Chocolate Heaven at the 2018 International Chocolate Festival

By: Irene Yang

I recently attended the 2018 International Chocolate Festival at the San Mateo Convention Center this past April. I won’t lie—my favorite part about food festivals is the free samples! There were over 40 vendors all throwing out their wares for the visiting chocoholic. The Chocolatiers are all very happy to talk to you about their work. Where they source the beans, how they make the bars, what kind of flavor profiles to expect; you can feel their passion as they walk you through the different kinds of chocolate available.

Small Batch Chocolate

Death by Caramel Chocolate Loackers: #PureIngredients Recipe Contest

By: Finance Foodie

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Loacker, an Italian dessert company that makes a wide range of delicious wafer-based treats, asking if I wanted to participate in their #PureIngredients Recipe Contest. As one of 25 selected bloggers, the contest had me creating a recipe incorporating Loacker wafers. So I hunkered down this weekend in my lab (kitchen), and plugged away....

Lady GODIVA Honoree Brunch: A Marvelous Mix Of Philanthropy, Style And…Chocolate!

By: Anne M. Raso

The financefoodie.com team was lucky enough to be invited to the Lady GODIVA Honorees Brunch held back on March 4th at the Rent The Runway department at Henri Bendel’s on Fifth Avenue. Not only was it great to learn all about and meet this year’s three honorees—great ladies who started their own charities, one of whom had struggles with addiction and homelessness—but the 40 to 50 press guests were able to enjoy a world-class chocolate brunch based around chocolate themes created by GODIVA and their PR team. It was a pleasure to behold the creative cuisine that came out of the kitchen including Godiva chocolate pop-tarts served straight out of a vintage toaster and mini Godiva chocolate milkshakes served in vintage milkshake glasses. Trays and boxes of every variety of GODIVA were scattered about—including on the seats inside the dressing rooms!

Chocolates Galore!

A St. Patrick’s Day Treat with See’s Candies

By: Finance Foodie and Anne Raso

What is St. Patrick’s Day without some gold (chocolate) coins? Our crowd-pleasing bet is always on See's Candies--and not because they have 93 years of experience, great packaging and delicious product that stays fresh for weeks, but they are a company with principals (For instance, they do not charge higher prices at their airport stores).

Lucky Nut and Chews Assortment

A Sweet Valentine's Day to Remember with Sugartooth Tours NYC

By: Finance Foodie

What could be sweeter than spending the day with your Valentine and tasting a variety of New York City’'s finest decadent treats? This past V Day, the Mister and I did just that by partaking on Sugartooth Tours’ Valentine’'s Day tour. This annual 2.5 hour tour featured six tastings that started in the Chelsea neighborhood and covered 1.5 miles of walking, with yummy pit stops along the way. During this "couples crawl", we walked down the High Line, and ended in the West Village. In addition to scrumptious sweets, we also also learned a few tidbits and facts about Valentine’'s Day and its history. Here's a look at where we went!

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Customizable Chocoloate: Chocri Chocolate Bars

By: Finance Foodie

So the past few weeks, I'm proud to say that I've been pretty consistent about my "post-Holidays, pre-NY Fashion Week" diet plan. My meals have consisted mostly of low calories soups (thanks Progresso!) and nutrient-rich salads, I've been hitting the gym aggressively almost everyday, and I've been abstaining from alcohol (which has required more willpower than imagined). I feel healthier and stronger (and somewhat richer with all the $$ saved from dining/drinking out)!

Days of Wine and Chocolates from 2 Chicks with Chocolate

By: Anne M. Raso

We recently caught up with the ladies of 2 Chicks With Chocolate at a charity benefit held at the Chill Spa in Gramercy Park and we couldn’t help but go back for thirds, fourths and fifths on their Cabernet Caramels. We admit that we also noshed on their plain white chocolate discs (the creamiest around), but these caramels peaked our curiosity and taste buds. We seem to be seeing everything from wine ice cream to even “wine blossom” candles (I got one as a birthday gift last month), so it makes sense that chocolates were the next item to be hit with a touch o’ the grape!

Heavenly Divine at Hotel Chocolat Boston

By: Finance Foodie 

Nothing puts me in a better mood that the approach of the Christmas season! The sight of the bright lights that illuminate the forest-like trees on Commonwealth Ave and the festively decorated shops ablaze with jolly shoppers can turn my frown upside down any day of the week – even when I have a case of the Mondays!

Now, one of the main reasons I love the holidays is that it’s my excuse to indulge in whatever fattening food delicacies I desire (because there’s always New Year’s Resolutions around the corner). After a rather gluttonous Thanksgiving trip to Texas (aka the land of larger portions and low prices), I resolved to at least cut back somewhat in my return to Boston (as my “fat pants” probably would not be appropriate attire for the numerous Christmas parties I plan to attend). However, this resolve was all made before I passed by the Hotel Chocolat store (ironically) on my way back from the gym…

Sweet Tooth Friendly at The Chocolate Show New York

By: Finance Foodie

Halloween in New York – home to the crazy and creative costumes, the over the top parties, and the infamous West Village parade – just got a little sweeter (literally) for me. That’s because this year I was finally able to attend the Annual New York Chocolate Show (I missed it every year when I lived in the City due to my crazy work hours). Held in the Metropolitan Pavilion, this three day affair showcased all things chocolate – as a raging chocoholic – I think I might have just died and gone to heaven!