Chocolate News and Updates

CHOCOLATE AWARDS: May Deadline for Bar | Toffee | Caramel | Bridal Categories

2014-05-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon, producers of the Original and Premier Artisan Chocolate events and competitions in North America, remind our Partners that Registration ends on May 22nd for the 2014 Chocolate Award Competitions for the following categories:

Best Chocolate BAR
Top CARAMELS
Top TOFFEE
Best WHITE Chocolate
Best BRIDAL Chocolates

Chocolatiers and Confections can register or get more information for these juried product-submission competitions (not events) using the forms at www.ArtisanChocolateAwards.com

TasteTV Events include:

6-Star Award Chocolate Beverages

2014-03-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

6-Star chocolate beverages from Moonstruck Chocolate Co. and Tisano Chocolate Tea, as rated in the www.ArtisanChocolateAwards.com

TasteTV Events include:

David Bacco Chocolates Video

2014-02-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

Blake Lively credits chocolate with helping her stay slim

2013-11-05T09:51:00.001-08:00

"Gossip Girl" star and actress Blake Lively says she uses chocolate to stay slim.

Per Blake, "I eat chocolate every day and I don't work out."

TasteTV Events include:

LA CHOCOLATE SALON: Chocolatiers and Celebrities

2013-09-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon are pleased to announce some of the chocolatiers and presenters at the Original and Premier Artisan Chocolate event in Southern California, the

7th Annual Los Angeles CHOCOLATE SALON

on October 6, 2013 in Pasadena.

Celebrating its anniversary, the 2013 Seventh Annual LA CHOCOLATE SALON participants include chocolatiers, confectioners, and other culinary artisans
Celebrating its anniversary, the 2013 Seventh Annual LA CHOCOLATE SALON participants include chocolatiers, confectioners, and other culinary artisans, such as Amano Artisan Chocolate, Mignon Chocolate Boutique, Amella Caramels, CocoTutti, Marti Chocolatt, Toffee Talk, Chuao Chocolatier, Butterfly Brittle, Chocolates by M Josephs, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Valenza Chocolatier, Droga Chocolates, Marco Paolo Chocolates, Amara Chocolate, The Toffee Box, Hot Chocolat, Monterey Chocolate Company, La Dolce Vita Gourmet, Farm Fresh To You, Gourmet Blends, the Chocolate Shop Wine, Rosa d'Oro Vineyards, Alquimia Organic Tequila, Hangar 24 Craft Brewery Chocolate Porter, Honest Tea, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, The Sugar Lab, KRAVE Jerky, Beantrees Organic Coffee Company, Meetup.com, PK Perfumes, TasteTV, Chocolate Television, and more.

Entertaining and educational presentations include:

Art Pollard of Amano Artisan Chocolate on Fair Trade Chocolate

Kallari Chocolate on Chocolate from Ecuador

Bobby Bognar of History Channel's Food Tech screening scenes from "Food Tech" and his latest food television program

Demonstrations from Le Cordon Bleu instructors

KABC Radio Host and Bikini Chef Susan Irby on healthy eating and chocolate

LA film talent Dave Shelton on Chocolate in television and films

Trish Procetto of TOURific Escapes on Her favorite chocolate tour spots in LA

Jackie Dodd The Beeroness on How to pair beer and chocolate

Liz von Hasseln of The Sugar Lab on how they invented using 3D printing technology to create 3D sugar sculptures and designs

The Gourmandise School from Santa Monica

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

7th Annual Los Angeles Chocolate Salon
October 6, 2013
Pasadena Conference Center
300 Green Street
Pasadena
www.LAChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

Best Bridal Chocolates Announced in the Artisan Chocolate Awards

2013-08-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon are pleased to announce the National 2013 Award Winners of the competition for Best Bridal Chocolates.

The winners of the Best Chocolates for Brides were divided into Gold, Silver, and Bronze for categories such as Most Delicious Ingredient Combinations, Most Artistic Designs, Best Bridal Gift Set, and Best for the Wedding Reception.

Gold Chocolate Award winners were Beijo de Chocolat, Chocolate Fetish, Chubby Chipmunk Hand-Dipped Chocolates, Delysia Chocolatier, FGR Chocolate Collection, Roberts Confections, Seattle Chocolate Company, Socola Chocolatier, and Truffles in Paradise

The top chocolates for brides and weddings were reviewed by a panel of industry experts. These panelists were Tara Bradley (Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine), Stacie Tamaki (The Flirty Blog), Sadaf H. Kherani (South Asian Bride Magazine), Rachel Ward (Brides California magazine), Mary Clarke (Bridal Guide magazine), Laurie Nicoud (Exquisite Weddings magazine), Juli Rathke (Rocky Mountain bride magazine), Jennifer Stein (Destination I Do Magazine), Emily Thomas (Southern Weddings magazine), and Cristine Thomas (Today's Bride San Francisco magazine).

