(PMCA — June 29, 2023) — First-time in-person course host Tomric Systems, Inc. welcomed 23 industry professionals to its facility for a Premium Chocolate Centers course. Attendees representing a variety of companies participated in the course, held June 20-23, 2023 in Buffalo, NY.
Four experienced and highly-skilled instructors provided a mix of classroom and practical training related to fondants and cremes, ganache, meltaways and caramels for chocolate centers. Each attendee received a course book, electronic copies of course materials and a PMCA goody bag filled with donated items from member companies. Attendees took home lots of their own product as well as that made by fellow attendees, including flavors such as matcha green tea, peanut butter and jelly, yogurt lemon, cherry kirsch and chai.
Attendee commentary:
“I signed up for this course specifically to hear from these instructors that I look up to as mentors in the industry.”
“Great course. Know a lot more now than I did before. Really appreciate the lab work experience.”
“Very comprehensive lectures, I gained a lot of knowledge. Highly recommend to the R&D and QA in confectionery industry.”
Attendees earning a certificate of completion:
Lani Bensheimer, Creo Chocolate
Prachana Chuklin, Jelly Belly Candy Company
Mark Czerczak, Confectionery Arts International
Evangeline Fadrigalan, Concord Foods, LLC
Joel Gratt, YMC Sweets LLC
Glenn Grout, True Dairy Specialty Ingredients
Brandon Jahner, Foresight Food Research
Damarise Jimenez, The Hershey Company
Hailey Karroum, The Hershey Company
Jeanne Lomison, Buffalo, NY
Christina Meyn, Jelly Belly Candy Company
Hannah O’Brien, Stuffed Puffs LLC
Keariel Peasley, Bixby & Co.
Evan Prochniak, Zitner’s Fine Confections
Kevin Ronan, Ronan’s Artisan Chocolate
Christie Rowland, Jelly Belly Candy Company
David Rowland, Jelly Belly Candy Company
Laura Schembri, Jelly Belly Candy Company
Kathryn Southworth, Bixby & Co.
Erin Sterling, pladis Global
Kevin Straub, Creo Chocolate
Thomas Westerfer, pladis Global
Amanda Zadroga-Cantada, ADM
PMCA is grateful to the individuals and companies that graciously donated instructors, ingredients, products or other items to the success of the course as follows:
Instructors:
Mark Heim, retired, R. Mark Heim Confectionery Consulting – Course Lead
Brian Donaghy, Tomric Systems, Inc.
Randy Hofberger, R&D Candy Consultants
Joe Sofia, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate
Hannah Riesner, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate – Course Assistant
Donations of ingredients, equipment, samples and supplies:
ASR Group
Barry Callebaut
Blommer Chocolate Company
Cargill
Centerchem
Clasen Quality Chocolate
Flavorsum
IFC Solutions
Ingredion
Tomric Systems, Inc.
Weaver Nut Company
About PMCA
PMCA is an international organization that enhances the companies and careers of confectionery and snack professionals through inspired learning and the building of long-term personal connections, which empowers our members to create products that bring people joy.