Oct
31
From Sherwood Park, AB Sgt Miok joined the military at age 17 in 1998, following in his father’s footsteps. He served a tour of duty in Bosnia in 2002 and his first mission in Afghanistan in 2006. In 2009 Sgt Miok departed for his second mission in Afghanistan. His trademark response to why he was …
In remembrance of a Canadian hero, Sgt. George Miok Read More »
Sep
18
For those of you who have yet to experience the delicious, chocolatey goodness that is the cocoa nib, it’s never too late! Especially these days in which we are seeing the nib used in exciting sweet and savoury culinary dishes or at your favourite smoothie bar. Cocoa nibs are small pieces of crushed cocoa beans. …
Jun
17
Excited, slightly nervous and exhausted, I arrived in Colombia after a 30 hour journey from Edmonton to Santa Marta, on the north coast skirted by the Caribbean ocean. I knew that I would learn a lot of technical details about cacao, farming and processes, but little did I know how much this trip would give …
Chocolate As a Means For Connection & Transformation Read More »
Apr
05
Prize: Two of your very own custom JACEK chocolate eggs filled with goodies and of course all the bragging rights! We encourage you to keep one for yourself, and to spread joy with the other by gifting it 🙂 > Click here for the Colouring Sheet < Contest Rules: 1) Must be submitted at one …
Jan
08
Retail Associate – Downtown (Part-time/Weekends) JACEK is a small Alberta-based business that is committed to spreading joy through fine, fashionable chocolate. We are a detail- oriented, joyful and creative team that wants to make a difference in the communities that we serve. We are looking to hire a Retail Associate to join our small but …
Hiring: Retail Position (Weekends downtown Edmonton) Read More »
Jul
24
Good vibrations! Our #oldies truffle encompasses that feeling of nostalgia for the golden oldies! Encased by decadent dark chocolate, our creamy cherry cola ganache takes you back to a time of mom & pop shops, vintage cars and polka dots! Our Summer 2018 collection, The Playlist, is a reflection of 6 different genres of music …
Feb
28
Last year, JACEK launched the inaugural Easter Chocolate Designer contest, and it brought so much joy that we wanted to do it again! There will be 4 winners in total- one for each boutique (Sherwood Park, Edmonton and Canmore) and one for social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram). Each winner will receive three replicas of …
Easter Frog Colouring Contest 2018- printable page Read More »
Jan
02
The Winter Collection 2016/2017 contains an assortment of 6 decadent chocolates, flavours from past collections. It is enjoyable to revisit some favourite flavours, and try new pairings. A rich bold truffle, that pairs beautifully with Compass Box Spice Tree. Café de Olla: Spiced dark chocolate mocha ganache infused with orange zest and spices, like cinnamon and clove …
An Innovative Pairing Café de olla and Compass Box Spice Tree Read More »
Sep
26
Click here if you are interested in the Boutique Manager role in Canmore (Full-time) Retail Associate – Canmore (Part-Time) JACEK is a small Alberta-based business that is committed to spreading joy through fine, fashionable chocolate. We are a detail- oriented, joyful and creative team looking for someone to work alongside us to grow our brand, …
Aug
08
Sometimes finding the perfect pairing requires a little work, and help from a friend. Here is the story of my search for the perfect pairing for the Lemonade Truffle. My first reaction when reading the truffles for the Picnic Basket Collection, Summer 2016 was: Lemonade Truffle! Bourbon! I love lemonade and Bourbon…sitting on the porch …
In Pursuit of a Joyful Pairing, by Sasha McCauley Read More »
Jun
13
Guest Post by Sasha McCauley: Father’s Day is this Sunday, time to spoil Dad with the limited edition JACEK Root Beer Float Truffle, paired with a bottle of BenRiach 15 yr old Sauternes cask Single Malt. One of the first tastings JACEK and I did included this pairing, it is a favorite of mine, one …
Jun
11
JACEK Chocolate Couture started back in December 2009 with the vision of combining two facets of joy; fashion and fine chocolate. With this in mind, a business was created where a new line of artisan bonbons (truffles) was created for each fashion season. The unique model of seasonal collections is a platform for continuous evolution …
A joyful new step for JACEK- The Fabric Collection (Bean-to-Bar) Read More »
Jun
09
In 2015, JACEK Chocolate launched it’s inaugural bean-to-bar collection (read more about why), and we want to show you how it is done, and how the bean becomes chocolate in 12 days! Chef Curtis Jones, Head Chocolate Maker, shows the process of making chocolate once the cocoa beans have arrived at JACEK’s studio in Sherwood …
May
31