Winners can be found on the Artisan Chocolate Awards site, www.ArtisanChocolateAwards.com, under "Categories by Competition."

The International Chocolate Salon presents category-Specific "Best in Salon Awards" for Chocolatiers & Confectioners, as well as annual Awards for the "Best Chocolatiers & Confectioners in America." In addition, it producers chocolate tasting events such as the Los Angeles Chocolate Salon, the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon, the Fall Chocolate Salon, and the Seattle Chocolate Salon. TasteTV also produces the program www.ChocolateTelevision.com

via: PRLog.com

TasteTV Events include:

Giada De Laurentiis and Conan O'Brien Make Chocolate Linguini

2013-06-07T11:12:00.004-07:00

Chocolate can be tasty, sexy, mysterious, confusing, intriguing, and messy... but rarely all at the same time.

Giada De Laurentiis and Conan O'Brien making chocolate linguini however is the exception.

TasteTV Events include:

Seattle Chocolate Salon - New Products to Watch

2013-04-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

NEW PRODUCTS TO WATCH at the May 5th Seattle Chocolate Salon:

Taza - 87% bar - The darkest chocolate they make. Nutty, floral, and incredibly intense, this is the only American chocolate crafted from cacao grown by the Bolivian cooperative CIAAB (Central Integral Agroecologica de Alto Beni). A singular, profound cacao experience. 100% USDA certified organic.
CocoTutti -Tea infusions: Assam, Rooibos and Yunnan - richly flavored, colorful chocolates featuring teas from India, South Africa and China. These recipes were developed over a 3 month period for launch in Seattle.Blood Orange and, separately, Strawberry - Two bon bons that each contain their housemade marmalades and jams.
The Chocolate Shop - Sparkling Chocolate Wine - Chocolate Shop wine made in a delicious champagne style
Forte Chocolates - Caramel with Rosemary and Orange and Chipotle Caramel with Orange
Gusto Chocolates - All new product line - All of the Gusto bars are new to the salon. Gusto is a new division of Forte Chocolates focusing on the savory side of chocolate. Bars offered include: Lemon Pepper, Rosemary Sea Salt, Balsamic Vinegar, Bacon, Milk Sea Salt, and Honey.
The Tea Room Chocolate Company - Lapsang Souchong w/ Himilayan Salt Chocolate Bar - organic dark chocolate bar of 60% cacao infused w/ organic Lapsang Suchong tea & Himilayan Salt. Lapsang Souchong is a smoky tea that has the savory flavor of smoked pine, as the tea is dried over this.

The Original Artisan Chocolate event in the Northwest this millenium returns with the 6th Annual Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON on May 5, 2013.

Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

Featuring a delicious selection chosen and curated by the Organizers, Seattle CHOCOLATE SALON participants in 2013 include chocolatiers, confectioners and other culinary artisans such as Amano Artisan Chocolate, Intrigue Chocolate Co., Forte Chocolates, Gusto Chocolates, Taza Chocolate, CocoTutti, Ykchaua Chocolates, Emily's Chocolates, WOW Chocolates, Theo Chocolate, The TeaRoom Chocolate Company, Smitten Truffles, Wine World & Spirits, Chocolate Shop Wine, MDP Chocolates, Wild Sweets by Dominique & Cindy Duby, Fiori Chocolate, Maplecor, Yelp, TasteTV and more. www.seattlechocolatesalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

New CHOCOLATE AWARDS Categories Added - International Chocolate Salon

2013-04-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon, producers of the Original and Premier Artisan Chocolate events and competitions in North America, are pleased to announce that based on Industry requests, we have added two additional Chocolate Awards categories for 2013.

· Best WHITE Chocolate

· Best Chocolate BEVERAGE

Registration ends on May 20th for the 2013 Chocolate Award Competitions for the following categories:

Image removed by sender.

