Rock Stars & M&Ms

People often discuss the colors of M&Ms. They have indeed changed the color mix of those shell coated chocolate discs over the years. Today when you open a pack you will find blue and, of course, red is back after being omitted for many years due to a red dye scare. We may never know how the rumor about the magical powers of green M&Ms was started but everyone's heard about rock stars requesting copious bowls of ONLY green M&Ms.

Swirling around the color conversation is the subject of rockers banning brown M&Ms. Now, we have some pretty hard evidence about Van Halen's brown M&Ms prejudices.

According to David Lee Roth, Halen's sometime frontman, so many music promoters did not read the rider in the VH contract (which according to Roth was as huge as a "Chinese phone book") that they added the unique clause so they could ascertain if the VH contract had been read thoroughly. In an interview, David Lee Roth said the outlandish request was to insure the music tour went safely, among other reasons. Read more about Van Halen's very specific requirements and the ABSOLUTELY NO BROWN M&Ms warning in this NPR article.

Happy Valentine's Day

A Balloon Heart. These were made and sold on Park Avenue by a cute, crafty couple.
He sculpted the balloons and she sold them. $20-$30 each. 

Hershey's Sweet Milk Chocolate Kisses from an 1920 advertisement. At the time, Kisses retailed for 1-cent for two (2) foil wrapped (by hand!) pieces. By 1921 a wrapping machine would wrap Kisses along with the paper plume bearing the Hershey's brand name.

A BIG Kiss on display in a
New York shop window
Feb. 14th, 2012

I started this Valentine post about Hershey Kisses but throughout the day was surprised by some the Valentine whimsy around me. First, walking down Broadway around lunchtime I saw a huge Kiss in the window of Paragon Sports. Then, on my way home I saw a couple making oversized balloon heart sculptures that to me were much cooler than a dozen roses. facebook.com/valentinesballoon. Hope you had a very sweet day!

Martha Stewart TV and beyond

Martha Stewart's "Super Snack" Superbowl show last Friday was fun to watch live from the front row of her TV studio. The actual football game was pretty fun to watch too but I watched that on Sunday from the front row of a couch.

The candy on the Martha Stewart TV set looked great if I do say so myself! Valentine colored candies, mints and lollipops from Gimbal's, Hammond's Candies and Jelly Belly all glistened from vintage style apothecary jars and fabulous footed candy dishes.

Martha has yet to announce where her TV show will land but it won't be back on Hallmark... which is probably good since many long-time viewers had a difficult time finding it.

Down in D.C. visiting with the National Confectioners Association this week I was reminded that I have a great NCA vintage ribbon badge in my collection. It was likely given to attendees of the 15th annual confectioners convention that took place in Chicago in 1898. My picture here is slightly fuzzy but the very proud eagle on the medallion is sitting on a globe with the word purity written around it. For 114 years old it is really beautiful and I think may end up in D.C. one day....

We're getting ready for the second annual Sweet and Snack Expo Art Show. This year's exhibit will be terrific. The show will featuring dresses and a "living" section inspired by confections and snacks. Stay sweet.

Make your own Valentine's Day Candy!

An assortment of my vintage
Valentine's candy and chocolate
 packaging

It's sooner than you think. Less than two weeks away is the ultimate sweeties day, Valentine's Day. This year, on Feb. 13th, right before Valentine's Day, I am instructing a very special class at the Institute of Culinary Education. Why not share your true LOVE with some handmade confectionery treats?

A selection of candy displayed in lovely
confectionery jars!

What's on the menu? Alongside Teresia (my amazing assistant and ICE grad) and me, you'll make beautiful yet simple Chocolate Hearts, delightful & "not-your-grandmother's" Cherry Bonbons, Pretty Plums, fluffy Pomegranate Rose Marshmallows and you'll send a clear message with chocolate LOVE Bark. 


Please email me me if you want more information about the class or the confections we will be whipping up for Valentine's Day.