Patty Denny is a busy lady. Between owning and growing her own business and occasional troubles with peanut butter mousse, we are lucky to get a moment of her time to ask a few questions. This month, not only is she our featured artist, but will also be making time to host a chocolate tasting class at the Ah Haa School for the Arts in which she will share chocolate from her favorite chocolatiers, including a number of famous chocolate companies found on prestigious “best chocolate company” lists. Yum!
Here is 10 minutes with Patty Denny. Owner and head chocolatier of Telluride Truffle.
When did you move to Telluride and what brought you here?
I moved in 1993 from NYC. I was looking for an educated and artistic community where I could do outdoor sports year around. Telluride fit the bill.
Aside from making truffles what do you do in your free time?
Ski, of course and hike and travel outside of Telluride only to return and think how lucky I am to live here.
What gives you goosebumps?
Kindness. I absolutely love seeing people reaching out to others who need help. So moving.
When are you most creative?
When I don't have a deadline or when I am excited by the project. When I was asked to do a custom truffle design representing Yosemite for a large benefit there. That was a really fun project. It came out really good and is still one of my favorite designs.
What's one item on your bucket list?
Travel travel travel. Ok... that's three.
What's you favorite random fact?
Polar bears can eat as many as 86 penguins in a single sitting.... poor penguins.
When are you the happiest?
When I do what I call "stream of consciousness days." Those are days when I have absolutely no agenda or plans and I just go out and see what happens. I recently did it for 3 days - just packed a bag, got in my car and just drove and explored whatever interested me at any moment. It was fantastic.
If you could break any world record what would it be?
I would like to see Telluride Truffle become an international brand. Opening stores around the world - that would be so much fun. Not sure if that is a world record though.
Patty is just one of the many talented artists that live and create in the Telluride Arts District.