The South of the James Winter Farmer’s market will be open for business on Saturday for your post Christmas purchasing.  I just saw that Norwood Cottage Bakery will be there and I am sure that other vendors will be as well. The market runs from 10 – 12 at 5047 Forest Hill Avenue between the Forest and the Locker Room and in front of Blanchard’s and Chocolate’s by Kelly.

Posting this now because I plan to spend most of tomorrow unwrapping the thousands and thousands of gifts under my tree.

Local food blog, River City Food and Wine gave a shout out to local coffee roaster, Blanchard’s Coffee and Chocolates by Kelly, which they discovered while visiting the first, and so far only, South of the James Winter Market. Does anyone have confirmation that the market will be open December 26th in its winter home at 5047 Forest Hill Avenue?

Blanchard’s Coffee is open and being operated by yours truly. Come on in and get some sweet, sweet, caffeine. How long I stay open today will depend on how busy it becomes, right now I am all by myself. Chocolates by Kelly is snow-bound so they are not open but you can get your Christmas chocolate on Monday.

Update: The shop stayed open until 12 now I am safely home drinking beer watching English soccer, like a good red-blooded American.

Just saw on Twitter that Blanchard’s Coffee will be staying open until 2:00 p.m. through Christmas Eve. Normally they close at 11:30 a.m. so now all you coffee addicts can get your bean on for an extra 2 1/2 hours.  While you are there make sure and check out Chocolates by Kelly’s new space on the first floor it looks as great as the chocolate tastes.

Summer is quickly ending and so are Chocolates by Kelly candy making classes. Don’t worry though there are still three left and you can get your little one enrolled.

• July 29th – Molded Chocolates – Fun Shapes and Colors
• August 5th – Carmel Apples
• August 12th -  Mix Your Own Ice Cream Day!!!!

Ages 12 and older meet at 12:30 – 1:30. Ages 6-11 meet at 2pm.
All classes include stuff to take home for the family! Woo hoo.

For more information, or to sign up, give Kelly a call at 804-814-5496.

Received the email below from Kelly letting us know about some new classes she has added. I haven’t been to a class but saw the pictures of one of the kid classes and it looked like everyone had a blast.

I wanted to let you know that I’ve added some new dates to the class schedule for July. Mark your calendars, and check out DATE NITE!

Read more >

Photo by Page.H

Are you looking for ways to keep your kids entertained this summer? Kelly of Chocolates by Kelly, is offering up a slew of candy classes for kids 6 and up.

So I know what you’re thinking. “What am I going to do with the kids this summer????” Well FEAR NOT, I’ve got just the thing. Have your little ones join me every Wednesday for the Summer Kids Confectionary Program, beginning June 17th and continuing through August 12th.  Ages 12 and older  meet at 12:30 – 1:30. Ages 6-11 meet at 2pm.

Sign up for the summer or pick and choose your favorite class subjects.

June 17th – SALTWATER TAFFY
June 24th – CHOCOLATE DIPPING CLASS
July 1st – ROCK CANDY
July 8th – CHOCOLATE LEAVES, CURLS, SPRINKLES, & DECORATIONS
July 15th – FROZEN COOKIE SANDWICHES
July 22nd – ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE MILK MIX
July 29th – MOLDED CHOCOLATES – FUN SHAPES AND COLORS
August 5th – CARAMEL APPLES
August 12th – MIX YOUR OWN ICE CREAM DAY!!!!

All classes include stuff to take home for the family! Woo hoo.

HOW MUCH: Classes are $20 each or save $45 and sign up for the whole summer for $135.

For more information, or to sign up, give me a call!   Please sign up ahead of time, so I know how many to plan for.

See you soon!     Kelly 804-814-5496

These classes will be hands on, messy fun for the kids. We’ll learn how to make a variety of easy, kid friendly confections and decorations that children can take home with them after class. All materials are included.

WHEN: EVERY WEDNESDAY 6/17 thru 8/12
WHERE: BLANCHARD’S COFFEE SHOP, 5047 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond 23225
WHO: AGES 12 and UP 12:30pm – 1:30pm
AGES 6-11 2:00pm – 3:00pm
HOW MUCH: Classes are $20 each or save $45 and sign up for the whole summer for $135.

For more information, please email me (chocolatesbykelly@gmail.com), or Kelly M. Walker call at 804-814-5496. Class sizes are limited to 10 students each.

Speaking as someone who has enjoyed Chocolates by Kelly these classes should be a fun and tasty treat. Also Kelly is selling some treats at the Farmer’s Market be sure and check it out.

Today’s Style Weekly has a story on Kelly Walker, owner of Chocolates by Kelly which operates out of the Blanchard’s Coffee at 5047 Forest Hill Avenue. The entrance is off the back alley and you will find both coffee and chocolate upstairs.

Unlike some artisans, Walker doesn’t mind sharing her secrets, and teaches monthly classes on the art of confection-making. She hand tempers single-origin Venezuelan chocolate and occasionally Belgian or American chocolates and constantly experiments with new flavor combinations such as balsamic-strawberry chocolate or lemon-mint.

“If there were ever a magical food, it would be chocolate. It’s the food of gods and has been used as currency,” she says. “The way it crosses over class lines is what I find to be so fascinating about it. Everybody loves chocolate or knows someone who does.”

I can speak from experience when I say how awesome the chocolate tastes. For Super Bowl Kelly did a mix of carmel popcorn, chocolate covered pretzels, marshmellows and peanuts that was “kick-rhymes with bass”. If you want to impress someone on Valentines Day you can’t go wrong with Chocolates by Kelly.