While having lunch with Eiling the chocolate lady a few moons ago, she came up with an idea of a short trip to Fidani, the chocolate factory she works at. We thought it’ll be pretty neat to emulate Charlie’s method and issue visitors a golden ticket each as invitation.
A couple weeks ago the chocolate lady passed me boxes of freshly made chocolates with just the right stuff in it, and last week a dozen of us danced our way to Shah Alam for a weekend lawatan sambil belajar sambil makan (study & eating trip).
Golden Tickets!
There were more than a dozen of us: Suanie, FA, Cheesie, Kim, ST, Rachel, Nicholas, Grace, Eyeris, Hsu Jen, David Cheong, Ziling, and Yiling. The last two are younger sisters of Eiling, who affectionately refers themselves as the EZY sisters. *gasp*
master chocolatier chef Amer explaining on, Eiling giving her speech
A huge box of chocolate was on the table as we entered the meeting room, we attacked the chocolate right away. By the time Eiling came in with the master chocolatier chef Amer, we were already half way through with breakfast, libido building up from aphrodisiac overdose (ok ignore the last line)
Chef Amer then went on and gave us an entertaining and informative lesson about chocolates. On the ingredients (cocoa powder, cocoa butter), the best temperature to keep chocolates (21 c), the history, the difference between good and cheap “chocolate flavored confectioneries” (with loads of sugar and artificial flavoring), and even how Fidani got its name (from the owner’s daughter).
fine chocolates, made by hand
After the lecture, we were given a tour of the factory, and it was actually the first time the big chef allowed outsiders to enter his well organized workshop.
Pretty much the whole chocolate making process is done by hand over here. From the industrial chocolate fondue fountain machine the melted chocolate is poured into the mould just to be emptied leaving a chocolate shell if fillings are to be added, then more chocolate is poured to complete the process. Other types of chocolates require different treatments, like those that’s covered with crushed peanuts, or the special durian chocolate.
how do you like my donkey and KY chocolates? =)
The packing and boxing process are done manually too, the only machine we saw other than the chocolate fountain is the expiry date label machine that costs over RM 30,000! That thing can magically spray perfect expiry date on anything passes underneath it. Very neat.
check out how Grace messed up her attempt
After looking around, it was the time to make our own chocolates! We poured melted chocolate on into the mould and did our own decoration with white chocolate and some bits of other ingredients. I made a dark chocolate and a milk chocolate bar. I think you must find them very awesome.
Some of the noobs messed up majorly and over poured chocolates, spilling it all over the mould. I think you can appreciate that from the collage of 3 photos above.
ze Joker!
The above photo of Kim just reminds me of the funniest scene in The Dark Knight. Two of the EZY sisters looking ahead while the Joker standing behind, up to no good.
look at Cheesie so happy with her chocolate bags!
After the tour, we went back to the meeting room to sample some new chocolates not in the market yet and gave our feedbacks. That basically meant we were eating even more chocolates.
and one for the team!
Before we left, Eiling gave each of us a big goodie bag filled with at least 2-300 ringgit worth of fine chocolates. That’s gonna be my supply for at least the next few week. We headed to ah foong bak kut teh for lunch right after, ahh, it was a Saturday morning well spent.
Fidani chocolates are available at Genting and KLIA, KKIA, Penang IA, LCCT, Kuching airport, and Langkawi airport and Jetty. Excuse me now I am going to have some chocolates!
Related Posts:
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- KY eats – chocolate fondue at KLCC
- Gift from Hot Chick – Original Tim Tam and Pods from Australia!
- KY eats – MiniSnack
By eiling on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for coming. Thanks to Chef Amer too! We’re not that “ezy” ok?!! Anyway, wouldn’t have done it without you helping to coordinate the visit! *Applause* Btw, you still have the chocolates? If cannot finish, you can always give them to me.
By kaiwah on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Can i join ur next lawatan sambil belajar dan makan…opppss?
Sounds interesting. enjoy the chocolates.
By chuan on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
wah! got free choc, best la!
By vialentino on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
yeah…i wanna join…esp got free makan ler….
By KY on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
eiling,
Don’t be greedy!
kaiwah,
Will sure enjoy them.
chuan,
Stim!
vialentino,
Hehehe, we shall see we shall see.
By beetrice on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
an ex-colleague was working there for a while – I remember the chocolate covered almonds were TO DIE FOR…
eh KY, share the love a bit lah, since you got so much chocolate!!
By eiling on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Beetrice: Yeah I’ve seen your blog post on fidani before!
By whateverthing inc on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
i want to buy KY’s choc!
By Dabido on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Durian Chocolate! I MUST TRY!!!!!
By KY on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
beetrice,
Come!
eiling,
oOO
whateverthing inc,
KLIA, Genting, etc etc..
Dabido,
You’d be flying here, check out the KLIA store then!
