Author of Ed Engoron’s Choclatique, Running Press, 2011
This week a couple of recipes from Choclatique—150 Simply Elegant Desserts were named by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson, reporter for MORE.com, as two of the Best Chocolate Recipes Ever! Now this was in an article where renowned chocolatiers and pastry chefs shared their favorite dessert, candy and drinks recipes. The two she loved from Choclatique were Faultless Chocolate Soufflé and Bittersweet Chocolate Tart. It just so happens that these are a two of my favorites as well. Aside from the recipes there were several other interesting desserts that I will be making and tasting over the weekend. You can read all about it here.
Martha Stewart also had great things to say about Choclatique—the chocolate on her Bride’s Guide. We are always pleased when Choclatique is recognized for our fine work in both our recipes and in our chocolate products.
As we get closer to June and wedding season we have found that many brides and grooms are adding a beautiful chocolate table to their guest offerings. Why not be the first in your area to consider building a chocolate table?
Chocolate tables can be as simple as layers and layers of small traditional or personalized truffles, giant centerpieces or even a chocolate fountain that brings chocolate fondue to a higher, more participatory level. Chocolate tables are something that everyone always remembers. Don’t wait until the last minute… start thinking about a chocolate wedding today.
And if you didn’t already suspect it, more proposals for marriage are made on Valentine’s Day than any other time of the year. If you’re already thinking of something to give your honey for Valentine’s Day, you can’t go wrong with chocolate.
Here are a few new things to ponder from Choclatique; they won’t disappoint even the most jaded chocolate aficionado. Think about these for both your betrothed and your future wedding guests. You can use our “Build-A-Box” website tool to pick whatever chocolates you want from over 150 choices to fill an 8-, 15- or 30-piece box. Another fun option is a Choclatique SweeTweet, which allows you to spell out a phrase of your choosing. How about something like “I love you… marry me!”? Of course, there are always our beautiful Love assortments—the most beautiful and decadent chocolate hearts in the world.
It’s almost February and love is definitely in the air. Think chocolate!
Did you know that 2.3 million couples get married in the United States every year? That breaks down to nearly 6,200 weddings a day. The average age of a bride is 25 and the average age of a groom is about 27. An average of 178 guests are invited to each wedding where an average of $20,000 is spent per wedding—nearly $72 billion per year. Oh, and by the way, nearly one-third of those getting married are retreads, having been previously married.
A wedding is that wonderful ceremony in which two people are blissfully united in marriage or a civil union, pledging their lives together. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, religions, nationalities and social classes.
Wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of vows by the couple along with the exchange of a gift—often wedding rings—and a proclamation of marriage by an authority figure. We normally celebrate after the ceremony with a wedding reception which almost always includes a beautiful multi-layered wedding cake. And, more often than not, chocolate is as commonplace as music, great food and champagne.
Scrumptious, incredible, edible chocolate wedding favors are now as popular with guests as they are with brides! After all, who doesn’t love chocolate? These chocolate wedding favors accomplish so much. They add a touch of sculptural art to all of the guests’ tables. They are unique and sure to make every guest—young and old—smile when they arrive at their assigned seat. Finally, they are absolutely the most delicious way to say thank you to all who attend the wedding.
Recently, Choclatique was invited to compete in the 2010 International Bridal Salon for the coveted chocolate awards. We joined a group of esteemed fellow chocolatiers and confectioners in this historic juried competition for the Bridal market. The 20 or so judges for this competition were from national and regional Bridal publications and they were there to decide our fate.
Choclatique submitted 3 entries: our 
The judges’ decisions were rendered and Choclatique was recognized as the Top Artisan Chocolatier and the Most Gifted Chocolatier / Chocolate Maker. We were also recognized for the Most Artistic Designs, Best Traditional Chocolates and the Best for Wedding Receptions. It’s always great to be recognized as the best of the best, especially in chocolate.
