Our team is thrilled to announce that Sarah Levine has been promoted to Lead Chocolatier! Ever since Sarah joined us almost two years ago, she has blazed a trail of masterful competence in all aspects of our profession. She has excelled in every way: from creating a prize-winning chocolate six months in (Silver medal for her Pecan Pralines Mendiant). She conquered all the complex chocolate-making aspects of our work, gradually taking over organizing our production so our team could collaborate in an ever efficient, seamless flow. Then, training our apprentice Ruby from day one in all the steps of chocolate production,...
Photo Credit Jonathan Nutt Our team is exhausted from our intense holiday season, but we feel very lucky. Our customers gifted us with a really good year, in spite of a devastating COVID season. But our luckiest break is that we.somehow managed to keep ourselves safe, at least so far. This is by no means a given considering how the latest variant has upended the lives of many around us, in spite of their best precautions. And as we know, it is infinitely easier to keep a chocolate shop safe than a restaurant. So as we...
Photo credit Winky Lewis Every fall, we introduce a new menu. Our team has extensive discussions as to what chocolates to cycle out of the lineup, and what new tastes to introduce. Since I started the business seven years ago, only three chocolates are still with us: Salted Caramel, Passion Vanilla and Pistachio Raspberry, none of which can ever go away lest we have a customer mutiny! We have limited space in our case, so use a rotation system with monthly introductions. Everyone on the team is responsible for new confections. It has allowed a rich tapestry of fresh tastes...
September 12 marked our third birthday at 189 Brackett! Half that time was marked by the pandemic, but our team is stronger for the pivoting and having had to adapt. At least, our business' very existence wasn't threatened as it was for our restaurant-owning friends and colleagues, so we count ourselves very lucky. The core of what we built during those 36 months is a bond with our loyal regulars and a connection with all our visitors. We truly feel that we have become a little piece of the fabric of our West End community. All four of us (Catherine,...
Photo credit Winky Lewis Karen Watterson, the editor of the iconic 'Eat Drink Lucky' daily posts, also writes a blog dedicated to her favorite food group, dessert! Sweet on Maine covers the delicious possibilities of our great state, and we are proud to announce that its latest entry focuses on our French Mendiants. Karen first goes back to the origins of the meaning in medieval France before delving into our modern take on one of our favorite offerings. She spent much time with Sarah and me as we took her through our intricate production process. Please click on this link...
September 12 will mark our third anniversary at 189 Brackett! We have seen the demand for our ever expanding offerings explode over those 34 months, creating shortages at every chocolate holiday. Yet, our little team really needs a break so we can enter the busy fall/winter season with renewed energy. By closing the shop for three weeks, we will be able to both take a break and to do intensive production to build our stocks. From July 26 to August 1, the shop will be closed and orders will not ship/ will not be available for pickup. Everyone on...
