2010 Winner for the second year in the Oregon Chocolate Festival.

Category: Best Chocolate Candy (Best Marriage of Chocolate and Candy)

Best: Homemade Confections – English Toffee

Judith and all of her hard work has paid off again. I’m sharing this with our IFWTWA members because those of us on the 2010 Conference at Sea had the opportunity of tasting this delicious treat.

Judith makes English Toffee with bittersweet chocolate and hand roasted almonds. This is Homemade Confections signature product.

Her Peanut Brittle is made with hand roasted peanuts and sweet cream butter which is cooked until light, airy and crisp!

Homemade Confections Gourmet Dessert Topping is another favorite made from bits and pieces of English Toffee, Peanut Brittle, milk chocolate covered macadamia nuts and semi-sweet chocolate covered cashews. I’ve folded this into cheesecake and sprinkled some on top. It is also great on ice cream.

Judith always welcomes custom orders and challenges. She is great to interview.

You can call her at 541 690 9751 or
e-mail: homemadeconfections.medford@yahoo.com

Judith Galindo, Owner

Fortunately, I have not needed to use the all natural non-pesticide Rest Easy Cinnamon Scented Bed Bug Spray on any IFWTWA press trips.

Unfortunately, I did have a bad experience on a road trip a few years ago. Oh, how I wish I would have had this product.

Now that I have this organic spray in a travel size bottle, it will go in my suitcase. I would rather be prepared than itching.

What is great is that Rest Easy is available just about everywhere from Amazon to Bed, Bath and Beyond. When I looked it up on-line, it was all over with testimonials, reviews, availability and great comments.

So, now when I’m in a less than desirable situation, I can rest easy with Rest Easy.

First place in the 2009 Oregon Chocolate Festival for Chocolate Candy (Best Marriage of Chocolate and Candy) went to a new company, Homemade Confections of Medford.

In addition to their English Toffee being exceptional, I liked their Gourmet Crumbles, bits and pieces of English Toffee, Peanut Brittle, Milk Chocolate covered Macadamia Nuts and Semi-sweet chocolate. I used some of this in a cheesecake and it was fantastic.

Owner, Judith Galindo developed a magic combination that works. When Brenda and I were judges at the Oregon Chocolate Festival in March 2009, we met Judith. Brenda discovered Homemade Confections first while I was sampling another entrant’s chocolate. She took me over saying, “You have to taste this.” She was right.

Judith had recently started her company. Now, it is growing like crazy with a lot of hard work, marketing and people loving the taste.

She was eager to share her product with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers on its Conference at Sea. She made our batch of treats, the night before shipping so we could experience it fresh.

Thank you Judith, we all thoroughly enjoyed having your treat as a pillow gift. We hope you do well again this year.

For more information on Homemade Confections, you can call or write Judith. She welcomes your questions.

Judith Galindo, Owner
Homemade Confections
2009 Oregon Chocolate Festival Winner
Homemadeconfections.medford@yahoo.com
541-690-9751

Charleston Cookie Company’s by line is “Gourment Cookies with a Southern Accent.” They sent us Chocolate Maroni Cookies for our pillow treat. While searching its website, this cookie did not show up, but numerous other intriguing selections were available.

With these boutique companies, it is frequently the story behind them that adds so much interest.

At the end of 2001, founder Judith Moore, was unable to find a recipe for a perfect chocolate chip cookie. So, after a two-month quest, she decided to use a butter-cookie dough and develop her own recipe.

A team of cookie fans formed and by October 2003, they launched the Charleston Cookie Company, LLC. They are fortunate to have Chef Judy Papadimitriou with her experience in large-scale production baking and a willingness to work on specialized cookies and brownies.

Judith says, “We also believe in working hard, in having fun, in bringing a smile to people’s faces and in supporting our vision of, in our own small way, bringing joy to the lives of those who buy our cookies.”

I’ve a friend who used to refer to his working as, “Have a little fun and make a little money.” He had a lot of fun and made a lot of money. Judith’s philosophy did bring a smile to my face.

I encourage you to check out www.charlestoncookie.com. There are recipes for some favorites. The peanut butter and pumpkin nut sound great to me. Judith is willing to be interviewed for stories.

You can reach her at 800 606 9001. Thank you Judith and team.