ABOUT US

The people behind Taste of Chocolate come from backgrounds as varied as chocolate itself, but all of us are seriously passionate about the food of the gods.

Before any of us had any inkling that someday we’d be spending our days sharing this passion with others, we routinely devoured every tidbit of our favorite bean’s history and lore. We’d travel far and wide in search of new cacao-based experiences. Tracking down tiny boutique chocolatiers based on a wisp of a rumor. Seeking out high-profile experts to answer increasingly arcane questions. Along the way, of course, were endless tastings.

Eventually, it dawned on us that among friends and relatives, we ourselves were now considered the chocolate experts. The fact that all of us loved meeting new people and had rich experience in culinary event planning certainly didn’t hurt. Then, in early 2009, it seemed a lot of stars began to align. You could say that we founded a business. But it’s probably more accurate to say this business found us.

Remember that old saying about following your dreams? In our case, Taste of Chocolate is the delicious result.

DAVID __Founder, Ringleader, and Chief Taster

David Goldstein is a born entrepreneur. Dreaming up fun new business ventures is in his blood – just like chocolate. Fortunately for all of us, David’s wife Wendy and their three children wholeheartedly support the cacao addiction.

The path to Taste of Chocolate began with a stint as program director for Learning Adventure, a Boston-based education/recreation center. There, David organized ski and rafting tours, then went on to create a Boston bar tour that captured loads of attention (including that of The Wall Street Journal).

Hopelessly irrepressible, David next founded the acclaimed Mystery Café, America’s Original Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. His next startup, Teambonding, quickly became a leader in the intensely creative world of corporate team building. Teambonding has made the Inc. 5000 for the past three years running, and now divisions focused on philanthropic team building and culinary team building (Recipe For Success).

Chocolate historians will no doubt trace Taste of Chocolate’s origins back to David’s popular Chocolate Team Building events, which have now been enjoyed by literally hundreds of corporate groups across the U.S.  He and his family have always been avid travelers and big fans of well-planed food tours, so this latest business idea came naturally. Of all the companies David has launched, he fondly refers to this one as his passion business. Anyone who knows him at all well knows he isn’t kidding.

For the record, our founder’s current favorite chocolate indulgence is Fran’s Salt Caramels from the Seattle Tour de Chocolat (this happens to be Obama’s favorite as well). But then, David steadfastly reserves the right to have more than one favorite.

OUR CHOCO-GUIDES

It takes a very special person indeed to successfully fill this role. Knowledgeable, fun loving, outgoing, resourceful and at least mildly hedonistic. You just never know when you’ll run across another of these exceptional beings – they are few and far between – so we’re always on the lookout. We will introduce you to new Taste of Chocolate guides as they find their way into our little world.

KATIE__Lead Choco-Guide

With Katie, timing is everything.  While we were scouting out the Boston Chocolate Tour our scout Jill, was a little lost. Katie approached her and offered to help with a  warm, friendly smile and the help needed to get us back on track.  It turned out, Katie was one of the 100+ people that applied to be a Choco-Guide.  After meeting her, Jill hired her on the spot.

Originally from Utah, but a fan of moving to new places, Katie recently graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia with two degrees. She is a professional white water raft guide and recently moved from Asheville, North Carolina to spend her off-season in the city of Boston. When she is not guiding Chocolate Tours, she enjoys outdoor adventure sports, international travel, dark room photography, and the arts. While living in Boston she is hoping to learn how to sail.

OUR CHOCOLATIERS

Taste of Chocolate’s experienced chocolatiers will guide you through the art of making delicious truffles by hand using couverture chocolate, fresh ingredients and a variety of natural flavorings.

VALERIE__Creator of the Chocolate Workshop

Valerie Conyngham is a graduate of The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and earned her chocolate making stripes in the kitchen of Chez Henri. Valerie is a purist when it comes to chocolate making, using only the finest couverture and freshest ingredients. In addition to teaching chocolate making workshops with Taste of Chocolate she is bringing the joy of chocolate to Boston through the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay where she chairs the association’s Chocolate Group. Her chocolates have been featured at Toscanini’s Ice Cream and are currently available through private order.