Not many people argue when I say that I have the best job in the world, and my latest adventure to Costa Rica brings even more weight to this claim! As you may know, JACEK started a bean-to-bar collection in 2015 (read why), and the goal of this is to take it a step further …
May
18
The ‘Art, Chocolate, Wine and Flowers’ event held at FaBLOOMosity’s beautiful floral studio on Sunday, May 15th 2016, was a huge success. 100 people joined us for an unforgettable day. As promised to guests, we wanted to share the notes for the wines and chocolate pairings (a big thank you to Sasha McCauley for compiling …
May
17
A huge thank you to everyone that came to the ‘Art, Wine, Chocolate & Flowers 2016’ tasting event last weekend! Many of you asked for the recipe for the welcome cocktail, so as promised, you can find the details below. This drink is very easy to make, super refreshing and of course beautiful! FabBLOOM Cointreau …
Apr
27
We are so honored to have Giselle Denis (local fine artist), collaborate with JACEK to create an amazing collection to celebrate mom’s this Mother’s Day, and to have her help us to hand-paint the chocolate molds. Check out some of the pics of our fun day together! We are super excited that Giselle has transformed …
The Mother’s Day Collection 2016- behind the scenes Read More »
Feb
02
A few helpful tips: 1) Please note that we ship online orders using Canada Post, so you want to make sure that you allow 5 business days for your order to arrive by Feb 12th. Valentine’s falls on a Sunday this year, so you’ll want your order to arrive on the Friday prior. 2) If …
Tips for ordering chocolates online for Valentine’s Day 2016 Read More »
Dec
22
As Christmas is around the corner, we are no longer shipping any more parcels as they will not arrive before Christmas. We will resume shipping of orders on Jan 4th, 2016 when we are confident that parcels won’t be sitting in the Canada Post depot over the holidays. Please note that our Sherwood Park store …
Chocolate Shipping Cut-Off (resumes Jan 4th)/ Holiday store hours Read More »
Nov
30
The JACEK Advent Calendar starts tomorrow, and what could be more decadent to start the countdown to Christmas than pairings for the first three days of December, as seen on the CTV Morning Live segment last week! PAIRING for Day #1: dark chocolate from the Dominican Republic Paired with a French Raclette from Cavern Mountain …
Pairings for Day #1, #2 & #3 of the Advent Calendar Read More »
Nov
12
About the Fabric Collection Within the chocolate industry, there are two types of producers; the chocolate maker and the chocolatier. Like most things at JACEK, the best way to explain the difference is to use a fashion analogy. The chocolate maker is essentially the fabric-maker, using raw products (cacao beans, sugar) to create fabrics. The …
Pairing Suggestions with the JACEK Fabric Collection Read More »
Oct
15
A huge thank you to everyone who purchased a Bulembu Collection this summer for the ‘container shipping‘ project- 100% of the proceeds from the chocolates were donating, resulting in over $7,000! Kudos to Sherry Dorsey and her team who collected, sorted and packed all of the items for the container! Check out the photos of …
The container filled with items for Bulembu has sailed! Read More »
Oct
14
How could we possibly launch a Marie-Antoinette Collection, and not take the opportunity to do a photoshoot to celebrate her, and this amazing time of opulence! Randall MacDonald and I got all dolled up on a hot summer’s day (like, really hot!) to take some shots for a collection that would be launching 4 months …
Marie-Antoinette Collection 2015 Photo Shoot… Chocolate, champagne, and JOY! Read More »
Oct
14
We are so excited for the launch of the Winter Collection 2015 this Friday, October 16th! We met with Randall MacDonald nearly a year ago, where he shared some of his research and love of the eighteenth century. The Note: When Jacqueline Jacek asked me to work with her team as they develop their Marie-Antoinette …
A note from Randall MacDonald- the inside scoop on the Marie-Antoinette Collection! Read More »
Jul
14
A wonderful team of Bulembu supporters and volunteers are putting together the items needed in Bulembu, to include in a shipment leaving in late fall. Please note that they are only sending lightly used/or new clothing as the space in the container is limited, so we want to ensure that the goods that are being …
May
01
When the invitation arrived for the opening of the new Valrhona Ecole in Brooklyn, I thought about it for approximately 8 milliseconds, before deciding that this was an opportunity that could not be missed. With only three full days in New York, there was barely even a chance to touch on some of the experiences …
Apr
19
Thanks so much to Sasha McCauley @ASmashingLife for putting together these amazing pairings! Tha Mad Hatter’s Collection is only available until May 23rd 2015.
