I was recently sent some samples of a new line of very unique chocolate bars to taste. These new bars are a collaboration of Ayala Moriel Parfumes and Cocoa Nymph both companies are Vancouver based. The packaging of each bar was beautiful and intriguing, I sampled all of them and pretty much devoured the GUILT bar within a day and then nibbled along on the ESPIONAGE bar, both of these bars were very different and quite good. Personally I did not care for the ROSES ET CHOCOLAT bar as I am not a fan of rose and saffron.

GUILT

Chocolate scented with orange blossoms, wild orange & blood orange. 64% Cacao ~ 50 g This amazing chocolate bar is like no other in the world! It was created in collaboration with CocoaNymph, a Vancouver-based chocolatiere, and is manufactured exclusively for Ayala Moriel Parfums using top quality dark 64% Belgian chocolate, with exotic floral and botanical essences.

ESPIONAGE

Chocolate scented with smoked salt, jasmine & juniper 64% Cacao ~ 50 g This amazing chocolate bar is like no other in the world! It was created in collaboration with CocoaNymph, a Vancouver-based chocolatiere, and is manufactured exclusively for Ayala Moriel Parfums using top quality dark 64% Belgian chocolate, with jasmine, smoked salt and juniper berries.

ROSES ET CHOCOLAT

Chocolate scented with rose, saffron & chilli 72% Cacao ~ 50 g This amazing chocolate bar is like no other in the world! It was created in collaboration with CocoaNymph, a Vancouver-based chocolatiere, and is manufactured exclusively for Ayala Moriel Parfums using top quality dark 72% Belgian chocolate, with exotic spices and floral essences.

The scented chocolates are available at the Cocoa Nymph shop in Vancouver as well as online on the respective website.

CocoaNymph Chocolates & Confections:

3739 West 10th Ave. @ Alma

(604) 222-4477

Ayala Moriel Parfums online

Review by: Richard Wolak

Prospect Winemaker Wade Stark

Happy 125th Anniversary Rogers Chocolates

Rogers’ 125th Anniversary VIP celebrations took place in Vancouver on November 4^th at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel where I was in chocolate heaven.  The evening saw MC’s Dawn Chubai and Riaz Meghji introduce musical performances from Vancouver based singer-songwriter Meghan Smith, master chocolate sculptor Fred Dobbs, chocolate painters Sarah Amos and Elizabeth Austin, amazing food and much more. Prospect Winemaker Wade Stark joined the official Vancouver festivities to officially launch the Rogers Icewine Truffles and Icewine Bars.

Rogers Chocolate Fountain

Master Chocolate sculptor Fred Dobbs

The Okanagan Valley’s Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery has partnered with Rogers’ Chocolates to craft a new BC Icewine chocolate creation. Part of the historic BC Chocolatier’s 125th Anniversary celebrations, the pairing revels in the age-old artistries of chocolate and winemaking while unveiling something entirely new. Rogers’ Master Chocolatier Cornell Idu has created decadent Icewine Truffles and Icewine Bars using Prospect Winery’s The Lost Bars Vidal Icewine.

Rogers Chocolates

Rogers Tea Chocolates

I tasted my way through the evening sampling all the different chocolates and truffles and most enjoyed the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel’s Honey Truffles as well as the Rogers Icewine Truffles.

By: Richard Wolak

Enter to WIN, 2 tickets to History of Chocolate Tastings and more (value $92) on October 28.

Cocao Nymph’s Rachel Sawatzky leads the guests thru an afternoon of chocolate, chocolate pairings and chocolate foods. Rachel is just back from Italy, as of October 16, a trip that was all about chocolate. This will be an amazing afternoon, with pairings of a beer, wine, tea, coffee and dessert wine – ending with chocolate desserts.

$46/person. Tickets on sale now.

October 28th. 1:30pm-4:00pm at Mackin Heritage House in Coquitlam.

http://historychoco.eventbrite.com/

Now for The Contest

To enter to win 2 Tickets to HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE TASTINGS AND MORE on October 28.. Leave a comment on this post listing answering this question.

In What Year did the Cocoa Nymph retail store open and what were they selling in the store?

The first person to have entered their detailed answer correctly receives the 2 Tickets and will be announced via Twitter.

Only enter the contest if you are available to attend this event on October 28.

Fine print: Contest will run until someone wins. You must enter your full name and register when entering the contest. You must also be following @TasteandSip on Twitter.

Each time I visit Seattle, I usually make a visit to at least one or two chocolatiers to sample what’s new in their chocolate world. There are some fine chocolate companies in the area that make Seattle there home and are well worth a visit if you are local or travelling through.

Theo Chocolate

Here are some of these Chocolate shops who offer chocolate tastings, workshops and events:

Claudio Corallo Chocolate 2122 Westlake Avenue, Seattle WA . Open 12noon – 5PM Monday through Saturday. Retail location downtown Seattle, If you are in the area, stop by, sample some chocolate. http://www.claudiocorallochocolate.com/

Theo Chocolate, 3400 Phinney Ave. N., offers the most workshops and tasting events in the area, including its new Chocolate Academy, which features lectures and hands-on courses. About $55-$70 per course. Theo also holds daily tours of its Fremont plant ($6, including tastings). 206-632-5100 or www.theochocolate.com

Oh! Chocolate offers classes on Fridays and weekends at its Madison Park shop, 3131 E. Madison St. ($59). There are also “Parlour Nights,” chocolate-and-wine pairing events ($69). 206-329-8777 or www.ohchocolate.com

Chocolopolis holds workshops on how to taste chocolate and also brings in many of the USA’s top chocolatiers for free tastings and talks at its Queen Anne store, 1527 Queen Anne Ave. N. 206-282-0776 or www.chocolopolis.com

Cocoa Chai Chocolates offers a variety of workshops out of their Queen Anne studio for all levels. Included is one of the area’s most comprehensive chocolate courses, “From Bean to Bar.” See www.cocoachai.com.

Sweet Decadence Chocolates offers classes at its Newcastle shop, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 100 in Newcastle. 425-572-6572 or www.sweet-decadence.com

Wicked Chocolate offers a five-week class ($95) at the Sand Point Education Center, 6208 60th Ave. N.E., Seattle. See www.wickedchocolateshop.com

Fran’s Chocolates is part of a Chocolate Tour offered in Seattle, they also offer samples of all their chocolates http://www.franschocolates.com at their 3 locations around the area, their original location is at 2626 NE University Village St, Seattle, WA (206) 528.9969

By: Richard Wolak