Try Local Tasting Event Showcases New Gourmet Artisan Chocolate Company
January 16, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16th 2022
Annette Freetage, Marketing Director
Gresham Ford
503-665-0101
Annette@GreshamFord.com
Try Local Tasting Event Showcases New Gourmet Artisan Chocolate Company
Elevate Your Chocolate Tastes at Junki’s Riverview Restaurant Tuesday, January 25th 2022
Gresham, Oregon: Gresham Ford today announced their renewed sponsorship of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center’s Try Local First Campaign. The program was developed by the Chamber Board of Directors over a decade ago with the goal of educating, advocating, and collaborating with the Gresham Area community.
Bring awareness of additions to the local business community and new products available in the local Gresham area is what the Try Local First Campaign is all about. Forging connections and inspiring networking between busy business owners and operators build an economic climate of support and resiliency. Many believe the pandemic has made this culture more important than ever.
Encouraging Gresham Area residents to try to shop local first has been a passion of the Gresham Ford Dealer for over a decade. There are a multitude of well documented benefits to choosing to spend your consumer dollars locally as opposed to alternatives like Amazon. The City of Gresham recently reported that there are 2,893 businesses registered in Gresham. The Gresham Chamber’s Try Local First Campaign regularly shares fun facts meant to encourage local shopping. For instance, the Huffington Post reported that, “if every family in the U.S. spent an extra $10 a month at a locally owned, independent business instead of a national chain, over $9.3 billion would be directly returned to our economy.”
Join the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Gresham Ford for a genuine French gourmet chocolate tasting from a local Gresham Area Chocolate Business. See more event details at https://bit.ly/TryLocalFirst
About Gresham Ford: This community minded Ford Dealership is locally owned and operated by Bess Wills, General Manager/Co-Owner, and her family. Her personal devotion to the Gresham Area has been highlighted by her 2013 tenure as the Board President of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce. Her focal point was the continued economic development and strengthening of the Gresham Area. This independently owned Oregon Ford Dealership has grown to be known as the Dealer with a Heart for her impassioned support of local non-profits and businesses alike. In 2003, the “Contribute to the Community” program began her three-prong approach. When you choose to service your vehicle with Gresham Ford or the Gresham Quick Lane and Tire Center, Bess will donate 10% (up to $100) to the non-profit of your choosing. Just ask! When you purchase any new or used vehicle at Gresham Ford, Bess will donate $100 to the charity of your choice. Just ask! The third prong is her continued partnership and sometimes creative support of local fundraisers and events well focused on strengthening the Gresham area.
Annette Freetage, Marketing Director
Gresham Ford
503-665-0101
Annette@GreshamFord.com
Try Local Tasting Event Showcases New Gourmet Artisan Chocolate Company
Elevate Your Chocolate Tastes at Junki’s Riverview Restaurant Tuesday, January 25th 2022
Gresham, Oregon: Gresham Ford today announced their renewed sponsorship of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center’s Try Local First Campaign. The program was developed by the Chamber Board of Directors over a decade ago with the goal of educating, advocating, and collaborating with the Gresham Area community.
“While not an Oregon native, I am regularly surprised by the wide variety of gourmet food options in our community. Recently I received an opportunity to be introduced a newcomer to the Gresham Area business community and taste chocolate! Similar to a artisan wine tasting, we thoroughly enjoyed the artisan French made chocolate tasting.” Recounted Bess Wills, Co-Owner and General Manager of Gresham Ford.
