Carter Chocolatier

My beautiful Grandma Dolan

 I was just thinking this morning about the history of fudge and it dawned on me that maybe you would like to know where I learned to cook and why I love it so much! As if the history alone about “fudge” wasn’t enough to make you all want to run out and try it!  I was born and raised in TN. When you are from TN, you grow up around a strong southern heritage of FOOD in general. I remember being amazed at how my Papa Whitten could make biscuits and EVERY TIME they were made to perfection..but even more that I didn’t typically care for biscuits but I LOVED his! My Grandma Dolan made the absolute BEST homemade stews and Chicken and Dumplings of the south ( I am pretty certain)! My Dad was always the grill master…he could take meat and make it better than a 5 star restaurant every time!  My Mom ALWAYS made ( and still makes) gigantic Thanksgiving meals and her desserts were and are always above and beyond delicious! Actually, the very first fudge I ever had…was my Mothers.  I do love my Mom’s as well..she makes a very “Traditional” fudge. She started my love for the confectionery without a doubt!  Also, my parents both worked and from an early age I was cooking…. I learned most of my cooking over telephone! My Mom would set aside all I needed and then at about 4p.m. would call and teach me as I went along how to cook it! When they came home, dinner was ready! Pretty soon I was able to do it without the added assistance. The one thing about me…if I go by a recipe, it is never going to be what that recipe intended it to be…I ALWAYS think…hmmm..I will add this too and that! I make it my own. I change it and put a spin to it that may make it an entirely different dish! It seems to work for me…I have made my most successful meals this way! As I got older, I became fascinated with the act of “creating” something “different”.. That is what I did with our fudge.I wanted something that you could walk in and just get anywhere. I wanted something that had a unique quality about it! How lucky am I to have a family of really great cooks?!  If it weren’t for that aroma of biscuits in the morning when visiting my Papa, being the sampler to my Grandmas soups……or having a Mother that made(and makes) the best variety of desserts of anyone I have ever known… (She is also why I cook “military”style…enough to feed a small army)…I wouldn’t be here today launching a business that I hope becomes a household name for you and yours one day! 

CARTER CHOCOLATIER

“MAKE A LIST OF IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO TODAY. AT THE TOP OF LIST, PUT”EAT CHOCOLATE”. NOW, YOU’LL GET ATLEAST ONE THING DONE TODAY”. GINA HAYES