PUBLISHED 04/30/2008
In 2002, 39-year-old Tuesday Evans was ready for a change. After getting laid off from her job as a sales trainer, Evans decided to ditch the corporate world to pursue one of her lifelong passions: chocolate. Three months later, she opened Empire Torte, a mail-order confectionery (based in Westborough, Massachusetts) that specializes in handmade, flourless chocolate tortes.
Even with a new business to keep her busy, Evans didn't let her other big passion--running--fall by the wayside. That same year, she ran the Boston Marathon (her first 26.2) for charity, finishing in 4:30. Six years later, Evans is still just as passionate about selling chocolate confections--and about logging quality miles. In between orders for tortes, she fits in about 25 miles a week. On Memorial Day weekend, she'll compete with her husband and 17-year-old son as part of a relay team in the Vermont City Marathon.
After a well-run race, Evans loves to celebrate with chocolate. Her recipe for Finishing Kick Chocolate Sauce uses ground espresso beans for flavor and texture, as well as a surprising secret ingredient: a tablespoon of olive oil. "It sounds weird," says Evans, "but the oil really harmonizes with the dark chocolate." Poured over ice cream, she says, it's the perfect postrace reward for any chocolate lover.
Go here to learn how to make Evans' recipe for Finishing Kick Chocolate Sauce.
Off the Menu
Why she runs: "I started running 17 years ago after my son was born. Now I run so I can eat chocolate."
Favorite local run: "The last nine miles of the Boston Marathon. I like that Boston is a really old place with a lot of history."
Favorite chocolate product: "Dove chocolate ice-cream bars. It's the perfect mix of sweet and bittersweet with a bit of crunch."
Where to find her: Empire Torte, 800-908-6783, empiretorte.com.
