What to expect at a D & D birthday party ?

We are the only company in South Africa dedicated to chocolate workshops for any event so, after successfully placing 100's of children on a sugar high and then leaving them in the loving care of their delighted parents, I have decided to shed some light on exactly what can be expected at one of our children's workshops...

We usually arrive an hour before the host parents and birthday boy/girl to set up. From the minute they arrive there is great interest in how chocolate is melted, how the pink and blue chocolate is created and in the huge variety of goodies already being put out on the table. At this point the mom lets out a sigh of relief when realizing that we know what we are doing although it's something very different. She suddenly understands why no party packs were needed and why any other sweets would have been a waste as the chocolate feast starts taking shape. It also dawns on her that she will hate me later when her child is bouncing off the walls and keeps asking: "Mom, what's a truffle?" But she realizes that it's too late to back out now. So in an attempt to remain the world's best mom, she orders a chocolate vodka martini and calls a waiter over to rub her shoulders.

Once we give the signal, it's on. The children are approaching.... (Play Chariots of fire!) BUT just before they reach the table we manage to hold them back and insure that each of them are armed with a fashionable plastic apron.

All the children stand around the table and the workshop facilitator explains what is going to happen during the workshop.  Examples are made for the children to see and the various techniques are demonstrated. (depending on the selected package).

The children are then left to create their own chocolate goodies. Our slogan is "handmade by you" so no two chocolates are alike. We encourage children to really get creative without worrying about making a mess or getting chocolate on their hands, face, ears, arms, etc.

Once their works of art have dried the sugar usually kicks in and we have to assist them with packaging their chocolate into cellophane bags and tying them with ribbon. This is also usually the part of the workshops where the moms rack up the courage to ignore their inner diet voice and slowly but assertively creep to the table to dip a lost marshmallow or biscuit into dark chocolate. During this stage we look in front of us, focus on the packaging and we do not see anything. Nothing. 

Each child usually makes at least 3 packets of goodies. These children are usually a bit shy or have eaten the other 4 packets of chocolate already. Children take home between 3 and 10 packets of handmade goodies which serve as their goodie bags. One child made 35 packets. We have now employed her.

All in all, it is a completely different birthday party guaranteed to make the birthday boy or girl very happy, while mom does not have to worry about party packs, table cloths, chair covers or entertainment. We take care of it all. The only things parents sometimes add are a birthday cake and maybe some balloons.

So moms, why don't you have some wine (and chocolate) and let us take care of the rest?

Yours in Chocolate,

Lydia