VIRTUAL CHOCOLATE SALON: In Conversation with Black Chocolatiers

TasteTV & the International Chocolate Salon in conversation with Black Chocolatiers about their creative inspirations & business challenges, including tips for great chocolate, flavor profiles, educations, and tips for success. Discover and support these great artisans!

The Panel Discussion features: Chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix of Phillip Ashley Chocolates, and moderator, author Joey Garcia (More TBA)

This educational panel is free to attend, but you must register. 

If you want to taste and order chocolate after the virtual event, there will be discount codes provided

• Thursday, June 11, 11am-11:45 am panel discussion, Q & A to follow
•  Limited to 50 people
• Panel will be conducted through Zoom

This is an online panel. The Zoom link will be sent by email 1 hour before the virtual panel ( A Zoom link for this panel discussion will be emailed to all who RSVP on the morning of the event, June 11th)

Registrants will receive a confirmation email notifying them of Zoom information in a separate email.  

ABOUT THE PANEL

JOEY GARCIA (Moderator): Joey Garcia was born in Belize and learned the medicinal and spiritual value of chocolate from her grandmother. Joey is the Relationship Expert for KTXL-TV and the author of "When Your Heart Breaks, It's Opening to Love." She's convinced that a little chocolate every day keeps joy coming her way. www.joeygarcia.com

PHILLIP ASHELY RIX (Chocolatier): Phillip Ashley Rix is one of the world's preeminent chefs and designers of luxury chocolate. He is an award-winning chocolatier, founding Memphis, TN based, Phillip Ashley Chocolates in 2012 . The brand has an international following and is sought out by high-profile clients, top corporations and major events to offer premium gifts. A true Ambassador of Taste, he’s curated dining experiences at the James Beard House in New York City, as well as creating tens of thousands of chocolates for Hollywood’s elite at the EMMYS®, GRAMMYS® and OSCARS®. In 2014, FORBES Magazine named Phillip Ashley the “Real Life Willy Wonka”. In February 2020, he competed on Food Network’s Chopped Sweets. www.phillipashley.com

6TH ANNUAL TRUFFLE ARTISTRY AWARDS: International Chocolate Salon

6th Annual Truffle Artistry Awards:

Was so sorry to miss judging the Annual Truffle Artistry Awards this year. So glad I am able to announce the results. 

***

The International Chocolate Salon Awards for the 6th Annual CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE ARTISTRY AWARDS are based on the combined total number of votes received by each entrant from the Judging Panel. The Judging Panel consists of National and Regional Magazines, Newspaper and Blog Editors, plus Topic Experts, Local Chefs and Food Gurus.

The award winners below have the honor of being able to display and use the Official Award Winner title and award logos.

STAR RATINGS

4.5 STARS

• Bella Sophia Chocolates Yuzu Chiffon
• St. Croix Chocolate Co. Fall flavors collection
• St. Croix Chocolate Co. Koi Inyodo (Japanese yin and yang duo)

4.0 STARS

• BON CHOCOLATIER Creative truffle
• Baetz Chocolates Simply Sakskatoon
• Beth's Chocolate Limesicle
• Michael's Chocolates Bourbon Caramel Pecan
• flying noir the teaer box
• SELEUSS Chocolates Coffee & Chicory

3.5 STARS

• Beth's Chocolate Crème de Cassis
• SELEUSS Chocolates Porter 75% Dark Chocolate Truffle
• Baetz Chocolates Sublime Espresso Lime
• Craft-Chocolate Craft-Chocolate with Wright & Brown's Rye Whiskey
• SELEUSS Chocolates Peaches and Cream
• Beth's Chocolate Spiced Honey Orange

3.0 STARS

• Chocolatier Gjeruldsen Truffle artistry / « Passion Fruit»
• Delysia Chocolatier Fig baklava chocolate truffle
• Delysia Chocolatier History of Chocolate truffle collection
• ian scott confections Smokebomb (Islay whisky, Lapsang souchon tea and milk chocolate)
• Banyan Tree Chocolate Rosie
• Banyan Tree Chocolate Be Still My Heart
• Panache Chocolatier Caramel Apple Brandy
• Panache Chocolatier Ruby Sugar Plum
• Shokolate Haven Holiday Plum in Dark Chocolate

International Chocolate Salon 2019 Caramel Awards

I was a judge recently at the International Chocolate Salon Caramel Awards. Such a tough job, but someone has to do it. The caramels that were submitted were incredibly diverse and delicious. Some were traditional, some were chocolate enrobed, others a combination of different flavors within the caramel. The caramels were judged on taste, artistry, unique combinations, and and so much more. We had a diverse tasting panel as well. When it comes down to it, taste is up to the individual, but the chocolatiers really created some fabulous caramels.

