Hey hey Food Explorers! In this episode, I am absolutely thrilled to interview Pam Williams and Alysha Kropf, two influential figures in the chocolate industry. Pam created Ecole Chocolat, an online chocolate school plus so much more! The school has trained some of the best chocolatiers and chocolate makers in the world! We chat about their journeys in chocolate making, the importance of education in the field, and the challenges faced by chocolatiers. And of course the importance of learning from mistakes, the impact of cocoa prices, and the value of community and partnerships in the chocolate business. Pam and Alysha share insights on the unique experiences offered at their chocolate school and the importance of understanding the world of chocolates. Chocolate is our love language, enjoy the episode! Find Ecole Chocolat here: Website: https://www.ecolechocolat.com/en/ Instagram:   / ecolechocolat   Facebook:   / ecolechocolat     FIND US ON ALL OUR PLATFORMS 💖📷 Instagram   / thefoodexplorerpodcast   🐧Twitter/X   / foodexppodcast   🟠📰 Substack https://substack.com/@thefoodexplorer... 💡🤝 Patreon   / thefoodexplorerpodcast   📌✨ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.ca/thefoodexplo... 00:00 Introduction to the Chocolate World 01:37 Pam's Journey in Chocolate 05:15 Alysha's Involvement and Family Legacy 08:11 Learning from Mistakes in Business 12:51 Challenges Faced by Students 15:20 The Importance of Hand Tempering 19:01 Navigating Price Increases in Chocolate 21:42 The Value of Local Partnerships 26:07 Experiential Learning in Chocolate Making 30:36 Understanding Cocoa Farming 34:29 Building Community in the Chocolate Industry 39:30 The Power of Collaboration 42:59 The Unique Voice of Each Chocolatier 45:47 Conclusion and Connection