We are taking a break this October!

Heychocolat is currently on hiatus and we regret that we are unable to take orders till 5 Nov 2011. Thank you all for the support once again!!

We are fully booked this September!

We're fully booked for the month of Sep! We are very grateful to all our supporters out there and we regret not being able to take in your orders for the time being. Thank you all for your support once again!!!

Reinvent, Revitalise and Revamp!

After long (overdue) thoughts and consideration, I've decided to quit my job and focus on Heychocolat Bakeshop. For a start, Heychocolat will be focusing on what this blog first started out with: Darn Good Chocolate Cake and other chocolatey desserts - Feel Good Brownies and Triple Indulgence Cheesecake (I will upload the pics soon!).

Prices have also been adjusted due to rising ingredient costs! I'm really bad with pricing and prices weren't adjusted for the past 3 years. But for all Heychocolat Fans (Just Click Like on Heychocolat FB page), you will enjoy 10% off all purchases for the first 100 fans only (excluding delivery charges if any). Afternote: I'm also really bad with tech stuff and a scatterbrain so you may want to email me with your name and email address just to confirm! (For those who'd ordered from me before, you are auto-included as my fans already!)

As for starting my own bakery/cafe, plans are underway and to my surprise, my dad actually helped sourced for a shop space near my place and asked if I wanted to takeover but with the current constraints, I'll just have to take a step at a time before jumping to run my own.

For the time being, I'm currently on the look-out for a good web designer to create a new website so it's more organised (rather than the haphazard posts and pics thrown everywhere on this blog). Do email me - heychocolat@gmail.com if you're a web designer or if you know one.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Final note...

Hi everyone, it's with much regrets (and pain as I type this on my tiny iPhone) that I'll not be able to continue/take in orders till further notice. Huge thanks to all you supporters out there for your kind compliments and support of my little website/home venture. It's been great knowing you all and that there are people (albeit a handful) who love my creations! You know who you are and with that, I thank you with all my heart and for helping me spread the word to your friends and relatives. I do hope I'll be able to continue my bakes soon but parenthood can be so consuming (yes it does suck the life out of you- oh that's another story).

Cheers,
Joanne

Ps: to all great mommies out there, happy mother's day in advance!

A few of the bakes this Xmas

Did a special edition of Darn Good Choc Cake with a layer of Hazelnut Praline Feulletine
& a newly designed logo *Xmas pressie courtesy of K*

Signatures Cupcakes w/flags

More Macarons - w/Feulletine, Ganache, Lemon &; Nutella

Besides getting busy with the bakes, we're also preparing for the arrival of our second child (sometime near CNY). Heychocolat Bakeshop will not be taking orders temporarily from FEB2011-MAR2011 with regrets (or till we figure out her/our daily routine) but do feel free to email us as we could perhaps squeeze in an order or 2.

Speaking of special requests, I've received emails requesting for fondant-theme cakes or cupcakes with fondant figurines. I've always shy away from fondant mainly because I don't bake something which I don't eat and also, they don't hold up well in our climate.

Recently, I've read online that certain brands of fondant and methods could preserve the fondant cake/figurines for longer periods. I decided to give it a try and trial-test a batch of fruit cupcakes before I commit to taking in orders and also, I'm in the mood for some play-doh!

Don't be fooled by these minis, it took me 4 hours  One WHOLE day to complete. Santa's topsy turvy hat already took half hour to complete. These batches were left to dry on the tabletop in the living room and the figurines still look good after 24 hours but you could see the fondant-covered cakes 'weeping' - still ok.

The next batches were stored covered in the fridge. It kept the shape well but condensation forms on the figurines and cakes (not to mention the color runs) as soon as they were removed from the fridge - bad.

Verdict: I will just stick to making fondant figurines instead of covering the whole cake w/fondant - personal palate issue and also the time/effort spent on a cake. The figurines will go on top of cakes last/on the delivery day itself.  If consumption is on a later date, best to remove the fondant pieces, wipe clean/dry and keep in airtight bags/boxes at room temperature before keeping the cupcakes separately in the fridge. This will keep both the cakes fresh and the fondant pieces intact.

(PS: Dear Readers, if you've ideas on handling fondant to share with us, we will be glad if you cld email us at heychocolat@gmail.com - Thank You and Enjoy this Festive Season!!!)

Here's wishing all a Blessed Xmas and a Prosperous New Year filled with Joy, Love & Happiness!!!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

We're fully booked till Xmas! We are very grateful to all our supporters out there and we regret not being able to take in your orders for the time being till Jan 2011. Thank you all for your support once again!!!

Bake Sale 2010 - Orders Closed

The Bake Sale Order is now closed! Thank you all for your support!! Looking forward to baking and seeing everyone next weekend! Have a great weekend all!!

Private Bake Sale

To all heychocolat friends - Visit our FB Page and 'Like' us today! Check your mailbox for details!

Can't import all my previous posts from wordpress

Another bad mistake/judgement of mine, i simply gave up importing my posts over at wordpress. Couldn't believe the design and setting of the blog provider is that rigid!

