“I find it so gratifying working with the chocolatiers, and have a lot of respect for their craft," said Founder Grace Lissauer, “My goal at the chocolate nation is to provide them with greater exposure and fulfill the chocolate wishes of our clientele.
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 18, 2009
Just in time for the holidays, the chocolate nation™, a premier online boutique featuring artisanal chocolates crafted in the United States, has officially launched. Based in New York City and located at http://www.thechocolatenation.com, the specialty shop offers an array of bars and barks, truffles and bonbons, as well as the unique services of a Chocolate Concierge: personal assistance by Founder Grace Lissauer in pairing the gift giving needs of her clientele with the creations of the chocolate nation chocolatiers.
Featuring 14 chocolatiers from eight different states – and counting – the chocolate nation has selected some of the best chocolatiers from around the country. Diverse in styles, their backgrounds range from classically trained to self-taught. Many are not only nationally acclaimed, but world-renowned for setting industry standards in quality, innovation and creativity.
Chocolate Concierge services of the chocolate nation
o Consult and pair wishes of clientele with the chocolate nation products.
o Design custom creations for personal and corporate gift giving.
o Services are available for a wide variety of occasions including private events, tastings, movie premieres, fashion and award shows – even everyday chocolate indulgence.
A seasoned fashion industry executive, Lissauer has successfully launched two national retail brands and has proven her expertise in design/merchandising, product development and marketing for such companies as Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor and Talbots. Now Lissauer's focus is her life's passion: chocolate. A first-generation German-American, she was raised with a reverence for fine chocolates. After years of establishing and developing business for others, Lissauer began research and development for the chocolate nation, educating herself about chocolate, investigating chocolatiers, and enduring countless, admittedly delicious, taste tests.
From this process the chocolate nation was born, mirroring Lissauer's deep admiration for artisanal chocolatiers and her desire to share their creations with the world.
Chocolatiers of the chocolate nation
1. Chocolaterie Wanders, Washington, DC metro area (Manassas, VA) - Founded by eighth- generation Master Chocolatier Wilhelm Wanders, and his chef wife, Melanie. Specialty: European-style confections, including marzipan and nut nougats produced in-house.
2. Chokola'j Artisans, Moriches, Long Island, NY – Founders Daniel and Susan Kennedy are on the bucolic East End of Long Island. Specialty: Utilizing local ingredients and single origin, Fair Trade cacao in confections ranging from brownies to bark to truffles.
3. Coco-luxe, SF, CA – Stephanie Marcon's childhood love for her EASY-BAKE Oven undoubtedly led to her eventual departure of corporate America for culinary school. Specialty: Confections made from all-natural, local ingredients that marry gourmet chocolate with fun, familiar flavors.
4. Francois Payard, NY, NY – A third-generation pastry chef from Nice, France, Payard has received worldwide honors for his work. Specialty: Combining classic technique with forward-thinking innovation in his signature truffles and chocolates.
5. Fritz Knipschildt, South Norwalk, CT – A Denmark native who worked in France and Spain prior to arriving in New York in 1996, Knipschildt has long experimented with infusing chocolate with herbs, spices and flowers. Specialty: Fearlessly creative confections.
6. John Kelly Chocolates, Hollywood, CA – Founded by fashion retail veteran John Kelson and advertising executive Kelly Green, their confections use natural ingredients and are all handmade. Specialty: Chocolate truffle fudge enrobed in semi-sweet chocolate.
7. Krishon Chocolate, Washington, DC – Chocolatier Eric Johnson is an avid fossil hunter with a personal collection of museum-quality extinct aquatic fossils. Specialty: Chocolate barks ranging from goji berry to chipotle; "chossils" (chocolate fossils inspired by his fossil collection).
8. Lillie Belle Farms, Central Point, OR –Jeff Shepherd began his candy career selling his truffles at farmers' markets. His small, organic berry farm supplies the fruit he infuses into his ganaches and truffles. Specialty: More than 60 flavors of chocolates, truffles, caramels, bars and toffee.
9. MarieBelle Chocolates, NY, NY – Creator and founder Maribel Lieberman has an eye for classic French chocolates and the world of art; her creations resemble semi-precious jewels. Specialty: Handmade from single origin cacao, her confections have unexpected exotic flavors and textures.
10. NOKA, Dallas, TX –A trip to the Swiss Alps led husband/wife team Noah Houghton and Katrina Merrem to abandon finance for chocolate. They use only single origin chocolate from South America, the Ivory Coast and Trinidad. Specialty: Pure, single origin dark chocolates and truffles.
11. Oliver Kita Fine Chocolates, Rhinebeck, NY – A pastry chef/caterer-turned chocolatier, Kita uses French organic and Swiss sources complemented by traditional French methods. Specialty: Solid Dark Organic Vegan Chocolate Buddha, inspired by a Cat Steven's 70's record album.
12. Pete's Gourmet Confections, Central Point, OR – Founded by Peter and Jennifer Croyle, the kosher candy company was inspired by a story he conceived for their young son about "Marshall Mallow". Specialty: Handmade, small batch eco-kosher marshmallows and artisan chocolates.
13. Posh Chocolat, Missoula, MT – Helmed by chocolatiers Ana and Jason Willenbrook, a husband and wife team with worldwide experience as chefs. Specialty: Single origin chocolate combined with exotic combinations of spices, herbs and fragrant notes.
14. Valerie Confections, Los Angeles, CA - Founder Valerie Gordon began baking at age 9 and her love of sweet creations continued into adulthood. She launched her company with partner Stan Weightman Jr., initially concentrating on six flavors of toffees. Specialty: Toffees and truffles.
Copyright 2009 Pairings, LLC. All rights reserved.
the chocolate nation ™ is a trademark of Pairings, LLC.
###
We're here to help.
Call 1-866-640-6397
©Copyright 1997-, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
ShareThis
