Meet Doreen the Chocolate Queen
I write non-fiction books and articles. Following the release of my latest title, Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate–an award-winning chocolate travel book that guides you to the finest chocolate and chocolate experiences of the world–I became known as Doreen the Chocolate Queen! That’s one tasty title, and one that I love having!
I am your Chocolate Adventurist: I look for everything to do about chocolate. Your Chocolate Advocate: I truly care about the world of chocolate and the farmers who are growing the cacao that is made into our wonderful favourite food. I will stop at nothing to get you those interesting posts that have made Chocolatour a favourite among chocolate lovers across the world. And your Chocolate Curator: I’m always on the search for great chocolate in every destination I visit, and will happily share info about it here on my blog, in my social media streams, and in my books.
For more about the world of chocolate, please click on Chocolate under the Blog menu.
Chocolatour volume I was a Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Winner in 2014.
Volume I of Chocolatour won a Bronze Medal in the 2014 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards, and was also named a Finalist in the 2014 North American Travel Journalists Awards.
If you are a chocolate lover and love to travel, you are in the right place, as I have forged the new niche of “chocolate travel” or as I like to call it, Chocolatourism. You will find many posts in the blog that take you around the world in search of remarkable chocolate and chocolate experiences. Have you ever been slathered in molten chocolate? I have, and it’s an incredibly sensual experience that every chocolate lover should take time to enjoy. Stick with me, and I’ll help you find the right place for the kind of chocolate experience you are seeking.
If you’re interested in Chocolatour, the book, you can purchase it here on this site. This site will also keep you abreast of chocolate events and tastings that I’m hosting or speaking at. Click on the “Tours and Events” tab on the homepage to see what I’m up to.
You can engage my services on the “Hire Doreen” page.
I write magazine, newspaper, and online articles and blog posts about travel, lifestyle, nature, entrepreneurship and other topics for various publications. You can read some of my more recently published articles on the “Hire Doreen” page.
My freelance articles and photography have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Westjet magazine, Groups Today, THOR Travel Services Destinations magazine, Western Hotelier, WEST, Canadian Geographic, Highways, RV Lifestyle, CAA/Going Places, DreamScapes, Winnipeg Life, ComFree Homes, Aquascape Landscapes, Hotelier, Harbors, The Costco Connection, Your Office, My Winnipeg Business, Canadian Insurance, Your Convenience Manager, Your Foodservice Manager, Meetings & Incentive Travel, 55 Plus, German Life, The Cottager, The Manitoba Cooperator, Farmers’ Almanac, Travel & Escape, Next Avenue, Vantage Magazine, GoNomad, Travel With a Challenge, Profit, and over the airwaves on CBC radio.
I’ve also been a contributor to several markets specializing in luxury travel for the over 50 demographic.
Here’s what readers are saying about my writing and speaking abilities:
“Doreen has a charismatic combination of deep knowledge with both personal and professional passion for her subject. The combination is magic whether she is heading up an event, speaking, doing research or writing. You won’t find anyone who can represent chocolate or travel with such soul. ” ~ Wendy Peck
“Doreen, your depth of knowledge when it comes to chocolate never ceases to amaze me. I admire anyone who truly goes after any subject to master it, and you certainly do that with chocolate.” ~ Jeri Walker
“You know, to most of us having to write one post about chocolate would be a challenge and here you are writing one every week and still able to keep them interesting and tell us stuff we didn’t know. That’s pretty amazing, Doreen.” ~ Lenie Hokansson
Before You Say Yes
“Before You Say Yes: is a book for non-profit volunteers written by Doreen Pendgracs.
In March, 2010, Before You Say Yes was released by Dundurn Press and has been renowned as the “volunteer’s bible” as it was written to serve as the ultimate guide for anyone sitting on a board of directors in the non-profit sector. Read the foreword for the book.
I present and facilitate customized workshops for non-profit groups who need help with board development or dealing with issues impeding the effectiveness of their boards.
On the lighter side of life, I’ve also co-authored two travel books: a guidebook on Canada’s most easterly province: Frommer’s Newfoundland & Labrador (1st edition, published April, 2004 by Wiley), and the bestselling Manitoba Book of Everything, published by MacIntyre Purcell, October, 2008.
In addition to books and a wide variety of periodical assignments, I’ve also done writing/editing projects for various corporate clients including the Interlake Tourism Association, Canadian Tourism Commission, and Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, and have conducted writing and copyright workshops for the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC), the Manitoba Writers’ Guild (MWG), the Manitoba Magazine Publishers Association, and Grant McEwan College.
As a member of Toastmasters International and a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), my speaking abilities have dazzled audiences on Celebrity Cruise Lines, at chocolate festivals, curated private events, and in other forums. I am founder and president of the Toastmasters in the Arts club in the Interlake region of Manitoba. We meet in Gimli for 10 months of the year, and in Ponemah for July and August.
Connect with me
Doreen Pendgracs
For a look at some of my recommendations on travel, chocolate, fine cuisine, favourite sayings and other things that strike my fancy, please visit me on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram.
I enjoy sharing the knowledge I’ve acquired as a professional freelance writer since 1993 and have formally and informally mentored many new and emerging writers and many new Toastmasters. I also served as the final National President for the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), which on April 1, 2020, joined with the Canadian Media Guild to launch the Canadian Freelance Guild. I was co-chair of the launch team for this exciting new organization and the chair of the executive team to dissolve PWAC.
I am also a member of The Writers Union of Canada (TWUC), the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA), and the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association.
The Writing tab on my site offers posts about life, and the writing community that I love. And it’s about your thoughts as much as it is mine. Please peruse the posts you will find throughout this blog, and join the conversation. We have a very warm and welcoming group that is anxious to hear your thoughts.
And from time to time, we have a guest blogger join us with a unique perspective on a topic that I think you will find of interest. Please subscribe to this site so you don’t miss a post.
If you’re on facebook, please take a moment to “like” my author’s page. I’d love to connect with you there and on Twitter (now X) as well. You’ll also find my profile and social media connections on my about.me page at Doreen on about.me.
Please know that everything you read on this site is copyrighted by me (both text and pictures), and if you wish to quote or repost anything you read or see, please request permission or terms via the contact page.
Thanks for visiting, and Ciao for now! I promise to keep the flavour fresh, and the experiences exciting–as long as you join me!
Recent Comments