Super Committee Sacrifices Beauty Sleep
in Search for Food of the Gods

In the relatively wee hours of Sunday, March 18th at 12:30 p.m., the intrepid Super Committee, a Spearhead representative, friends, and family all gathered to spelunk into the dark (and milk) chocolate depths of the Scharffen Berger chocolate factory in Berkeley, a trip whose ostensible purpose was to find a new supplier for opening night chocolates.

But first, we fortified ourselves in the Scharffen Berger eatery, Café Cacao. Our unflagging and stunningly loud Super enthusiasm barely made a dent in the din of the busy café. Surrounded by beautiful photos of chocolate decadence, our Willy Wonka afternoon started with luscious mimosas and omelets.

After tossing aside our napkins, we let out a hearty "Hoorahhh" and marched into a briefing room, where we learned about the many steps that turn "body snatcher" cacao-seed pods into the "food of the Gods" that some of us can't live without. There was much salivating as we passed around plates of samples and compared nuggets of chocolate created from several different percentages of cacao bean, noting subtle undertones. Could that be orange? No, no, it must be grapefruit.

Sadly, the plates of goodies stopped circulating the room, so we prepared for our tour of the factory, suiting up in gauzy hair-, moustache-, and beard-nets. The tour was a relaxed perambulation of an intimate manufacturing area bereft of activity—the production staff had the day off. No matter. We needed no more proof that Scharffen Berger produces some of the most delicious chocolate in the United States. Please eagerly anticipate Opening Night treats from our new supplier, Scharffen Berger.

Scharffen Berger factory tours and the Café Cacao are located at 914 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707.

As you can see, the Super Committee will go to the ends of the Earth (or at least to the East Bay) to ensure that Supers have the best possible experience with the San Francisco Opera. You, too, can contribute to Super well-being by joining the Super Committee. Elections are coming soon, so send in your committee member nominations or nominate yourself -- and don't forget to vote!

Tour Photos