Need a speaker for your event?

Whether your venue is large or small, Doreen can help create a magical chocolate event for you.

Hire Doreen to speak at your event–large or small.

As a Distinguished Toastmaster, I have educated, entertained, and enticed audiences over the years on a number of topics, including:

The world of fine chocolate/chocolate travel, chocolate appreciation and tasting. As a chocolate researcher, writer, blogger, and author of the award-winning book, Chocolatour: A Quest for the Word’s Best Chocolate, I have travelled to nearly 20 countries (to date) to research the growing of cacao, processing of cocoa beans, and making of artisanal chocolate. I have attended many chocolate events around the world and engaged in a wide variety of choco-centric activities–including being slathered with molten chocolate at the Pure Jungle Spa and other great establishments.

Let me lead your group through a guided chocolate tasting event, a customized or themed chocolate pairing event with the libation(s) of your choice, or help your chef orchestrate a delectable cocoa-based sweet and savoury menu to entice your attendees.

Doreen can prepare an engaging presentation to entertain, educate, and inspire your audience.

Volunteerism. As author of Before You Say Yes … A Guide to the Pleasures & Pitfalls of Volunteer Boards and a lifelong volunteer in the world of non-profits, I can speak to your audience from firsthand experience on how to hold an effective meeting, how to deal with difficult people, and how to be the very best volunteer you can be.

Public Speaking. Many people fear public speaking. I adore it! I can help your group acquire tips on how to tantalize their audience when making a work presentation, a presentation to the board, a funding pitch, a toast to the bride, or a eulogy at a funeral.

Freelance writing. Whether it’s how to be a travel writer, how to make a living as a freelance writer, how to crowdfund your creative project, how to turn your passion (for anything) into words and write about it, or how to have a dynamic and profitable blog, I can offer a customized talk for your group and provide insights into the world of a professional writer and award-winning author.

The chocolate and wine pairing we had at Aaron’s was fantastic, partly due to the warmth of the hosts and the great venue.

Here are several endorsements I’ve received from satisfied colleagues and clients:

The specially curated chocolate tasting for the University Women’s Club of Winnipeg on February 9, 2024, included tasting fresh cocoa beans from Costa Rica, dark milk chocolate produced in Canada with cocoa beans from Trinidad, and tasting truffles from the Dominican Republic.

“Although we didn’t know it when we booked Doreen as our guest speaker, it was the perfect day – i.e. Chocolate Day celebrated on February 9, 2024. However, we soon learned through Doreen’s lively and informative presentation that she recommends eating healthy chocolate every day! And thanks to her knowledge and the delicious tasting we undertook, we learned how to seek out and enjoy the best of the best in the wonderful world of chocolate. Like any good presenter, she left us wanting more — maybe there will be an evening of wine and chocolate pairings in our future??? Many thanks Doreen!”

Sue Bishop & Ros Howard, University Women’s Club of Winnipeg at Ralph Connor House.

“Looking for a unique event to host for your friends, family, or co-workers? I highly recommend Doreen Pendgracs, the Chocolate Queen! Doreen’s extensive knowledge of chocolate from cocoa pods to bold dark chocolate to fun chocolate paired with wines that bring out the flavours of the chocolate makes for an experience that you won’t forget.

Doreen’s presentation is informative and well researched including what she has learned from visiting countries where cocoa is grown, processed, and made into chocolate. From viewing the pods, tasting the beans, then proceeding through stages of chocolate tasting and wine pairing, it is truly a chocogasmic experience! Best of all is Doreen’s presentation style, her enthusiasm, and pure, unadulterated joy of her topic! It’s an experience you won’t forget, and you will never look at or taste chocolate the same way in future!”

Marilyn Robins (co-hosted a chocolate tasting with Doreen in my home, October 28, 2023) Winnipeg, Manitoba

“Doreen’s knowledge and enthusiasm of all things chocolate cannot be beat. She worked with us through the planning stages and helped us to ensure that our fundraiser event was a huge success! From educating the audience about the chocolate they were about to consume to providing a trivia contest to end the evening, Doreen was professional and fun from beginning to end!”

Julianna Robert, Executive Director

October 21, 2023, gala fundraiser chocolate-themed dinner

New Iceland Heritage Museum, Gimli

“Doreen hosted a one-hour virtual presentation and discussion for our group on World Chocolate Day (July 7, 2021) on how cacao is grown, how to select good quality chocolates and the health benefits of eating artisan chocolate. Our online community of U.S. seniors really enjoyed the information as well as Doreen’s ability to answer a wide range of questions. Her enthusiasm for the topic and desire to get our members involved was also much appreciated! Doreen is engaging, smart and friendly and her approach really resonated with our audience.”