[Afternote: still in the process of reactivating my old blog, All updates will be posted here from now]

All plans shelved (for the time being)

or after my second one pops out! she will be arriving *hopefully and cross my fingers* after CNY on 14 Feb (V-Day!).

Thousand apologies to all who had sms-ed /called / emailed and i took darn too long to reply - I'M TERRIBLY SORRY!!! & extremely grateful to all for your concerns and well wishes. Unfortunately, I will not be taking bake orders anytime soon as doctor had ordered plenty of bedrest after having gone through amnio test - got poked twice (ouch!) which is another story...might as well share it here:

Nightmare begun when i went to this so-called reputable clinic, located at Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. He happily scanned, printed pics and took my blood without explaining to me what the test is for (just said it's 'very advanced and very important'), the costs, what to expect from the results. i'm so so dumb (i know) considering it's my second pregnancy and i shld have taken the initiative to check w/him first. I didn't because i assumed all doctors are kind and have the onus to explain to patients without asking and i thought nothing wld go wrong.

FIRST SHOCK: Bill came up to $500++ (got to know from the staff the special blood test = OSCAR test) went back home straightaway and spent hours to google about OSCAR.

SECOND SHOCK: Results came back high risk and they didn't inform me straightaway - i called them! Here's the conversation b/w me and one of their staff:

Staff: yeah your result came back but i can't tell you over
the phone. you've to make appointment to see the doctor.

Me: you mean he can't tell me now? Can i see him tomorrow
then?

Staff: tomorrow he's fully booked (almost impatiently).
you can come in to wait.

Me: you mean it's not urgent? then can i stick to my
appointment date (which is a month later)?

Staff: can if you like (hanged up!).

oh yes, i'm still cursing and swearing as i type this. I hope none of you will meet irresponsible people like them *pui*. Anyway, my hubby called the clinic straightafter (from San Francisco) and demanded to talk to the doctor (after losing his temper and screaming at the staff). The doctor eventually told him the news that we dreaded and we immediately went for a second opinion. i shld have just trusted my instincts and not gone to see this doctor considering he freely advertises his abortion services online (what can be expected from someone who don't even believe in or treasure life?).

anyway, long story short, we found a specialist at Camden Medical who told us the results are totally inaccurate and nothing's wrong w/our baby. But perhaps my own anxiety and inability to cope w/the 'what-ifs', we still went ahead w/the amnio test. we got hold of another professional gynae who took time and patience to explain to us on our results and gave us the option to do the amnio test or wait for the 20wks' scan for better judgement. Luckily, the test went well (albeit the 2 needling pokes - doctor said my baby keeps moving towards the needle) and hopefully, everything will go smoothly from now...

God bless everyone!

Sadly, we've to say goodbye...

Dear all,

Thank you for your tremendous support and well-wishes, unfortunately, I'm unable to continue HeyChocolat due to a recurring wrist injury, very much with deep regrets. I'm glad to have met all you wonderful supporters out there and very saddened to have to say goodbye...all of you and HeyChocolat will always remain a wonderful memory and will be sorely missed!

May all of you and your family be blessed with good health, happiness and sweet tidings always this New Year!!!

Best,
Joanne

Thank You All For Your Support!

We'll be taking a short (or rather long) break til end of Dec 2009. We'll still fulfill all the orders we've taken before we go on our long-awaited break.

Thank you all for the support all this while, hope all the baked goodies had brought you joy and happiness in your celebrations. We will be back with a new look when the new year starts.

Til then,

Joanne

Workshops Notice

So sorry everyone! My hands are tied with cake orders from now till Mid-Nov. I will not be able to conduct the cupcake workshops till further notice! Thank you all once again for your support!!!

Thank you ALL for your support...

We're fully booked till 31st October 2009. We are very grateful to all our supporters out there and we regret to not being able to take in your orders for the time being till end October 2009. Thank you all for your support!!!

Thank You For Your Support!

We're fully booked till 10th July 2009. Please email us for last-minute order. Thank you all for your support!

Thank You For Your Support!

We are fully booked from 26 ~ 30 May 09. Thank You for your support once again!

Just in case you're looking for cakes...

& you're wondering what's with all the rantings...it's because:

1. the Kitchen is temporarily closed for renovation from 7 May 2009 to 25 May 2009 and the homebaker will take in orders from 26 May 2009
2. the Homebaker's very free, besides changing diapers & feeding the Little One
3. there's really nothing much left to do, 'cept keeping this blog alive.
   

Thank you all for dropping by our blog! We really appreciate your patience & understanding!

Last Order (Temporary)

We'll be closed from 7 May 2009 to 25 May 2009 as we'll be preparing to move into a brand new kitchen (yipee!) and taking a short break to recharge. Thank you all for your past support. We'll be taking in orders from 26 May 2009 onwards.

In the meantime, for those who're interested to know how the homebaker whipped up all these goodies, let us know what you think by clicking on the polls on the right. Thank you!

Thank You For Your Support!

We are fully booked for the Month of March 09. Please call/sms me if you'd like to place an order. Last minute orders may be accepted depending on availability. Thank You for your support once again!

Thank YOU for your Support!

We're Fully Booked for the Month of February 2009. Thank you all for your support!