Willy Wonka Lives

Parents are sweet on Frank Sheftel. And no wonder. The Candy Factory, which Sheftelclaims is the largest and oldest candy-making supplier on the West Coast, has been teaching L.A.-based families the art of confection for nearly 22 years.

Although Los Angeles is home to a number of candy-making suppliers, the Candy Factory conducts hands-on candy-making classes on a regular basis.

“We actually have parents bringing their kids in now who had their own birthday parties here when they were growing up,” North Hollywood’s real-life equivalent of Willy Wonka says.

Because candy-making doesn’t involve the use of an oven (the chocolate melts in a double boiler or a microwave and should never be hot to the touch), it’s safer than most kitchen projects, Sheftel says. “We’ve had 3-year-olds in our family classes. As long as they’re supervised by a parent, it’s fine.”

Family classes are usually scheduled on Saturday afternoons three times a month and center on a specific project that the entire family works on. Additional classes cover topics such as the art of hand-dipped candies, clusters and soft centers, and how to make chocolate baskets. Students get to take home what they make.

Because parties receive first preference at the Candy Factory, Sheftel’s class schedule shifts, but it is usually published about two months in advance. Classes are limited to 35 participants, so it’s wise to reserve space. Groups of 10 or more can book a class on days other than Saturdays.

“We’re not the kind of place where you can just drop in and make chocolate, but sometimes, like when kids are off from school or on vacation, parents will sometimes band together and arrange a special class during a weekday,” Sheftel says.

During a typical 90-minute “family class,” clusters of up to six friends or family members work together on any number of projects--usually, a greeting card-sized house made of chocolate and trimmed with licorice, gum drops and other colorful candies. (Cost: $30 per house.).

“It’s a fun project to do with kids,” says Leslie Cain, who enrolled in a family class with her daughter, Olivia, about six months ago, when Olivia was 4.

Chocolate Molds Reflect Holidays

First, Olivia spooned melted chocolate into molds that were then whisked into the Candy Factory’s freezer for about five to 10 minutes to harden. Together, Leslie and Olivia then dipped Popsicle sticks in melted chocolate to “glue” the house together. Olivia chose the decorations, of course.

“The house was cute, bright and colorful. We kept it for a while, and then Olivia finally ate it,” her mom recalls.

Holidays, of course, invite all sorts of tantalizing variations.

“Valentine’s Day is very big,” Sheftel says. Each year, starting about two weeks before Feb. 14, participants interested in a Valentine’s Day theme make little chocolate heart-shaped boxes and a series of chocolates to fit inside ($17.50 per person).

Come Easter, students churn out bunnies, baskets, eggs and carrots. On Father’s Day, it’s a chocolate tool set; for Mother’s Day, students create bouquets of chocolate flowers.

Birthday parties at the Candy Factory are also a big hit. “There was no cleanup for us, and that was really nice because I was able to sit back and enjoy the party more,” recalls Bruce Blavin, whose daughter, Sasha, celebrated her eighth birthday there in December.

Each two-hour birthday party includes punch, cake, plates, cleanup and candy-making using three types of chocolate or candy coatings and five candy molds featuring one to six items each. “Think of it as a paint-by-numbers using a palate of chocolate and a lollipop stick as your paintbrush,” Sheftel says.

Birthday parties need to be reserved at least six weeks in advance, and guests generally must be 6 or older. (Minimum 15 children, maximum 35; $17.50 a child.)

At Birthday Parties, Let Them Eat Candy

The 18 boys and girls invited to Sasha’s party ranged from 5 to 8 years old. Using a mold chosen by the birthday girl, each guest was able to make about a dozen items in an hour and a half. Their candies were then placed in boxes imprinted with their names. The boxes doubled as take-home party favors.

Cake and punch followed, though by then, many of the kids were reportedly too stuffed with candy to eat.

“With 8-year-olds, you never know how they’re going to respond,” Sasha’s dad says. “But I didn’t see them bored at all. They were having a great time!”

“I made four animals, a sunflower, a kitty and a fish,” the birthday girl recalls. “I liked the sunflower best. It was the hardest, but it was the prettiest. I made it with purple dots and turquoise dots, a blue center and green petals.”

“I had fun,” admits Sasha’s 13-year-old sister, Rachel. “I liked all the different colors. Besides, you could also get dirty and get chocolate on your friends and stuff.”

Would she suggest a birthday party like this for 13-year-olds? “If it’s your close friends, maybe,” Rachel says. “Thirteen-year-olds usually go to the movies or have swimming parties.”

“I think 10 or 11 is a good age for this kind of thing,” Sheftel says. “But we’ve also done sweet 16s of kids who had their eighth birthday party here. You just move onto more mature things--like a three-dimensional car instead of a chocolate bear with balloons.”

It’s the kind of activity that is gentle on the ego, as well. After all, says Sheftel with a wink, “the best thing about this is you can always eat your mistakes.”

BE THERE

The Candy Factory, 12508 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 766-8220. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays for private parties; closed Mondays.