Something that each and every speaker has had in common is their passion and dedication to their craft. I think that those things are important, and I have been repeatedly impressed at the lengths that these people go to just to present the best product possible.
One thing that I was very impressed by Mathieu from Chocosol was how much groundwork they (and he) have put into their chocolate. They have found this incredible superfood that's been taken so far from its original form, and they have taken it back. As this is derived from a plant that is not native to Canada, they have had to spend a lot of time in other parts of the world, such as Mexico, to learn and work with the farmers to get the greatest quality cacao as possible. For some reason, I wouldn't have expected them to spend that much time so far from home just to ensure that their cacao is the best and the farmers are being treated fairly.
And it wasn't just a split decision business- this has been 11 years in operation and they've only just started to gain speed in the past 3 years. Their perseverance is inspiring, and it really solidifies this idea in my head that if you believe in something strongly enough, you can achieve it.
Ultimately, this class has helped me to take a look at the big picture. I know that it is difficult to be perfect, but as long as I am trying my best to practice Slow Food notions and help make those around me become aware as well, I will feel good about my place in the food system.