Global Efforts Underway to Protect Susceptible Cacao Plants

With a background as a Microsoft project manager, Edward Anderton has guided Scarlata Chocolate in Seattle for the past six years as managing director. With a focus on quality, Edward Anderton and his colleagues source fair-trade, sustainably sourced cacao for products that range from truffles to Spanish-style drinking chocolate.

As reported in the New York Times last year, cacao is under increasing threat worldwide, as major producers are reliant on a “narrow set of clones” chosen for mass cultivation in the 1940s. The result is that nearly all cultivated cacao varieties are susceptible to the same blights, such as the fungal disease frosty pod rot, which devastated farmers on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast in the late 1970s. With each infected pod releasing approximately 7 billion spores, regional exports of cacao decreased by 96 percent within five years and the Costa Rican industry remains a fraction of its previous size. 

The most recent outbreak of the fungus was in Jamaica in 2016, and West African cacao plantations are also susceptible. Exacerbating the situation is that cacao trees require climates similar to those of rainforests, and these regions are set to shrink as global warming accelerates.

Fortunately, there are sustainability-focused efforts underway such as those spearheaded by the Cacao Genetic Improvement Program (CATIE), which is working toward creating a diversified base of cacao plants. For example, in one study a CATIE hybrid developed over an 11 year period experienced a five percent infection rate, far less than the 75 percent rate found in control varieties.

The Mixed Wine Pairing Truffles Box from Scarlata Chocolate

The cofounder and managing director of Scarlata Chocolate, Edward Anderton oversees daily operations and explores new markets for a Seattle-based company focused on creating unique confections with dark chocolate. One of Edward Anderton’s many accomplishments with Scarlata Chocolate is establishing and maintaining partnerships with local wineries, thus allowing his company to host chocolate and wine pairing events.

One of the boxes sold by Scarlata Chocolate is a mixed box perfect for pairing the company’s different chocolates with wine. The Mixed Wine Pairing Truffles box is available as a box of 6 or 12 truffles and gives wine and chocolate enthusiasts the chance to try three of Scarlata Chocolate’s signature chocolates: the San Juan Salted Caramel, Pure Dark Chocolate, and Grand Marnier Burnt Sugar Orange.

Port wines, some merlots, and some Syrahs are a great match for the San Juan Salted Caramel truffle. Consisting of a soft caramel draped in 70 percent dark chocolate, this truffle’s name comes from the San Juan Islands sea salt adorning the top.

The company’s Pure Dark Chocolate truffle is a dark chocolate rectangle made from 70 percent dark chocolate. It also includes a bit of cream and touch of honey. Scarlata Chocolate recommends pairing this truffle with a red wine that has medium tannins and is medium to full-bodied. Bordeaux blends and Cabernet Sauvignon are perfect wines to pair with this truffle.

Finally, the Grand Marnier Burnt Sugar Orange truffle pairs best with dry Riesling or a sparkling wine. It’s made from orange essential oil and a small helping of Grand Marnier liqueur, and features a 39 percent milk chocolate shell surrounding a burnt sugar caramel.

Tips on Organizing a Charity Auction

Edward Anderton co-founded Scarlata Chocolate in 2012 and now serves as the managing director of the organization. With a dedicated philanthropist at its helm, Edward Anderton's company donates premium chocolates to the Star of Hope to be sold in charity auctions.

Charity auctions are an excellent way to raise money. Here are a few key things to consider when planning one. 

A charity auction can be held as a silent auction, allowing bidders to remain anonymous, or in a traditional format involving an auctioneer selling items. Regardless of the form of auction used, guests should always receive a list of the auction’s items prior to the event to generate excitement and anticipation. Donated items such as coupons, gift cards, services, and items from local organizations and businesses are typically sold at charity auctions. 

An essential part of planning the auction includes choosing the venue and promoting the event by sending out invitations and advertising on social media. Other tasks to consider include deciding how payments will be collected at the auction and organizing a crew for clean-up duties following the event.

Some Recent Accomplishments of Star of Hope

Edward Anderton, a certified project management professional, co-founded Seattle-based Scarlata Chocolate in 2012 while serving as a project manager at Microsoft. Also the managing director of Scarlata Chocolate, Edward Anderton coordinates the company’s philanthropic activities.

Most recently, Scarlata Chocolate made donations to Star of Hope, a nonprofit organization that operates a children’s center in Kenya for 30 orphans. Since its founding in 2011, Star of Hope has achieved a number of steps in its mission to help vulnerable children, which include:

- the provision of goods and services for students, such as meals, clothes, school supplies, and fully funded medical services;

- facility improvements, such as a dormitory, a kitchen, a dining hall, new classrooms, and sanitary facilities; and

- infrastructure enhancements, such as fencing, diesel generators, a water purification system, and a water storage system.

To donate to Star of Hope, visit www.starofhopecentre.org.

NARAL in Your Neighborhood Advocates for Reproduction Rights

Edward Anderton serves as the managing director of Scarlata Chocolate, a Seattle-based company he co-founded that creates premium chocolates using organic, gluten-free ingredients. Edward Anderton’s company donates chocolates for charity auctions hosted by nonprofit organizations such as NARAL Pro-Choice America. NARAL advocates for reproductive freedom nationwide through campaigns such as NARAL in Your Neighborhood. 

NARAL in Your Neighborhood is a nationwide advocacy event intended to spread awareness of reproductive rights and provide voting citizens with the necessary information to prepare for the 2018 elections. The campaign kicked off its 2018 cross-country tour in Illinois in January, with plans to visit Nevada and Georgia next. 

