Chocolate Bytes: Nestlé's answer to Willy Wonka

Nestlé has released candy bars with GPS-lined wrappers that send a signal to a helicopter with $16,000. (10,000 pounds) Unfortunately you have to live in the UK or Ireland.

Nestlé, the maker of KitKat chocolate bars has hidden global positioning system chips in six candy bar wrappers, released in the United Kingdom and Ireland, that could make someone a little richer.

According to Nestlé, the "We Will Find You" competition will "scramble a crack team of highly trained individuals" to find whoever opens one of the six GPS-embedded candy bars -- one each within KitKat 4 Finger, KitKat Chunky, Aero Peppermint Medium and Yorkie Milk.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the GPS chips are activated once the wrappers are opened, and they then send a signal to Nestlé. The company said the winner will be located within 24 hours by a helicopter for hand delivery of a briefcase containing £10,000, worth about $16,000, in cash.

It wasn't clear when or if the promotion would make its way to the U.S., or if the winning chocolate bars were edible.

Check out this cool video ad..

Berkeley Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival

Saturday, June 2, 2012, 10am-5pm
(Rain Date June 9) 
Gourmet Ghetto North Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA

BERKELEY CHOCOLATE & CHALK ART FESTIVAL

Chalk Art Contest! 
Eat Chocolate! 
Free Admission

The sidewalks along North Shattuck Ave. in the Gourmet Ghetto in Berkeley are the target of artists young and old, professional and greenhorn during the 16th annual CHOCOLATE & CHALK ART FESTIVAL on Saturday, June 2 (rain date June 9).

No fees to artists. Areas of sidewalk will be assigned to participants to create your own fanciful chalk drawings. CHALK ART CONTEST for the best drawing will be judged after 4 p.m. First prize: $250 cash and runners-up get a gift certificate from Philz Coffee. Winners will be notified by Monday after. Same-day registration takes place 10AM-5PM in event booths located at 1495 and 1673 Shattuck Ave. where special artist's chalk is available for $10.

To EAT CHOCOLATE, purchase a packet of tickets (20 for $20) at event booths located at 1400, 1495 and 1673 Shattuck Ave. The to-go menu features picante habañero chocolate chunks gelato, Nutella crepes, adult brownies, or savory chocolate ricotta pizza, Caribbean chocolate soup, chicken molé and lots more. 

Spend your tickets on these delights available in the local businesses then savor your chocolate as you stroll along the sidewalks, viewing the chalk artwork. Or enter your tickets in a raffle for a real chocolate-colored diamond ring at M. Lowe & Co, or for a real pocket camera that looks just like chocolate at ArtVisions Portraiture.

Vote for your favorite chocolate menu item by ‘liking’ it on the Chocolate and Chalk Art page on Facebook no later than Monday, June 4 at 5PM. Businesses with the most ‘liked’ menu items get bragging rights for a year.

Vendors with chocolate, chocolate-related items, and hand made arts and crafts fill the blocks between Rose and Vine Streets. A special children’s area at 1673 Shattuck Avenue has pony rides, inflatable bounce houses, jugglers, face painters and many more surprises. 

Family-friendly free event produced by Another Bullwinkel Show 510-548-5335 and sponsored by the North Shattuck Association, City of Berkeley, Fiat, Art Kapour Realty, Comcast, KFOG, Berkeleyside.com, East Bay Express, East Bay Loop and YELP.

Photo: Cupcakes by Love at First Bite

Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Contest Giveaway

12/2/10 And the Winner of the Peppermint Bark Gift Pack is Mason Canyon! (random generated) Mason, be sure and send me your snail mail address, so I can have Ghirardelli mail you the Peppermint Bark Gift Pack. Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who commented. Check out the Peppermint/Chocolate recipes I'll be posting this month. Have a great Holiday!

 It's no secret that I love Peppermint Bark, but what I haven't mentioned is that at this time of year I stash Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares in my desk. Peppermint Bark is a seasonal flavor at Ghirardelli, so get these while you can. You can buy these wonderful squares in bags, bars or gift tins at several outlets or you can order online.

Win a Gift Pack filled with Ghirardelli Squares Limited Edition Peppermint Bark Comment on this post below why you like Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark--or why you want to try it-- for a chance to win. Winner will be chosen at random.  Be sure and stop back to this post on December 2 to see if you won. At that time I'll post the winning name, and I'll need your mailing address. Gift Pack will be sent directly from Ghirardelli!

And, here's an idea for a holiday treat using Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. Toss a 1/2 square into a cup of Hot Coffee for a fabulous brew! You'll create a peppermint mocha!

Don't want the coffee, but love the chocolate? Try Ghirardelli Chocolate Peppermint Hot Cocoa!

Today on CyberMonday, 11/29/10,  Ghirardelli has 15% off on Any Purchase. Code: Holidaygift

Tomorrow: Peppermint Bark Brownies

Milk Chocolate Truffles: Ghirardelli LUXE Milk Chocolate Contest

Blogger ate the Ghirardelli LUXE Milk Chocolate contest comments, so I'm extending the contest until October 5. I found the comments, but still thought it best to extend the deadline. All you need to do is make a comment on today's blog or HERE to be entered.

Tell me why you are a Milk Chocolate Fan! Win a coupon for any One Ghirardelli Luxe Milk Bar or Bag. Just comment below on why you are a Milk Chocolate Fan. Winners will be chosen randomly. Contest closes at 5 p.m. October 5.   

Ghirardelli makes baking chocolate, but if you only have a bar or two, here's something easy to make at home.

MILK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Ingredients
1 pound Ghirardelli LUXE MILK chocolate, broken into pieces
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon sweet butter
1/2 cup Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa powder

Method
1. Melt milk chocolate, heavy cream and butter in the top of a double boiler or in a saucepan over another saucepan with simmering water on the bottom. As soon as the mixture is smooth, remove from heat and transfer into bowl or baking dish. Cover chocolate mixture with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
2. Spread cocoa powder on shallow plate.
3. Using melon baller, scoop chocolate and roll into balls between your hands. Then roll the ball of chocolate in the cocoa until well coated. Place truffles on sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat until you finish making all the truffles. Allow truffles to set for about an hour.
4. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Truffles are best served at room temperature.