Kay Dougherty

Director of Community Engagement

SecureSeniorConnections™

“Doreen co-hosted a number of wine and chocolate tasting events with us beginning on October 20, 2018. Each one has been a wonderful success. All of our guests commented on how much they learned about chocolate and that the wine pairings were perfect. Doreen is an excellent presenter, very prepared and kept the group interested and engaged for two hours. Doreen is passionate about chocolate which is obvious to see when you watch her in front of a crowd. She definitely wants to share that passion with others. It was a pleasure working with Doreen and we would highly recommend her as a presenter.”

Randy & Eleanore McMahon, Owners

Aaron’s on the Lake Bed & Breakfast

Ponemah, Manitoba

“Doreen Pendgracs has twice been our guest speaker at the Selkirk Gaynor Family Library’s Circle of Friends, a weekly presentation program for seniors in our community. Doreen speaks eloquently about her travels to different countries where cocoa is grown and harvested, explaining the planting and harvesting processes, reasons for the difference in taste, and the effects of weather. She paired her entertaining and informative oral presentation with a colourful slide presentation, keeping everyone’s rapt attention for almost two hours. This was highlighted by a large sampling of the different kinds of chocolate for tasting, to the delight of her audience. Doreen has a perfect sense of timing and pacing. Many of our group members commented afterwards on how thoroughly they had enjoyed the afternoon.”

Susan Berry, Coordinator of Friday Circle of Friends

Gaynor Family Library, Selkirk, Manitoba

“Doreen did a wonderful presentation which as a reporter on hand noted, was seen as our best volunteer appreciation event by some he spoke to. Doreen’s contacts within the chocolate industry, and negotiated discount allowed us to give an excellent chocolate gift to all who attended. Doreen’s idea to get several types of bars as gifts for our volunteers was excellent. I noted much of our attendees’ time spent looking at the various choices available to them. I noted many people stopped on the way out to see Doreen’s displays and to get specifics on the wine and chocolate she led them through in the tastings. This was a great event which met the key goal of an enjoyable Thank You for The New Horizons’ volunteers. Our challenge now will be how to match this event in future years!”

Rick Hewson, Volunteer Coordinator

New Horizons 55+ Club

Gimli, Manitoba

“We were so pleased with the reactions from our clients following Doreen Pendgracs presentation at our client appreciation event. Doreen entertained and educated us with her stories of how chocolate is produced in different areas, along with her tales of chocolate travels. We were delighted to taste for ourselves the flavor differences from a couple of different regions. Guests commented on how they have been inspired to learn more about the world of chocolate, about chocolate artisans and of course were delighted with the new found knowledge of the many health benefits chocolate provides.”

Juana Baldwin, CFP, CHS, RRC
Financial Planning Advisor
Assante Financial Management Ltd., Winnipeg, Manitoba

“Doreen Pendgracs delivered a delightful evening of Artisan Chocolate & Wine Pairing at a museum event for us this spring. The audience was completely captivated with Doreen’s knowledgeable–and at times hilarious–presentation of everything you ever wanted to know about chocolate. We received positive feedback from participants for days, and we can hardly wait to have her back for another event!”

Tammy Axelsson, Executive Director
New Iceland Heritage Museum
#108 94-1st Avenue, Gimli, Manitoba, Canada.
Phone: 204-642-4001
www.nihm.ca

“Doreen Pendgracs spoke to the University Women’s Club of Winnipeg in February, 2015. The presentation was fast paced, organized, diverse, and very interesting. Doreen used visuals, hands on material as well as a verbal approach. She was very witty and informative. We all enjoyed her presentation very much. And the chocolate was good too!”

Faye Hansen, (former) Program Chair

University Women’s Club of Winnipeg.

“I have heard Doreen speak many times on a variety of topics. She speaks clearly and with enthusiasm, drawing people into her subject and holding their interest. Doreen engages her listeners with her voice, her animated approach and her knowledge base. She is a pleasure to listen to and open to interacting with the listeners at the appropriate moments, using their contributions to add to the experience.”

Laurel Sarginson

Owner, Evergreen Gate Bed and Breakfast

Past President, Bed and Breakfast of Manitoba

Chair, Red River North Tourism.