Based in Washington, D.C, NARAL Pro-Choice America aims to protect women’s access to birth control, abortion care, and paid parental leave. With the belief that abortion must remain accessible and legal, the organization seeks to educate lawmakers, citizens, and others about reproduction freedom. For more information, visit www.prochoiceamerica.org.

Tips for Bachata Newbies

Certified Project Management Professional Edward Anderton cofounded Scarlata Chocolate, where he serves as the company's managing director. Away from work, Edward Anderton is an avid Latin dancer and has taught salsa and bachata classes to employees at Google.

Bachata dancing is a recent phenomenon in North America. For those who are new to it, here are a few tips:

- Be sure your basics are solid. The great thing about bachata is that you can make it as simple or as complex as you want. However, getting the form and timing right is vital. For men, this means finding the “1” beat. If you’re a woman, do not compete with your partner’s lead.

- Don’t smother your partner. Ideally, the closed embrace should resemble a hug. When first dancing with someone you don’t know well, use the open hand hold until you get to know the person better. Men should pay special attention to how their partners react to their frame. If the woman is resisting attempts to dance chest to chest, give her some space.

- Don’t be overly intimate. While establishing a connection with your partner is important, you don't have to be close the entire dance. The same is true for suggestive movements. Unless you know your partner well, observe the person’s comfort level and take your cue from him or her.

The Project Management Professional Certification Process

A successful entrepreneur, Edward Anderton co-founded Scarlata Chocolate, where he serves as managing director. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Edward Anderton’s professional experience encompasses work as a project manager at Microsoft.

Founded in 1969, the Project Management Institute (PMI) represents the interests of the project management profession and relies on a systematic process, including the following elements, to administer PMP certification:

- Application process. This phase encompasses not only the submission of an application that the candidate must complete within 90 days of commencement, but also a PMI “completeness review.”

- Audit process. This phase assumes the selection of the candidate’s application and requires that he or she submit diplomas and other specified supporting documentation for PMI staff review.

- Examination. Once a candidate’s eligibility has been established via the aforementioned phases and he or she has submitted credentialing fees, the candidate will have up to a year, and three attempts within that timeframe, to pass an exam consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. Passage of this exam confers certification.

- Ongoing credentialing. During this phase, the PMP must complete 60 professional development units every three years to maintain certification.

Toastmasters Clubs Continue to Thrive

After spending four years as a consultant for Microsoft, Edward Anderton cofounded Scarlata Chocolate in Seattle, Washington, in 2012. He has managed the company’s steady growth each year through various events, ecommerce solutions, and investments in the company’s employees. Edward Anderton also has won several speech contests during his time in the Edmonds chapter of Toastmasters International.

Toastmasters clubs have been around since the first club met at a YMCA in Santa Ana, California, in 1924. These clubs started as places for young men to develop their public speaking abilities. In 1970, the first female member, Helen Blanchard, joined Toastmasters under the pseudonym of Homer Blanchard. Helen Blanchard later became the first female president of Toastmasters in 1985.

Nearly 16,000 Toastmasters clubs now exist in 142 countries. These clubs train promising individuals to succeed in various leadership positions that require excellent speeches. Coaches, mentors, and business leaders around the globe acquire leadership and communication skills in Toastmaster workshops and competitions. In 2016, Toastmasters members converged in Washington, DC, for the organization’s annual conference, and Darren Tay received top honors in the public speaking competition.

Star of Hope Benefits Children in Kenya

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a former project manager for Microsoft, Edward Anderton is the cofounder and managing director of Scarlata Chocolate in Seattle, Washington. In this role, Edward Anderton manages the day to day operations of the boutique chocolate maker. In addition to crafting chocolate truffles with unique and decadent flavors, Scarlata Chocolate strives to support community organizations like the Star of Hope Centre.

The Star of Hope Centre is located in Bungoma County in Kenya. The center, established by Leonart Muyelele, provides a loving home for children who have lost their parents due to HIV/AIDS, armed conflict, abandonment, and malaria or other diseases. The center also provides education and meals to over 150 village children who are in need.

Each year, a board of directors based in Seattle holds a fundraiser called Dancing for the Stars. At the event, supporters enjoy live music, dancing, African food prepared by chef Mulu Abate, a dance lesson, and a silent auction featuring a variety of items donated to the organization. All of the funds raised at the event are applied to costs related to tuition, supplies, and shoes for the children at Star of Hope.

The Challenging Cold Water Swim in the Escape from Alcatraz Duathlon

A longtime Seattle executive with a technology background, Edward Anderton serves as managing director of Scarlata Chocolate, a company that produces dark chocolate that emphasizes the use of local, organic, sustainably sourced raw materials. Also a fitness enthusiast, Edward Anderton took part in the Escape from Alcatraz duathlon and placed second within his age group in August of 2015.

The challenging annual event starts with a 1.5-mile swim from a ferry just off Alcatraz across the San Francisco Bay Area to the city, followed by a 7-mile run. The swimming portion is infamous for its difficulty, with swimmers contending with strong currents, fog, and bone-chilling water that make a full wetsuit a must. 

A unique element of the swim portion is that the strong and changeable currents create an L-shaped course, rather than a simple A to B proposition. Top performers typically aim for efficiency and energy conservation in the beginning as they take a direction that compensates for the current and lands them at the Marina Green.