Mar
22
These scones are the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Thanks to our wonderful 104th Boutique Manager, Jamie Dixon, for developing this amazing recipe: DULCEY & CHEDDAR SCONES Ingredients: 3 cups All Purpose Flour ¼ tsp Salt 3 tbsp Sugar 2 tbsp Baking Powder 1 cup buttermilk 2 eggs ¾ cup cold unsalted butter 1 cup …
Feb
19
Chris Arnold, of Devine Wines & Spirits, created four fabulous pairings for those that might want to do a tasting at home, and great news, Devine Wines is right across the street from our 104th street location so you can make the 4th Street Promenade a one-stop-‘shop’. 2012 Campolargo Brut Rose – Petite Jackie …
Feb
11
We have extended our normal retail hours to make it more convenient for you to purchase your loved ones Valentine’s Chocolates. The boutiques will be open on Thursday Feb 12th & Friday Feb 13th as follows: Sherwood Park (406 Kaska Road): 9am-7pm Edmonton, Downtown (10140-104th Street): 10am- 9pm Just a reminder that if you are …
Feb
06
A great alternative to going out this Valentine’s Day (especially for those with little ones) is to have a date night at home! Geoff, Chelsea and the team at Credo Coffee had the ‘difficult job’ (dripping with sarcasm, of course) of drinking coffee and tasting chocolate this afternoon to find some exceptional pairings. These will …
Valentine’s Coffee & Chocolate Pairing Recommendations Read More »
Feb
05
February 14th, Valentine’s Day, is the one specific day a year we go out to purchase gifts specifically to show our loved ones just how much we do indeed love them. But does anyone know why we do? Why, out of 364 other days, do we choose this one to show our affection and appreciation? …
Jan
09
This Valentine’s Day (Saturday, Feb 14th, 2015), we have partnered with Credo Coffee and Charton-Hobbs Inc. for a great evening of learning, fun and fine products. This two hour event will be a series of mini-tastings (3 samples in each), starting with champagne (Moёt & Chandon), then coffee (Intelligentsia) and finishing with chocolate by yours …
Champagne, Coffee and Chocolate Tasting for Valentine’s Day! Read More »
Dec
23
In observation of the holiday season, JACEK Boutique hours will be as follows: Sherwood Park Location (406 Kaska Road, Sherwood Park, AB, T8A 4G8) Tues, Dec 23rd: 9am-4pm Wed, Dec 24th: 9am-noon. Re-Opening on Jan 5th, 2015 104st Location (10140-104th St, Edmonton, AB, T5J 1A7) Tues, Dec 23rd: 10am-6pm Wed, Dec 24th: 10am-2pm Thurs, Dec …
Nov
14
As promised, please find below the pairing recommendations that were made in the Chocolate Demonstration at Christmas in November 2014: Cheese & Artisan Chocolate Bar Pairings (all cheese’s from Quebec) Caprano Goat Cheese (soft & buttery) with the Audrey Bar Soeur Angele (double cream rind cheese) with the Frank Bar Le Douanier (semi soft …
JACEK Pairing Recommendations- Christmas in November 2014 Guests Read More »
Nov
12
Firstly, a huge thank you to those that attended the JACEK Chocolate session at Christmas in November 2014 at the Jasper Park Lodge. As promised please find below the instructions on how to temper chocolate to create your beautiful pieces for Christmas (remember, be innovative and think outside the box when it comes to flavour …
Tempering Chocolate- Christmas in November Guests Read More »
Sep
23
