17 May, 2008
Thanks Rogers TV
Thanks to Pay Chen from Omni TV and Candice Batista from Rogers TV for featuring Kakayo on their episodes. It was a lot of fun making truffles with these dynamic ladies and I appreciate all the great PR.
Pay came in with her crew to film several 30 second and 60 second takes. Several customers have already seen the segments aired on OMNI TV during prime time hours and just before David Lettermen. On the episode, Pay featured the making of our vegan truffle line.
As well, Candice Batista is the host of a new show called, A Greener Toronto, featuring small businesses and different services around the GTA. Kakayo is featured for the week of May 12 to 18th, Episode 5. http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?lid=16&rid=16&tid=24415. Outside of the link, you can catch her show six times a week on Rogers TV.
16 Apr, 2008
We are Opened on Sundays Now
We have extended our store hours:
Tuesday to Saturdays from 11am to 7pm
Sundays from 12pm to 5pm
16 Apr, 2008
Gelato Season is Coming
So we have been making our beta batches of our gelato, sorbets/ices and yogurts for the past month. We have been lucky enough to get our customers to participate in the different tastings and to provide us with feedback on areas of improvements, what they disliked and liked, etc.
We are currently about 75% of the way there and we should have our prefected batches by end of May.
What has been tested so far:
- Pistachio
- Vanilla
- Green Tea Matcha
- Chocolate
- Pecan Rum
- Mango Sorbet
- Lemon Ice
- Mixed Berry Ice
- Mixed Berry Yogurt
24 Feb, 2008
February Press Releases
I need to give thank to all the great media coverage that we have been receiving this month from The Toronto Star, Now Toronto, National Post, Metro Canada and Prosper Magazine.
As a small business, I rely on customer referrals and word-of-mouth to get the word around about my truffles. So being able to get all this media spot light just before Valentine’s Day has been a great bonus. I truly appreciate the reviews and I hope that you all get a chance to check them out.
Truffles to be treasured, by Sue Ann Lewis http://www.thestar.com/article/303057
Organic truffles a hot treat, by Zenya Zirant http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=314207
Sweet hearts, by Andrew Sardone http://www.nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/take5-story.cfm?content=161712
Valentine’s alert, by Nathalie-Rose Fischer http://metronews.ca/column.aspx?id=106128
Life is like a box of Kakayo, by Cynthia Cheng http://prospere-magazine.com/2008/02/12/life-is-like-a-box-of-kakayo/
20 Feb, 2008
I Luv Valentine's
Late on Valentine’s Eve this young man brings his girlfriend to my shop in a blind fold. He positioned her right in front of the truffle counter and he slowly took off her blind fold. She looks around, takes a deep breathe in and finally screams with joy, hugging and kissing him!
I am the luckiest person on earth. I get a chance to be a part of all your celebrations. I get to hear all about your five star gourmet meals that even an Iron Chef would be jealous of. So I get a chance to witness all the prep work and effort you all put into this special day, which really puts my fiancé (Christian) in a bind?!?!
We unfortunately didn’t get an opportunity to celebrate that evening because of the late hours at that shop. But he did redeem himself over the weekend.
He got us a bottle of Mums, a great Sashimi platter from Sushi
05 Jan, 2008
Kakayo Featured in Living in Toronto
I would like to thank Mio Adilman and his camera man for coming to my shop late last year. Mio had discovered Kakayo through a blog and had contacted me about doing a three minute piece on the show Living in
Show: Living in
Date: Tuesday January 8 and Friday January 11th, 2008
Time: 1pm (EST)
Channel: CBC
Webcast: http://www.cbc.ca/livingintoronto
05 Jan, 2008
Closing Off 2007 with a Bang!
Who would of known that a little chocolate shop would grab so much attention?
