Local chocolatier wows Seattle trade show
Deadwood — People in the Seattle area liked what they tasted when they experienced Chubby Chipmunk truffles for the first time during a July 12 show.
The Deadwood chocolate shop, owned by Mary “Chip” Tautkus, brought home some awards and new customers in its first out-of-state competition.
The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon held its second annual tasting awards and Tautkus decided to take an entry and join the two dozen other chocolate makers involved. Chubby Chipmunk won first prize for top toffee and second place in best truffle, best gift set and best overall. Tautkus was also given honorable mentions for top artisan and best presentation and packaging.
The hand-dipped “Milk Moose” toffee Tautkus created was a hit.
“It was pretty exciting,” she said. “We had so many people come by. We served 1,500 to 2,000 people.”
Preparations were extensive and she worked to create a display that could fit in a suitcase. A signature theme of the Chubby Chipmunk display is a leopard print, which carried through from the official logo to plates and gift boxes. Shop staffer Susan Stalder accompanied Tautkus on the trip.
With the success of this first trip, Tautkus is planning a second voyage, this time to Chicago in 2010.
In the meantime, Chubby Chipmunk crews are rolling and hand-dipping along at a good clip. The shop, located near the intersections of Highways 85 and 385 between Lead and Deadwood, is the only place you can buy the chocolates. The chocolates are also available online, but Chubby Chipmunk will not ship before Sept. 15 because the threat of hot weather could melt the items before they can be delivered, Tautkus said.