By YilingL on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
We’re anything but easy and sleazy :p
Fidani is also available in LCCT KK, pls buy k? Hehe. And omg, I look so ugly
By ahbing on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I want to try KY chocolate
and your donkey very nice.. haha
By David on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I know Jessica too.haha , and she’s the sweetest soul eva .
By David on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I still haven’t finish my chocs yet >.< eat till die lol
By racoon on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
chocolates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:’( me oso want chocs but too broke dee… how?? KY can gimme some of the chocs ah??
By Huai Bin on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
OMG! I’m so jealous. I want to go on your lawatan sambil belajar sambil makan trips too. Customized chocolates…
It must be fun to wear all those clean room gear and make your own chocolates. I am interested in making a weirder concoction than durian chocolate.
By KY on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
YilingL,
Hahaha, I’m sure, I’m sure.
ahbing,
Hahha thanks.
David Lai,
Yaaa, I’ve known her for something like 4-5 years already!
David,
Hahaha I can understand.
racoon,
Beg for money, then buy!
Huai Bin,
Ya like working at Intel! Why la you stay so far away.
By cc on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
I am totally green with envy now. You lucky bunch!
By ZS on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
What can I say your was one of the best Carl’s Jr. pics I can find on google that wasn’t painted pretty yeh?
Anyway thks for stopping my blog, since I hardly get anyone commenting on it
Anyway, my apologies if u found it abusive or anyway that I have insulted you or whatever. Cheers…
-ZS-
By annant on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
wah, so good…how come u drew donkey one?
By Penny on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
So nice to have lawatan sambil belajar and sambil MAKAN!!!!
By pinkpau on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
eh i dun understand the last picture. what u all doing!
By KY on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
cc,
ZS,
copying and putting on another server with a credit would be better though.
annant,
Cos I can’t draw a bunny.
Penny,
Best!
pinkpau,
It’s called random camwhore pose.
By hcfoo on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
This is very educational. I love this kind of foodie post.
By ahmike on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
yeeee, so nice! next time ajak us la
By Peb @ Food Made Simple on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
Wow! nice! Lucky you, yummmy yummy
By KY on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
hcfoo,
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
ahmike,
Hahah I hope I hope.
Peb,
yes, lucky indeed.
By eiling on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
Oh btw we don’t use peanuts la KY. apa ni?!!
By mimid3vils on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
wow, an interesting trip, i remember I went for a lawatan sambil belajar @ Bata factory…
By JunJun-Riko on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
ur chocolate no nice no nice.. *bleks* din give me some…. hng!!! stingy!!!
By Kuzco on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
lol @ above…hng! Stingy! hahahahahahaa
Best
By d1 on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
Okay~~ tis is nice!!!
wow.. the choco is .. yum yum
By Zues on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
Oh my god, chocolate spree… I want some, share share?? Haha..
By Simon Seow on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
KY you still got Chipster for sale?
By KY on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
eiling,
Ops, corrected
mimid3vils,
HHaha did you get free shoes?
JunJun-Riko,
Very smart!
Kuzco,
Hahaha.
d1,
Very nice, yes!
Zues,
You wish!
Simon Seow,
Don’t have already.
By jolene on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
chocolate! my favourite!
By adry azad on Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
dude whats golden tciket?
By Big Boys Oven on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
this is very cool!
By Reta on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
i spot eyeris =P
By KY on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
jolene,
Me too!
adry azad,
Never watch Charlie & the chocolate factory?
Big Boys Oven,
Very!
Reta,
Shhhh, he is supposed to be anonymous!
By yl on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
u had vegetarian food today?
haha….seen you few times in KLCC area already.
didnt mean to stalk u though.
By Carrie on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
wow… the chocolate looks deliciuos…. Does it taste nice? Must ask cheesie to keep some for me… hehe
By KY on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
yl,
Yes! Say hi laa next time.
Carrie,
Oh of course tastes awesome!
By xin on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
wahh! glamorous! why these chokluds are made so expensive??!!
By KY on Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
xin,
Cos good ingredients aren’t cheap maa
By boonchuan on Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
How do you get the invitation to the chocolate factory? The chocolate looks so nice and mouth watering…
By KY on Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
boonchuan,
Eiling the marketing lady is a good friend.
By DEE on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
WOW….DURIAN CHOCOLATE MUST TRY
THE MOST INNOVATIVE CHOCOLATE AWARD 2004
YUMMMY FILLED WITH RICH CREAMY DURIAN…
CAYALAH CHEFF AMER…….
By Jane Lee on Jan 26, 2009 | Reply
Just wanna know how did you organize this outing? Can I have the same for children below 12?
By KY on Jan 26, 2009 | Reply
DEE,
Yes, make it happen!
Jane Lee,
That you will have to talk to Eiling @ http://eiling.blogspot.com