2019 CARAMEL AWARDS Competition. The International Chocolate Salon Awards for the 2019 CARAMEL AWARDS are based on the combined total number of votes received by each entrant from the Judging Panel. The Judging Panel consists of National and Regional Magazines, Newspaper and Blog Editors, plus Topic Experts, Local Chefs and Food Gurus. Here are the results.

 

Best Caramel Exterior Design

GOLD

• St. Croix Chocolate Company Emperor's Garden (yuzu caramel and jasmine tea)

SILVER

• Banyan Tree Chocolate Hibiscus Liquid Caramel
• Tandem Chocolates Caramels

BRONZE

• Delysia Chocolatier Banoffee pie chocolate truffle
• The Chocolate Fetish African Queen
• The Secret Chocolatier Bananas Foster

HONORABLE MENTION

• Delysia Chocolatier Salty dog chocolate truffle
• Theo Chocolate Honey Saffron Caramel
• Zocalisa Fine Chocolates Pecan Caramel

Best Ingredient Combinations

GOLD

• Zocalisa Fine Chocolates Pecan Caramel

SILVER

• Tandem Chocolates Caramels
• Delysia Chocolatier Banoffee pie chocolate truffle
• The Chocolate Fetish African Queen
• The Chocolate Fetish Dark Pistachio Frog

BRONZE

• Hot Tempered Chocolates Browned Butter Salted Caramel
• Sweet Jules Gifts Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramels
• Dallas Caramel Company Mocha Caramel
• The Oakland Chocolate Company Jamaican Jerk Caramels
• Theo Chocolate Ghost Chili Caramels

HONORABLE MENTION

• St. Croix Chocolate Company Emperor's Garden (yuzu caramel and jasmine tea)
• The Secret Chocolatier Bananas Foster
• Theo Chocolate Honey Saffron Caramel
• Dallas Caramel Company Jalapeno Bacon Armadillo TxTurtle
• echo chocolate Signature Sea-Salt Caramel
• Wildflower Caramel Co. Smoked Jalapeno Caramel

Best Taste

GOLD

• Zocalisa Fine Chocolates Pecan Caramel
• The Chocolate Fetish Dark Pistachio Frog

SILVER

• Delysia Chocolatier Banoffee pie chocolate truffle
• Sweet Jules Gifts Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramels
• Dallas Caramel Company Mocha Caramel
• Theo Chocolate Ghost Chili Caramels
• St. Croix Chocolate Company Emperor's Garden (yuzu caramel and jasmine tea)

BRONZE

• Tandem Chocolates Caramels
• The Chocolate Fetish African Queen

HONORABLE MENTION

• The Oakland Chocolate Company Jamaican Jerk Caramels
• Theo Chocolate Honey Saffron Caramel
• echo chocolate Signature Sea-Salt Caramel
• Wildflower Caramel Co. Smoked Jalapeno Caramel
• Mouth Party Caramel Maple Caramels
• The Oakland Chocolate Company Strawberry Cardamom Caramels

Best Packaging (External)

GOLD

• Sweet Jules Gifts Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramels

SILVER

• echo chocolate Signature Sea-Salt Caramel

BRONZE

• Banyan Tree Chocolate Hibiscus Liquid Caramel
• Sweet Jules Gifts Scotch Ale and Pretzel Caramels

HONORABLE MENTION

• St. Croix Chocolate Company Emperor's Garden (yuzu caramel and jasmine tea)

Most Unique

GOLD

• Banyan Tree Chocolate Hibiscus Liquid Caramel

SILVER

• Delysia Chocolatier Banoffee pie chocolate truffle

BRONZE

• Wildflower Caramel Co. Smoked Jalapeno Caramel
• Dallas Caramel Company Jalapeno Bacon Armadillo TxTurtle

