Fire It Up!

Hello my dear readers,

We made it to another sensational issue of Chocolate Zoom and we have very exciting news for you. First, I’d like to tell you about this special party issue. Then I’d like to announce the start of our New York Walking Chocolate Tour that will take you on a short trip to Heaven. And last but not least, we are offering one of our readers a FREE 3-month professional chocolate program with Ecole Chocolat, an online school that has nurtured many of today’s talented chocolatiers.

Since heat has been driving us crazy here at the CZ headquarters, I thought you may need to cool down as well. And what’s cooler (or hotter) than a party? I know that you like to go out, meet people, have a few drinks on rocks –compulsory this time of the year- impress strangers with your knowledge of yachting, Egyptology, comparative religions or whatever that is you do for a living or a hobby, and most of all, you like to savor the miniature appetizers and the delicious desserts present on such occasions. When I was a wee lass and worked in catering during school, I witnessed my share of fancy banquet desserts and let me tell you, they are like no other. Party desserts are the best because they look extremely good, they taste good and you didn’t have to buy them or cook them. We have suggestions for a few party tricks that will blow away even your most fastidious guests.

Another thing I’d like to share with you is the kick start of our pet project – the chocolate tour around the Big Apple. We have gathered some of the most prominent and amazing shops from New York whose chocolates you can sample, see and enjoy. Some of these shops are international brands, some are New York City favorites and they all make for a great itinerary. These shop owners are very spirited people whose chocolates are worlds of their own, so rich, layered and overwhelmingly good and we’d like to thank those people for helping us set the tour on track. Among the shops we included one can find Mariebelle, Vosges Haute Chocolate, Pierre Marcolini, La Maison du Chocolat, Richart, Martine’s Chocolates, and many others. Every single one of them is fabulous fabulous fabulous.

Moreover, it is my great pleasure to challenge you in taking part in our raffle that will have as a prize a professional chocolate-making program from Ecole Chocolat that is worth $595. Don’t miss this chance! If your dream is to create and better understand the inner workings of chocolate, this is a great first step. If this is not your dream, but you’d still like to learn more about this fascinating subject, I invite you to take advantage of this one and only opportunity. Start by sending us your lucky dessert recipe, to enter the contest.

In other articles we profile for you new, promising chocolatiers, we invite you to find out how to organize a wine tasting party in the privacy of your own home, and we recommend some great books about our favorite topic. What was that? Partying? Oh, no chocolate of course. You’d be amazed at how many books have been written about it. Last but not least, our health section brings forth some rather interesting proposals for your regular diet. Stay tuned!

~CB