Recently on this site, Sarah introduced you to the local husband and wife team behind the company Crated with Love, and I told you about their event, Roasted with Love – a couples’ coffee- and chocolate-tasting paired with a competition complete with prizes.
Last Saturday, my husband and I attended the event, and since it was Crated with Love’s first Date Night Fresno event, I thought you might be interested in hearing how it went and what we did.
Roasted with Love was hosted at Lanna Coffee Co. in downtown Fresno, and featured on-site roasted coffee as well as food from local restaurant Benaddiction and artisan chocolate from Raphio Chocolate.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by Crated with Love staff, who checked us in and provided us with tasty, made-to-order breakfast burritos from Benaddiction and invited us to relax and enjoy some coffee while we waited for everyone to arrive and check in.
The Competition
Once everyone had a chance to enjoy their food, Crated with Love co-founder Tyler Turk explained how the couples competition would work. There were six stations set up around the room that provided couples with a different challenge, each focusing on either coffee or chocolate. The stations we experienced were as follows:
1. Coffee Taste Testing
We tasted three different roasts of Lanna coffee and had to match the coffee to the package based on the description (we got 100% on this on our first try – we were off to a good start!)
2. Thai Trivia
Lanna Coffee uses profits to provide clean drinking water to Thailand. At this station, we learned more about its mission, and answered a multiple choice quiz. (We got 4 out of 5 right. Not too shabby.)
3. Coffee Bean Stacking
This station reminded me of a “Minute to Win It” type game. The objective was to stack three coffee beans on top of each other, and my husband and I had to take turns placing beans on the stack. This challenge was super difficult and frustrating! Next time, I’m whipping out some eyelash glue and cheating! Kidding. Mostly…
4. Chocolate Tasting
We were treated to a chocolate-tasting with Raphio Chocolate owner, Elisia Makmur, who had us taste four different varieties of chocolate and guess which variety was which based on taste and description. (We got 100% on this one – woot, woot!)
5. Chocolate Quality Quiz
At this station, we tasted four different chocolate bars and had to determine which had the greatest amount of actual cacao in it, as well as the fewest added ingredients. (I was really surprised at the results of this test, and we only got one right!)
6. Blindfolded Communication Game
The final station consisted of a pile of cacao beans painted coral and aqua and a pair of color-coded jars for each couple. Our task was to blindfold one partner and communicate using words only, so that the blindfolded partner could pick up the beans and place as many as possible into the corresponding colored jar. We did pretty well at this one, though it was challenging!
At each station, we had the opportunity to earn raffle tickets, and after all couples had a chance to participate in all six stations, Tyler held a raffle and gave away four prizes: A gift certificate to Lanna Coffee, a wine and chocolate basket, and 6- and 12-month subscriptions to his monthly date box subscription, Crated with Love.
Unfortunately, we didn’t win any raffle prizes, but every couple who attended still received a free Crated with Love sample box, complete with Lanna Coffee and Raphio Chocolate inside, and we all had a great time.
Following the event, Crated with Love followed up with a guest experience survey and a code for 50% off a first month of their date box subscription.
Future Date Night Fresno Events
Crated with Love is currently planning additional Date Night Fresno events, including an Old Town Clovis Scavenger Hunt and a Cocktail Making Class/Party. Follow them on Facebook for info on future events.
Overall, we had a great time at the first Date Night Fresno event and would definitely consider attending future events planned by Tyler and Michelle Turk.
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