Boo! My name is Stephanie Zonis, and welcome to the October, 1998 (Halloween) edition of "For Chocolate Lovers Only". Each month you'll find great recipes, tips, and recommendations on where to find chocolate specialties. This month, there are several recipes geared toward kids, and one specifically for adults in Halloween mode.

Chocolate Recommendation of the Month:
Chocolates To Die For
33 West Franklin Street
Centerville, OH 45459.
This company has a selection of truffles, small "piece" chocolates, and chocolate wafers that make me giddy. My favorites are the wafers, called "Charlemagnes"; they are thin and classy and blend good, very dark chocolate with flavors as diverse as mint or Earl Grey tea. Save room for the "piece" chocolates, called "pralines", as they come in beautiful shapes and with fillings I wish I could make. The truffles are large and covered in chocolate shavings or coconut. Bite through the chocolate shell of one and you'll find a center of exquisite smoothness. And I haven't forgotten the chocolate hazelnut spread, smooth and rich, with good flavors of both the title ingredients.

Chocolates To Die For has a great selection of gift boxes or containers, and I especially like their oversized cappuccino cup and saucer, which would be a fun present for a favorite coffee lover (the cup contains 5 individually-wrapped truffles). These chocolates are not cheap, but it is obvious that good ingredients (including Belgian chocolate) are used to make them, and you get what you pay for. Any of the assortments they offer would make fine holiday gifts, and chocolate always comes in the right color and style!

Call them toll-free at 1-(888) BEL-CHOC, or fax them at 1-(937) 435-8420.

The Chocolate Show is coming to New York City!!!!
Friday, November 29 through Tuesday, December 1, 1998, from 11 am to 8 pm daily (except till 10 pm on Saturday, November 28), The Chocolate Show will be at The Puck Building, 293 Lafayette St. (corner of Houston St.). Purchase chocolates or place holiday gift orders from the likes of Godiva, Perugina, Li-Lac, Scharffen Berger, and Valrhona. Listen to music, check out the interactive exhibits, look for the tasting booths and cookbook signings, and attend seminars and demonstrations (for kids as well as adults). There will even be high-fashion dresses made of chocolate, they tell me. Chefs and chocolatiers already signed up include Nick Malgieri, Elaine Gonzalez, Jacques Torres, Rose Levy Berenbaum, Dorie Greenspan, Carole Bloom, Colette Peters, Robert Linxe, and Flo Braker, as well as some from famous city eateries (Chris Broberg from Lespinasse, for example). Admission price is ten dollars per adult, five dollars per child under 12 or for culinary students with ID's. I'll be there, too, for at least a couple of days, so come up and say hello if you see me.

Do you have a comment, question or suggestion? I'd like your input into this column. You can reach me at: sdziadwm@nac.net; please specify that you're writing regarding "For Chocolate Lovers Only". Thank you!