Better Know Thy Cocoa Nib by Kirk Bueckert, Chef & JACEK Chocolate Chocolatier As yet another autumn begins, many of us will be daydreaming of turkey dinners and pumpkin spice lattes. Though ‘tis the season of time honored staples, we Chocolatiers remember a less conventional member of the holiday pantry: the cocoa nib. An integral …
Jul
28
*|GRAND OPENING – 104th Street Boutique|* We are very excited to announce that the new JACEK boutique will finally be opening this week! At last, it is time to remove the paper screen on the windows to reveal the beautiful industrial chic space that is ‘the salon’ for our line of artisan chocolates on the …
Jul
10
Fine Chocolate Sales Associate Job Description JACEK Chocolate Couture is an award-winning chocolatier based in Sherwood Park, AB and we are excited to be opening a flagship boutique downtown Edmonton in July 2014. www.jacekchocolate.com Overview JACEK Chocolate Couture is currently seeking a motivated and outgoing chocolate lover for our sales team to help us …
Jun
19
I had the pleasure of sitting down with the lovely Stephanie Medford, Local Good Writer, a few weeks ago to chat about JACEK Chocolate, and our imminent growth with our second location on 104th St (and Jasper Ave) in Edmonton. The expansion is starting to feel real!! Enjoy the read: http://www.thelocalgood.ca/innovative-chocolatier-jacqueline-jacek-opens-location-on-104-street/
Jun
09
It is hard to believe that another school year is nearly coming to an end! We wanted to share a few great gift ideas under $15 from JACEK Chocolate, in the event that you want to say ‘thank you’ with something sweet! TOP 3 IDEAS 1) 6-piece Colours Collection 2014 ($13) We recently launched a …
Apr
28
Decadent Molten Lava Cake recipe… a yummy idea for a Mother’s Day dessert!
Apr
27
In an effort to better serve Edmonton, we are excited to announce the opening of a second location downtown Edmonton. Our new boutique will be on the 104st Promenade (north of Jasper Ave), which is my favorite street in the City. It is bursting with charm and like-minded businesses; and we are truly looking forward …
Mar
17
As many of you know, the JACEK Team created a Bulembu Collection of chocolates last summer, with 100% of the proceeds donated to Bulembu. We raised over $9,500 which was the cost to restore a home for 6 orphaned children living in this town filled with hope. Click here for more information on the project! …
Feb
22
Per my previous blog posting, my parents and their cousins Simone and Pat are still in Bulembu as voluntourists. Simone sent me a couple more thoughts from their time on Safari, which I wanted to share. This is making me think that maybe we should do an ‘Africa Inspired’ Collection: From Simon Demers-Collins: I …
An ‘Africa Inspired’ Collection? Thoughts by Simone Demers-Collins Read More »
Feb
20
My parents (Margo & Tom) and my mom’s cousin (Simone & Pat) are currently in Bulembu as voluntourists! I wanted to post one of Simone’s notes that she sent today (more to come soon!): They say that food is one of the great unifying elements of people… and this is truly evident in this …
A perspective from Bulembu – By Simone Demers-Collins Read More »
Jan
20
Behind the scenes at JACEK Chocolate Couture- a short video.
Jan
09
January tends to be a dreary month; with the end of the holidays and the frigid weather, so we wanted to dedicate a day to Spread Joy this month! On January 16th, we will sponsor spreading joy by giving away 150 boxes of our Black Tie Collection to people who want to make someone’s day. We …
We are sponsoring you to ‘Pay it Forward’- Jan 16th, 2014 Read More »
