During our time in Ireland, we had a few business visits that were optional places. One place was The Chocolate Warehouse. It is described at the Willy Wonka factory of Ireland. Caffrey's Confectionary is the main brand of chocolate, but Caffrey's sells under other names as well. Caffrey's was founded in the 1930's and has been in the family for three generations. It is still a family owned business. Natasha Caffrey, the granddaughter of founder Thomas Caffrey, came up with the idea for The Chocolate Warehouse when she was asked how the chocolate and other treats were made. They are famous for their Snowballs, Tea Cakes, and Macaroon Bars.
The tour was based more for children and school groups, but I still learned quite a bit. After the tour, we got to decorate our own chocolates and had a competition. Our group was split into two teams. Of course, my team didn't include any of the professors. Each team decorated their chocolate and then waited. We had a face-off of questions involving the tour and history we had just learned about. The questions also involved recognizing scents and flavorings that are used in Caffrey's chocolates. My team managed to squeak out the win.
Needless to say, the simpleness of the a child's tour helped me learn so much more than I thought I would. Not only did it involve learning, but it was good to go back and experience a little bit more of childhood in this crazy world. It brought out a child in all of us who went, and the chocolate was a delicious treat!
The tour was based more for children and school groups, but I still learned quite a bit. After the tour, we got to decorate our own chocolates and had a competition. Our group was split into two teams. Of course, my team didn't include any of the professors. Each team decorated their chocolate and then waited. We had a face-off of questions involving the tour and history we had just learned about. The questions also involved recognizing scents and flavorings that are used in Caffrey's chocolates. My team managed to squeak out the win.
Needless to say, the simpleness of the a child's tour helped me learn so much more than I thought I would. Not only did it involve learning, but it was good to go back and experience a little bit more of childhood in this crazy world. It brought out a child in all of us who went, and the chocolate was a delicious treat!