· Best Chocolate BAR

· Best CARAMEL

· Top TOFFEE

· Best BRIDAL Chocolates

Chocolatiers and Confectioners can register or get more information for these juried product-submission competitions (not events) using the forms at www.InternationalChocolateSalon.com or at www.LuxuryChocolateAwards.com

TasteTV Events include:

San Francisco Chocolate Salon - Chocolate Design Winners

2013-03-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

As a new part of the 7th Annual San Francisco Chocolate Salon on March 24th, the Original and Premier Artisan Chocolate show on the West Coast, there will be a gallery of chocolate-inspired art. The pieces range from paintings, to jewelry to ceramic (such as this ceramic chocolate cupcake by Sandra Cohen-Wynn, pictured).

Other displaying artists include: Carolyn Tillie, Melissa Rice, Kristin Stanchfield, Susanne Friedrich, Nikki Lau, Joan Pearson, Janet Lohr, and Bethany Garland

7th Annual San Francisco

INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE SALON
March 24, 2013
10am - 6pm
Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion
1 Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
www.SFChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

SF Chocolate Salon - New Products to Watch in 2013

2013-03-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS TO WATCH
at The SF Chocolate Salon on March 24th:

Socola Chocolatier - Vegan Kheer Truffles - Made with dark chocolate, coconut milk, cardamom, almond, pistachio, raisins and rose water.
Almanac Beer - "Biere de Chocolat" - Made in conjunction with Dandelion Chocolate.
Wilson Creek Winery - Almond Champagne
FGR - New Hazelnut Dragee - Italian hazelnuts caramelized with milk chocolate made of a mix of Domori white chocolate and Nocciola Tonda Gentile Delle Langhe
The Bread Project - Tcho Chocolate Babka - A modern twist on this time tested Eastern European cult favorite by adding in candied orange zest, shrunk the babka, placed it lovingly in a tulip cup and voila, "the baby babka" was born.
Nosh This - Honey-Walnut Fleur de Sel Caramel - Enrobed in 72% chocolate and made with Bay Area Bee Company honey and organic walnuts
Marco Paolo Chocolates - Coconut Nectar Brittle Bark - Luscious brittle made with coconut nectar, coconut cream, and shredded coconut covered in dark chocolate topped with coconut shavings
Neo Cocoa - Marshmallow "Peeps" Truffle - A layer of handmade vanilla marshmallow sandwiched between chocolate ganache cut into bit-sized morsels and enrobed in dark cocoa powder
Casa De Chocolates - Mole Bar - A family recipe blend of 11 spices and chiles, roasted in Berkeley and sprinkled over 61% dark chocolate.
Wine Market - All wines poured during the day are also available for purchase by the bottle to take home from the Salon.

7th Annual San Francisco
INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE SALON
March 24, 2013
10am - 6pm
Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion
1 Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
www.SFChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

San Francisco CHOCOLATE SALON 2013 Participants

2013-03-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

The San Francisco CHOCOLATE SALON is on March 24, 2013.

Featuring the "BEST OF THE "BEST" selected and curated by the Organizers, the 7th Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 40 master chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans such as: Amano Artisan Chocolates, CocoTutti, Taza Chocolate, Butterfly Brittle, FGR, Marco Paolo Chocolates, Jade Chocolates, Socola Chocolatier, Clarine's Florentines, Casa De Chocolates, Smitten Artisan Truffles, Nosh This, Amella Caramels, Sixth Course Artisan Confections, William Dean Chocolates, Kallari Organic Dark Chocolate from Ecuador, Toffee Talk, Rachel Dunn Chocolates, the TeaRoom chocolates, Guittard Chocolate Company, Poco Dolce, Plumeria Flours - cookies & confections, Landru Chocolates, Toffeeology, Neo Cocoa, Marich Confectionery, Saratoga Chocolates, Mission Blue Confections, Snake & Butterfly, Quail Point Chocolates, Kika's Treats, Fab Delights Chocolate Truffles, NEWTREE Gourmet Chocolate Bars, Charles Chocolates, Friend in Cheeses Jam Company, Earthbody, Farm Fresh To You, SpringLoaf Catering & Event Planning, the Bread Project, the Winery SF, Quady Winery, R&B Cellars, Jerk'NPickle artisan beef jerky, Be A Gourmet, Vibrant Rioja wines from Spain, Tipsy Tea, ChocolatRouge wine, Chocolate Shop Wine, Rosa d'Oro Vineyards, Spicy Vines, Alquimia Tequila, Raff Distillerie Emperor Norton Absinthe, Moreno BHLV Sparkling, Eristavi Winery, Laujor Estate Winery, Almanac Beer Biere de Chocolat, The Melt food truck, Seamless.com, Wilson Creek Winery Almond Champagne, Cuisine Noir magazine, San Francisco Professional Food Society, Gems and Silver, The San Francisco Bay Area Chocolate Meetup, Carolyn Tillie Designs, Dark Garden Unique Corsetry, TasteTV, and many more.

