Tales of Toffee
by Leah Post on April 16, 2008
We had applied and were fortunate enough to be accepted to exhibit at the 33rd Winter Fancy Food Show in San Diego, CA. We arrived late in the afternoon and rushed to set up the booth. At some point the parents all had left to sign us in and get name badges, Brandon and I continued setting up the booth. Next thing we know, event security is in the booth asking to see our badges. We explained that our parents were registering and would return soon. He wasn’t satisfied and told us that this was an 18 and over event. We were only 16. The security guard escorted us out of the building and straight to our parents. He explained the situation and informed Brandon and I that we would be able to wait in the “kiddie room” during the event. Our parents explained that we were owners of the company and should be allowed to exhibit. A call to his boss led to another – the President of the event. He sympathized with our situation and then talked to his staff about what was to be done about this. We were led into a portable administration office for the event and waited while a hand-written release of liability was drafted. After signing, we were escorted back into the venue by the head of security. It turns out that Brandon and I were the youngest exhibitors in the Fancy Food Show history.
The following day was one that we’ll not soon forget. The Chief Operating Officer for Brown and Haley, John Melin, visited us at the booth to thank us for “respecting their copyright” and changing the name of the company from Brandini Roca to Brandini Toffee. He also gave us the history of Almond Roca and how it was made, all the while sampling our toffee. He liked it! We were also visited by the famed Hermond Goelitz Rowland, Sr. Chairman of the Board for Jelly Belly. He’s a great guy. Jamee Enstrom Simons from Enstrom’s Toffee visited us and we got to spend some time with all the great people at Guittard Chocolate including Kent Lyon and Chuck Howard, CEO Gary Guittard and his son Jesse.
by Leah Post on April 16, 2008
One Thursday night Brandon and I were working at Palm Springs VillageFest and a married couple approached our booth, introduced themselves, and explained that they had read about us and couldn’t wait to try the toffee. They bought a 1lb. Box and 1/2lb. tin of Brandini Bites. They thanked us and we said our goodbyes. About an hour later they returned without their toffee and asked for the same order as before. As we packed up the toffee they explained that while standing right outside their car talking, someone jumped in the driver’s seat and drove away in their brand new Lexus. After the shock of what had happened subsided they called the police, filed a report, and then realized that the toffee they just purchased was in the back seat of the car. So what did they do? Went immediately back to the Brandini Toffee booth and bought some more, of course. True story!
by Leah Post on April 16, 2008
Leah’s friend Tisa was excited about the unique gift for her dad – a 1/2lb. tin of Brandini Bites. She wrapped it up and placed it under the Christmas tree. But one night upon returning from a party withe her family, they noticed wrapping paper torn up next to the dog and the tin of toffee missing from under the tree. They looked around the house but couldn’t find it anywhere. Christmas had soon come and gone, the toffee was forgotten. Until one day Tisa noticed a hole in the backyard that her dog had made. She walked over to get a closer look and there was the tin; her dog had unburied it. She picked it up and noticed that the plastic wrapper was still intact, the tin was unopened! Tisa was able to give her dad the gift after all. They shared a laugh and the entire tin of toffee.