Over the holidays we were featured on:
- CFRB 1010am – The Tabby Johnson Show
- ETC News (local paper for South East Toronto)
- Taste TO (website)
- Neigbourhood Knowledge (website to be announced)
- Autoshare Members Newsletter
In the New Year we will be featured on:
- CBC – Living in
Toronto (TV Program) Toronto Life – Valentine’s Issue - Tonic Magazine – Taste Testing Chocolates
22 Dec, 2007
See You in the New Year
It has been a wonderful few months at my new location at 1584 Queen Street East.
I feel extremely fortunate for all the support I have received from my customers and I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
We will be closed from December 23rd to January 3rd and will be re-opening our doors on January 4th.
I look foward to seeing each one of you again in the New Year!
Colleen
647.346.2936
29 Oct, 2007
Kakayo Makes It in the National Post
Sandra B. Hood from the National Post has been kind enough to write an article about Kakayo. Friends of ours have been calling to tell us that they have read the article. We are quite thrilled and are honoured to have been featured in the article "The Birth of East Queen East".
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=68b4f153-0ffe-4363-ad2a-22753d9e25b6
29 Oct, 2007
Kakayo Launch Party this Thursday
This party is for you! For being there and supporting me during my start up phase. You rode out the bumps with me - from going from kitchen to kitchen, to opening a shared location and then closing that same location, real estate negotations on two seperate places. Now I have finally found my new home in Leslieville/The Beach. I would not of been able to get to this point without each of you. You have all touched my heart and I would love to share a toast with all of you at my new shop.
The event is by invite only, so please feel free to contact me directly, colleen@kakayo.com or 416 828 0402.
Date: November 1, 2007
Location: 1584 Queen Street East
Intersection: Queen / West of Coxwell
Time: 8pm to 11pm
18 Oct, 2007
We Are Finally Opened for Business!
We have finally past all our inspections and we got the "okay" to open our doors. Theortically, I could open my doors today, however, I wanted to give myself some breathing room and a chance to invite my friends in before the big opening. Everyone has been extremely supportive during my start up phase, both on a emotional level as well as with all their chocolate orders. There is no way I could of done it without you guys.
Most importantly, I need to thank all those people (Christian, his parents Wilfred and Melanie, Paul and Stef) who have given me their time and effort in making the renovations happen. They had dedicated their evenings, weekends and vacation days to give me the space I had always invisioned.
New pictures of the store has been uploaded to: http://kakayochocolatecompany.spaces.live.com/
I am just applying for my Special Occations Permit (SOP) and we will be hosting a launch party in a matter of days. Let's party!
09 Oct, 2007
Renovation Photos
I hate to say it, but I have definitely missed my October 1st opening deadline! All the renovation work is completed and I am currently working on the interior design phase of the store. Our fate is now in the hands of the City Inspectors. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
To see the evolution of the space please go to: http://kakayochocolatecompany.spaces.live.com/
New photos will be updated shortly.
29 Aug, 2007
Adam and Eve Chocolatier
Adam and Eve Chocolatier located at Maitland and Church is now an official reseller of Kakayo Chocolate Truffles. They will be receiving their first delivery this Friday of our Banana Split, Chai Masala, Hot Tamale, Trailer Park Truffle and Mint Julep truffles.
Please drop by their store and tell them that we referred you!
As well, I would like to thank my customer Sygun for introducing my product to them. You rock!
29 Aug, 2007
New Store - Lease Signed This Evening
It is official. Kakayo has signed a lease at 1584 Queen Street East, which is located just west of Coxwell, between Leslieville and The Beach. We are in the process of getting all our permits and approvals and we plan on opening our doors on October 1st.
Scouting for a
I look forward to seeing you at my new place.
Chocolatier & President
Kakayo Chocolate Company Inc.
(t) 416 828 0402
09 Jul, 2007
Kakayo's New Store Launch
We are moving to our new space on Queen Street East in August 2007. More information will be disclosed at a later date and we will be having our official launch very soon.
The store launch will be by RSVP. If you are interested in attending, please email us at: colleen@kakayo.com.