7th Annual San Francisco
INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE SALON
March 24, 2013
10am - 6pm
Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion
1 Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
www.SFChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

Video: SF Chocolate Salon sneak peek

2013-03-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

TasteTV Events include:

San Francisco Chocolate Salon Presenters

2013-02-20T09:51:00.000-08:00

The premier chocolate show on the West Coast, the 7th Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON, has the pleasure of announcing this year's lineup of chocolate, food and lifestyle gurus speaking at this year's event on March 24, 2013.

The SF Chocolate Salon is the highlight of SF CHOCOLATE WEEK events, promos and specials at restaurants and shops around the Bay Area.

Salon speaker topics range from Pairing Chocolate and Wine, Where Fine Quality Chocolate comes from, and The Story of Chocolate in France, to Chocolate Scented Orchids and Vanilla Bean Vines, Marcia Gagliardi's Picks on SF's Best Chocolate Desserts, and Chocolate and Pilates.

Some of the speakers for this year include:

Leslie Sbrocco, TV Host, Author, KQED "Check Please" and Thirsty Girl TV
Marcia Gagliardi, Author, Writer, Tablehopper.com, KGO Radio, "The Tablehopper's Guide to Dining and Drinking in SF"
Art Pollard, Award Winning Master Chocolatier, Amano Artisan Chocolate
Stephen Durfee, Author, CEPC, Culinary Institute of America, "World Chocolate Masters", TLC, Bocuse d'Or

OTHER SPEAKERS:

Kathy Wiley, Poco Dolce
Gary Guittard, Guittard Chocolate Company
Mary Loomas, Saratoga Chocolates - Chocolate Recipe Demo
Heinz Rimann, The TeaRoom Chocolate - Chocolate Mousse Demo
Bruce Rogers - "Chocolate Scented Orchids and Vanilla Bean Vines"
Professor Suzanne C. Toczyski, Sonoma State Univ. - "The Story of Chocolate in France"
Amy Sherman, CookingwithAmy.com
Chocolate & Pilates demonstration, by Mercury Fitness
Elyce Zahn CocoTutti Chocolates - "Essences and Aromas for Chocolate Lovers"

All presentations, talks and seminars will take place at the Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion. Tickets are available at www.SFChocolateSalon.com.

TasteTV Events include:

San Francisco Chocolate Salon, 7th Annual

2013-02-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

The 7th Annual San Francisco International Chocolate Salon is on March 24th, and the current lineup includes over 40 master chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans such as:

Amano Artisan Chocolates, CocoTutti, Taza Chocolate, Butterfly Brittle, Emporio Rulli, Marco Paolo Chocolates, Jade Chocolates, Socola Chocolatier, Clarine's Florentines, Artisan Confections, Casa De Chocolates, Smitten Artisan Truffles, Nosh This, Arrowhead Chocolates, Sixth Course Artisan Confections, William Dean Chocolates, Kallari Organic Dark Chocolate from Ecuador, Rachel Dunn Chocolates, the TeaRoom chocolates, Earthbody, Farm Fresh To You, SpringLoaf Catering & Event Planning, the Winery SF, Quady Winery, Jerk'NPickle artisan beef jerky, Vibrant Rioja wines from Spain, and more.

For more information: www.SFChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

Marou Chocolate from Vietnam

2013-01-25T14:54:00.000-08:00

New from Vietnam, we've found the beautifully packaged chocolate bars from Marou Chocolate.

Yes, Vietnam has chocolate!

The firm was founded by a couple of French men who, obviously, love good chocolate. The taste of course is delicious, and the terroir is noticeable.

These early editions were photographed at the Chocolate Covered boutique.

TasteTV Events include:

Littlejohn's Candies - Thrillist Video

2013-01-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

A video by Thrillist.com about Littlejohn's Candies, which makes English Style toffee

TasteTV Events include:

Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America Awards Announced

2013-01-03T10:46:00.000-08:00

The International Chocolate Salon Awards for Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America announced!

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon are pleased to announce the names of the 2013 Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America Award winners, which are now available on the awards site. The names of the 6-Star Award Winners, 5-Star Award Winners, and 4-Star Award Winners are listed

The 6-Star Award Winners are Amano Artisan Chocolate, CocoTutti, Forte Chocolates, La Chatelaine Chocolat Co., Marti Chocolatt, and Sixth Course Artisan Confections.