Tuesday, January 25th 2022 from 4:30PM to 6:00PM the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the monthly Try Local First event at Junki’s Riverview Restaurant located at 29311 Stark Street, Troutdale, OR 97060. The event is showcasing one of the newest additions to the Gresham Area Chamber, Chocolat-e. This new gourmet, artisan, small-batch, and French made chocolate with single source cocoa through a partnership with Valrhona. True chocolate aficionados and pastry chefs worldwide demand Valrhona chocolate not only for the highest quality but also for their dedication to sustainable ethical sourcing. “You should see their face when our chocolate hits their taste buds!”. Jeanyves Verdu, co-founder, never tires of the unexpected pleasure of his customers. “Chocolate is a truly amazing ingredient, especially the one we’re sourcing. Our chocolate is so complex and rich in savors that we’re using it naked, without inclusion nor addition,” he explains. “Customers never experienced gourmet chocolate before, that’s why we are taking them through a chocolate experience. Most of them have never experienced chocolate like that before.” The cocoa -- 100% single origin and probably the finest one ever produced -- is provided by Valrhona. The recipes are created by Frédéric Cassel, Best Pastry Chef, 1999 and 2007, President of the French Team, Pastry world cup winner, 2013. “To me, chocolate -- like wine -- is a terroir. The percentage of cocoa was a trick invented by manufacturers, and that it is secondary to the typicality of its terroir,” says Frédéric Cassel who leveled the four Dark chocolates at the same percentage: 72% (Madagascar, Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Mexico). So consumers can focus on each chocolate’s aroma. Tasting is a very personal experience, related to one’s perceptions, memories, and reconnections. It also relies on one’s ability to translate sensations into words. “Chocolate needs to be melted to a certain temperature to release its aroma”, says Norm Rice, co-founder. “We teach customers what professionals know. After our tastings, they thank us for ‘enlightening them and forcing them to take their time to taste chocolate!’”
Bring awareness of additions to the local business community and new products available in the local Gresham area is what the Try Local First Campaign is all about. Forging connections and inspiring networking between busy business owners and operators build an economic climate of support and resiliency. Many believe the pandemic has made this culture more important than ever.
Encouraging Gresham Area residents to try to shop local first has been a passion of the Gresham Ford Dealer for over a decade. There are a multitude of well documented benefits to choosing to spend your consumer dollars locally as opposed to alternatives like Amazon. The City of Gresham recently reported that there are 2,893 businesses registered in Gresham. The Gresham Chamber’s Try Local First Campaign regularly shares fun facts meant to encourage local shopping. For instance, the Huffington Post reported that, “if every family in the U.S. spent an extra $10 a month at a locally owned, independent business instead of a national chain, over $9.3 billion would be directly returned to our economy.”
“Henry Ford reminds us that a business that makes nothing but money is a poor business,” says Preston Wills, General Sales Manager at Gresham Ford. “The overall economic health and prosperity of the Gresham business community effects all local business owners. Our community is stronger when we support, encourage, and inspire each other. We feel that the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce spurs that culture by offering so many networking events. This is my favorite event because I learn so much and get to meet people new to the Gresham community. And besides, who can say no to a chocolate tasting?”
Join the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Gresham Ford for a genuine French gourmet chocolate tasting from a local Gresham Area Chocolate Business. See more event details at https://bit.ly/TryLocalFirst
About Gresham Ford: This community minded Ford Dealership is locally owned and operated by Bess Wills, General Manager/Co-Owner, and her family. Her personal devotion to the Gresham Area has been highlighted by her 2013 tenure as the Board President of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce. Her focal point was the continued economic development and strengthening of the Gresham Area. This independently owned Oregon Ford Dealership has grown to be known as the Dealer with a Heart for her impassioned support of local non-profits and businesses alike. In 2003, the “Contribute to the Community” program began her three-prong approach. When you choose to service your vehicle with Gresham Ford or the Gresham Quick Lane and Tire Center, Bess will donate 10% (up to $100) to the non-profit of your choosing. Just ask! When you purchase any new or used vehicle at Gresham Ford, Bess will donate $100 to the charity of your choice. Just ask! The third prong is her continued partnership and sometimes creative support of local fundraisers and events well focused on strengthening the Gresham area.
Contact:
Annette Freetage, Director of Digital Solutions
annette@greshamford.com, (503) 489-1605