HONORABLE MENTION

• Sweet Jules Gifts Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramels
• St. Croix Chocolate Company Emperor's Garden (yuzu caramel and jasmine tea)
• Tandem Chocolates Caramels
• The Oakland Chocolate Company Jamaican Jerk Caramels
• Hot Tempered Chocolates Browned Butter Salted Caramel
• Theo Chocolate Ghost Chili Caramels
• Mouth Party Caramel Maple Caramels

Top Caramels

GOLD

• Sweet Jules Gifts Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramels
• St. Croix Chocolate Company Emperor's Garden (yuzu caramel and jasmine tea)
• Tandem Chocolates Caramels
• Theo Chocolate Ghost Chili Caramels
• Dallas Caramel Company Mocha Caramel

SILVER

• The Chocolate Fetish Dark Pistachio Frog
• The Chocolate Fetish African Queen

BRONZE

• Delysia Chocolatier Banoffee pie chocolate truffle
• Wildflower Caramel Co. Smoked Jalapeno Caramel
• The Oakland Chocolate Company Jamaican Jerk Caramels
• Mouth Party Caramel Maple Caramels
• Zocalisa Fine Chocolates Pecan Caramel
• Vande Walle's Candies Milk Sea Salt Caramel
• echo chocolate Signature Sea-Salt Caramel
• Coco Gusto Caramel Bar
• Vande Walle's Candies Wrapped Vanilla Caramel
• Delysia Chocolatier Butterscotch mocha chocolate truffle

STAR RATINGS

4.5 STARS

• Sweet Jules Gifts Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramel

4 STARS

• The Chocolate Fetish Dark Pistachio Frog
• Tandem Chocolates Caramels
• The Chocolate Fetish African Queen
• Dallas Caramel Company Mocha Caramel
• echo chocolate Signature Sea-Salt Caramel
• Theo Chocolate Ghost Chili Caramels
• Vande Walle's Candies Milk Sea Salt Caramel

3.5 STARS

• Hot Tempered Chocolates Browned Butter Salted Caramel
• St. Croix Chocolate Company Classic Sea Salt Caramel
• St. Croix Chocolate Company Emperor's Garden (yuzu caramel and jasmine tea)
• Zocalisa Fine Chocolates Pecan Caramel
• Banyan Tree Chocolate Hibiscus Liquid Caramel
• Wildflower Caramel Co. Smoked Jalapeno Caramel

3 STARS

• The Oakland Chocolate Company Strawberry Cardamom Caramels
• Vande Walle's Candies Wrapped Vanilla Caramel
• Delysia Chocolatier Banoffee pie chocolate truffle
• Mouth Party Caramel Maple Caramels
• Theo Chocolate Honey Saffron Caramel
• Delysia Chocolatier Butterscotch mocha chocolate truffle
• The Oakland Chocolate Company Jamaican Jerk Caramels
• The Secret Chocolatier Bananas Foster
• Dallas Caramel Company Jalapeno Bacon Armadillo TxTurtle
• Delysia Chocolatier Salty dog chocolate truffle
• Sweet Jules Gifts Scotch Ale and Pretzel Caramels
• Coco Gusto Caramel Bar

---

JUDGES' FAVORITES

• Dallas Caramel Company's Mocha Caramel
• Tandem
• The Delysia Banoffee Pie Chocolate Truffle won my heart. The rich banana flavor was mouth watering and delicious. It brought back memories of some pies I had when I was a child.
• St. Croix Emperor's Garden
• Theo Ghost Chile
• Sweet Jules Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramel
• AFRICAN QUEEN

---

JUDGES' COMMENTS

• The Oakland Chocolate Company's Jamaican Jerk Caramel not only had a great caramel texture, but its combination of jerk spices (allspice, thyme and hot pepper) was surprising. It had a savoriness that lingered. I thought it was unique and quite enjoyable. Sweet Jules Dark Chocolate Pecan Caramel was wonderful. It was not overly sweet, and the pecan really came through -- freshly nutty, and even meaty. Loved it. Delysia Chocolatier's Banoffee Pie Chocolate Truffle had a wonderfully creamy banana filling. Delicious!
• Vande Walle's Vanilla Caramel was smooth, classic, traditional. Yum! Wildflower Smoked Jalapeno..rich caramel with a Kick; Dallas Mocha Caramel: good coffee combo; Delysia Banoffee Pie..multi-layered
• I was worried about the heat level of the Theo Ghost Pepper, but it was quite delicious. the level of heat was just right for me. The Vande Walle Wrapped Vanilla caramel was both attractively striped and a delightful pleasure for the palate. The Zocaliza Pecan Caramel was rich in flavor with a good crunch

North America's Best Chocolate Truffles!

