look upon their face when they open the box.

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I cracked out 2,048 bonbons earlier today, and only lost 2. Both losses were self inflicted.
Great team makes great work!
#teamworkmakesthedreamwork
#thechocolatelab #christmas #holiday #holidaze #giftofchocolate

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The early morning crew. The chocolate life.
#work #work #work #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
#thechocolatelab

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Just another manic Monday.

#work #work #work

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Putting 'er into 4th gear.

Xmas production madness is in full swing, here at the Lab. This is that time of year when every nook and corner of the kitchen is occupied, and we've got a multitude of people in various locations, all with one single mission...to bring you 🍫 happiness, this holiday season. Cheers!

And Santi, those shells... 👌

#thechocolatelab #yyc #chocolate #bonbons #patisserie #yummy #tasty #pastryinspiration #chefsgossips #production #xmas #decoration #chocolatetalks #calgary #yyceats #instagood #canada #iamdowntownyyc #chinatown #yycnow

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I've gotten a lot of requests over the years about how we do the stars in several of our flavours, like Marc, Little Blue Dress, Pumpkin Pie, and others... Its actually a lot simpler than it looks.

In this video, I'm using a small Wilton brush, bought from Michael's. My cocoa butter is a touch thicker, so I can make a clean imprint. I'll finish this later with a star print of a second colour, for a layered effect.

If you want to see other cool examples of this technique, check out a recent video, done by my bud, @andrey_dubovik. 🤙

#thechocolatelab #yyc #chocolate #bonbons #patisserie #yummy #tasty #pastryinspiration #chefsgossips #production #tips #technique #decoration #chocolatetalks #calgary #yyceats #instagood #canada #iamdowntownyyc #chinatown #yycnow

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