This story has everything and nothing to do with chocolate. This was supposed to be a story about chocolate — specifically, an unlikely chocolate shop in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. It was supposed to be about where chocolate comes from (it grows on trees), how it is made from cacao beans…

When things get tough, I get cooking. — Five minutes ago, I showed my sous chef how to hold a stalk of asparagus and flex it gently to find the spot where woody end becomes tender spear. Now she’s clutching one between two fists, breaking it right in the middle. Snap, as it breaks in half, thwack, as…

My mom’s cookies broke all the rules, but to me, they were perfect. Here’s how most chocolate-chip cookie recipes go: in a mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Dribble in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Fold…