Never too early to purchase your holiday truffles! Are you making a list and checking it twice? Well, here's a great reference for the Best of North American Truffles. I was so lucky to be a judge at this International Chocolate Salon Truffle tasting. I can't remember when I tasted so many wonderful truffles. Hard decisions had to be made, and I was glad I was only one of the panel. I have my favorites, but thought I'd share this list, so you can start stocking up on stocking stuffers and gifts.

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon have selected some of the Top Chocolate Truffles - and the artistry behind them - in North America. These truffles come from the East Coast, the West Coast, the Middle Plains, and Canada. Their colors range from chocolate brown to butterfly incandescent, and some of the packaging is as elaborate as a Tiffany's jewelry box.

If you are looking for some of the best on the continent, take a look at these and the results from our tasting panel's luscious experience.

To see more about the Truffles and the Truffle Awards, as well as rankings in categories such as Taste, Design, and Ingredient Combinations, go to www.TruffleAwards.com or www.artisanchocolateawards.com

4.5 STARS 
flying noir out of country
JARDI chocolates Herbs de Provence
Colleen Heidecker Pure Culinary Orange Theory
Éclat Chocolate Peruvian

4.0 STARS 
CocoVaa Chocolatier Cardamom Pear
JARDI chocolates Passion Fruit Marshmallow
Cochu Chocolatier Margarita
Éclat Chocolate Ginger Caramels
Inspiration Chocolates Aztec Spice
CocoVaa Chocolatier Hazelnut Macchiato
Truffles by Tiffany Rosemary caramel layered on Lavender Honey Ganache
Delysia Chocolatier Truffle Sampler
Cochu Chocolatier Balvenie Scotch Whisky & Prune
Colleen Heidecker Pure Culinary DC Strawberry #12

3.5 STARS 
Inspiration Chocolates Maple Walnut Supreme
Bella Sophia Chocolates Coffee Caramel
Cochu Chocolatier Cherry Gin
SELEUSS Chocolates French Brandy
CocoVaa Chocolatier Sayari Cocoa (planet cocoa)
Romeo Chocolates Raspberry & Rose Water Truffle
JARDI chocolates Coffee Toffee
SELEUSS Chocolates Bourbon Whiskey Maple
Éclat Chocolate Salted Dark Caramel
TinyB chocolate Raspberry Dark Chocolate

3.0 STARS 
Romeo Chocolates Espresso Crunch Truffle
Inspiration Chocolates Cherry Jubilee
TinyB Chocolate Mint Dark Chocolate
SELEUSS Chocolates Matcha Green Tea
Chip in a Bottle LLC Black Cherry Dark Chocolate
Chip in a Bottle LLC Thai Coconut Caramel with Nougat
GerDan Chocolates Tamarind Rainforest
Rainy Day Chocolate Rainy Day Chocolate

MONTEREY CHOCOLATE SALON 4/12

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon are pleased to announce the coming to Monterey Bay of the Premium and Artisan Chocolate event on the California Coast, the 1st Annual
MONTEREY CHOCOLATE SALON
April 12, 2014

PARTICIPANTS:
Featuring a delicious selection chosen and curated by the Organizers, participants include 20 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans, such as Amano Artisan Chocolate, Lula's Chocolates, Pieces of Heaven Fine Chocolate, Monterey Chocolate Co., The Tea Room Chocolate Company, Marich Confectionery, Fera'wyn's Artisan Chocolates, CocoTutti, Plumeria Flours - cookies & confections, Amella Caramels, West Coast Toffee, Goose's Goodies, Kindred Cooks, Twisted Roots Wine, H-G Vineyards, Spicy Vines, En Voyage Perfumes, and more.

Advance Tickets and more information available at www.MontereyChocolateSalon.com