Hi! My name is Stephanie Zonis, and welcome to the November,
1999 (Thanksgiving) edition of "For Chocolate Lovers Only".
Each month you'll find great recipes, tips, and recommendations
on where to find chocolate specialties.
I urge all of my
readers to get into their kitchens this month and cook something.
Bake cookies, stir up a pot of soup for a friend, stir-fry--anything
you like, as long as your kitchen is not merely a place to heat
up convenience or prepackaged foods. If you have children, by
all means get them involved. Cooking and baking are great life
skills to acquire, even if you only know "the basics". And for
me, it's wonderfully satisfying to be able to scoot into the
kitchen and bake bread or make some really good mashed potatoes
or turn out a chocolate dessert. Food is such an integral part
of our lives that we often take it, and the preparation of it,
for granted; I'd like to see that change. Good-quality, well-prepared
food is a joy, and more of us need to appreciate it.
Chocolate Recommendation
of the Month: This month's recommendation is Chocolatepicure,
a website devoted to chocolate. Yes, there are getting to be
a lot of those these days, but this one stands out for a number
of reasons. There are no cute little anthropomorphic critters
dancing around on screens here; these people are serious about
good chocolate. The chocolatiers featured on the site are some
of the best-loved and most well- reputed anywhere. You may not
have heard of all of them, but I can tell you that companies
like Wittamer, Richard Donnelly, and Gourmandises de Maliverny
are famous for their devotion to their craft. There are recipes
and tips, too, not to mention corporate programs and listings
of festivals and events.
Chocolatepicure
also offers three clever Chocolate Clubs. The Chocolate Lover's
Club presents assorted, first-quality chocolates, while
the Couverture Club offers chocolates specifically designed
for baking and cooking. The Premier Chocolate Club combines
the best of both worlds; the lucky recipient will receive both
eating and baking chocolates each month for which you sign them
up. In addition, there are chocolates in the various clubs from
chocolatiers not featured elsewhere on the site. If you know
someone who appreciates fine chocolates (or would like to start
doing so), this company is for you. On line ordering is offered,
of course, and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Check them out
at www.chocolatepicure.com.
Special Section:
Non-Chocolate Gift Foods
We all know them, we all love them: people who can't or won't
eat chocolate. Want to get them some special food gifts for
the holidays? Click here for a highly
selective list of companies, all of which make at least some
commendable non-chocolate food products.
Chocolate Event
of the Month: Are you ready? The Second Annual Chocolate Show
is almost upon us! This year, the Show will be held at the Metropolitan
Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues),
in New York City. Demonstrations by top pastry chefs, including
Claudia Fleming, Jacques Torres, Francois Payard, and Nick Malgieri,
will surprise and delight you. There will be seminars for adults
and children, live music, chocolate tastings, a cookbook store
with author signings, and much more. Chocolatiers at the Show
will include Valrhona, Thuriez, Martine's, Christopher Norman,
Perugina-Baci, Hawaiian Vintage, and too many more to list here.
The Show will run from 26 through 29 November, and admission
prices are $12 for adults, $10 for students with ID's, and $8
for kids under 12 and seniors. Hours: Friday, 26 November, 2
pm to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 27 and 28 November, 11 am to
7 pm; Monday, 29 November, 11 am to 9 pm. For a brochure, call
(toll free) (877) 246-2638. See you all there!
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!
