Penn College News

Tasting the business of chocolate

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Photos by Jennifer Cline, writer/magazine editor

A Penn College student asks a question of Guittard Chololate Co.’s Laura Tornichio, who provided an educational session for baking and culinary students in the Thompson Professional Development Center.

Laura Tornichio, northeast territory sales manager for Guittard Chocolate Co., made a repeat visit to the Penn College campus last week to provide a lesson in the business of chocolate – along with a chocolate tasting – to students in the college’s baking and culinary majors. Tornichio explained the variety of chocolates available on the market and the meaning behind terms like single origin products, semisweet chocolate and Dutched cocoa. While teaching the students how their business decisions (choosing to serve only vegan products, for example) can narrow or widen their chocolate options, Tornichio guided them through a tasting of a variety of Guittard products.

Tornichio shows students a cacao pod.
Because texture and aroma vary between chocolates, students – including Emily E. Myers, of Catawissa – break chocolate wafers and smell them before tasting them.
Among elements of the tasting box are chocolate chip cookies made by baking & pastry arts students using the same dough but different Guittard chips.
Student Jeanita J. Pierre, of McConnellsburg, takes notes on each sample.
Sarah M. Kline, of Montoursville, shares her insight on baking with the various chocolate samples.
Baking & Culinary Students Industry Connections Industry Relations Business, Arts & Sciences

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