The 5-Star Award Winners are AMELLA, Chocolot, Chuao Chocolatier, DEUVO Gourmet Sweets, Droga Confections, Feve Artisan Chocolatier, Marco Paolo Chocolates, Mignon Chocolate, Socola Chocolatier, The TeaRoom Chocolate Co., Toffee Talk, and William Dean Chocolates.

The 4-Star Award Winners can be seen listed on the site

http://www.internationalchocolatesalon.com/

TasteTV Events include:

Companies ask: "Is chocolate the new Viagra"?

2012-12-10T08:52:00.001-08:00

The NZ Herald asks: "Is chocolate the new Viagra?"

We answer: "Of course it is"

According to a recent article:

...the introduction of a 'turbo-charged' type of chocolate said to have Viagra-like properties. The world's largest chocolate-maker has developed a technique to concentrate levels of key plant chemicals called flavanols.
These are found in cocoa beans but are normally stripped out in the chocolate-making process.
Swiss-based chocolate giant Barry Callebaut is said to be just weeks away from getting the go-ahead from the EU to claim the 'turbo-charged' chocolate boosts health by increasing blood flow.
Industry experts say it will then be only a matter of time before it is incorporated into novelty chocolates, pastes and drinks that, like Viagra, use a rush of blood to stop a man from being a flop in the bedroom.
The flood of feel-good hormones to the brain would be an added bonus, the International Chocolate Industry Network event heard this week

If that's not exciting enough, go get a bar of dark chocolate and test the theory.

TasteTV Events include:

Taza Popup Hot Chocolate Shop

2012-11-29T06:30:00.000-08:00

Every Friday afternoon from November 23rd through December 21st, the Revere Hotel Boston Common is hosting “Pop It Like It’s Hot,” a gourmet hot chocolate pop-up shop, in its lobby.

Free hot chocolate is served, provided by Taza Chocolates.

Via Bostinno

If you want to see more about Taza, their video story is here:

Giant Chocolate Train set

2012-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

A chocolate train for the Brussels Chocolate Week sets a world record.

See video:

TasteTV Events include:

Candy Wrapper Exhibition

2012-11-17T10:47:00.000-08:00

The Museum of Craft and Design (MCD) has announced its new pop-up exhibition at the Dogpatch Café and Gallery in San Francisco. Charlotte Kruk – Eye Candy, features wearable sculptures designed from discarded candy wrappers created by Charlotte Kruk, who pulls the wrapper back on a culture known for comparing women, particularly well-dressed women, as “eye candy.” The exhibition, curated by Marc D’Estout, opens November 15, 2012 and continues through January 25, 2013.

“This exhibition is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season,” said JoAnn Edwards, Executive Director of the Museum of Craft and Design. “Fashion and candy are both seen in abundance at this time of year. To experience both in a provocative new way is a guilty pleasure.”

Kruk, a San Jose-based artist, repurposes discarded wrappers as a palette for transforming the inherent beauty of packaging with a wink toward gluttony. “Eye Candy” features Kruk’s candy wrapper couture as a means for offering commentary about the disposable, packaged nature of our society. Her designs are crafted from a range of discarded candy wrappings, cake mix boxes and other various materials that are used as the primary palette.

“The exhibition is a fun and interesting exhibition that causes us to rethink the innovative and creative ways we can reuse packaging,” said Marc D’Estout, Curator of the Museum of Craft and Design. “It also points up our cultural tendency to obsess about women’s outward appearances.”

“Eye Candy” is MCD’s second pop up exhibition at the Dogpatch Café and Gallery. The museum recently announced its move to the historic American Industrial Center at 2569 Third Street the Dogpatch neighborhood. The new location is a result of MCD’s comprehensive search for a location that would allow for the continued growth of its artistic mission and future exhibition plans. The museum will be open to the public in early 2013.

See more about Popup Restaurants and Popup Museum

TasteTV Events include:

The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon

The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon

The Chicago Chocolate Salon

The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon

The TASTE AWARDS

William Dean Chocolates Video

2012-10-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

Vice Chocolates Video

2012-10-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

CHOCOLATE Awards Announced: Truffle Artistry 2012

2012-10-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon are pleased to announce the winners of this year's national competition for: Best Truffle Art

The rankings for these products be seen by going to InternationalChocolateSalon.com and selecting the appropriate competition.

We thank our great panels of judges for all of their hard work, as well as the San Francisco Travel, and congratulate the participants. Judges for this competition consisted of food writers, chocolate gurus, chefs, and luxury marketing experts.

Gold winners include: Forte Chocolates, Chocolot and Chocistry.