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Doreen Pendgracs
Doreen Pendgracs is author of the Chocolatour series of books, in which she happily links her passions for travel, chocolate, and the creative people who are making it. Volume I of "Chocolatour: A Quest for the World's Best Chocolate," won Pendgracs a Readers' Favorite Award in 2014, and was initially published by Wizard of Words Productions in September, 2013, with a second printing in December, 2013. This volume focuses on the finest chocolatiers of Europe and the UK, with chapters on cocoa growing regions, the health benefits of chocolate, chocolate pairings, and chocolate personalities, in addition to an A-Z Global Guide for Chocolate Lovers.
Pendgracs is currently researching Volume II of "Chocolatour: A Quest for the World's Best Chocolate Adventures," which will focus on the best of the Americas and the Caribbean, expected for publication in 2020. Volume III will focus on Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and other intriguing chocolate-producing parts of the world.
Pendgracs is also co-author of the Canadian bestselling, "Manitoba Book of Everything" published by MacIntyre Purcell in 2008 and co-author of Frommer's Newfoundland & Labrador, First Edition, published by Wiley in 2004. In March, 2010, Dundurn Press published Pendgracs's first solo project, "Before You Say Yes ... A Guide to the Pleasures & Pitfalls of Volunteer Boards." The book received excellent reviews and has been endorsed by Volunteer Manitoba, who have engaged Pendgracs to present a series of workshops based on her book.
Pendgracs is currently immersed in the world of fine chocolate, and has been a keynote speaker at chocolate events and festivals around the world. She also hosts custom chocolate tastings and chocolate pairing events. In addition to artisanal chocolate and cacao, Pendgracs also speaks on the topics of public speaking, crowdfunding, freelance writing, niche writing, travel writing, social media, and volunteerism.
Pendgracs was the final national president of the Professional Writers' Association of Canada (PWAC) until its dissolution in 2021. She is a member of the North American Travel Journalists' Association (NATJA), the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the Manitoba Writers' Guild, and Toastmasters International.
