FabSugar

The Incredible Edible Chocolate Box

YumSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:41:58 PST

Today is National Chocolates Day, and since it's not chocolate but chocolates, I can only assume that it's referring to individual confections. While it seems a bit clichéd, sometimes the best thing is a box of mixed chocolate treats. You get the gooey caramel centers, the flavor infused truffles, and everything in between. I like the places where you can pick out exactly what you want in the box, as well as how many. If you're lucky enough, you can even find a chocolate factory that sells their chocolate individually. One of those places is Charles Chocolates.

I recently had the opportunity to view their facilities and sample their new products. If you're not familiar with Charles - they purposely have a small retail presence due to handling reasons - you should really remedy that. Their Caramel Almond Sticks ($11) are fabulous and their peanut butter butterflies ($27) are simply delicious, however it's their edible chocolate boxes ($45-$60) that blow me away. The entire box, lid and all, is edible. You can eat the chocolates inside and then chomp down on the box. They have a holiday collection filled with their most popular pieces, but I personally love the tea collection. The truffles are infused with five different teas and the edible lid features a painting of Chinese tea mountains. Whichever you fancy, they'll make great gifts for the chocoholic on your list, but if I were you, I'd go ahead and treat yourself.

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Be Mine: Sexual Chocolate

FabSugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:45:33 PST

Here is the first installment in my Be Mine series which will highlight my Valentine's Day favorites. Jumping into the good stuff: sexual chocolate. I am more of a dark chocolate lover; I have come to appreciate the rich, bitter taste of the dark stuff. Interestingly, it appears that Jessica Biel likes all sorts of chocolate. Here are my picks that are either simply yummy or simply pretty. None of these are your run-of-the-mill chocolate options - they are FAB! Enjoy!

Charles Chocolates Small Heart Assortment, $30. Choose from,
The Heart Assortment: Raspberry, Passion Fruit, and Mojito ganache-filled heart-shaped chocolates or the Classic Assortment: a special selection of the most exquisite Charles Chocolates confections.

4 Exotic Candy Bars in a Box Set, $31. This Exotic Candy Bar Box Set includes Vosges' signature purple box with their silver stamped logo, designed like a book sleeve where the "bindings" of the bars show on the side. The box sets hold 4 Exotic Candy Bars. Three box options; Box A: Black Pearl, Red Fire, Naga, Gianduja; Box B: Barcelona, Creole, Woolloomooloo, Oaxaca; Box C: Goji, Macha, Calindia, d'Oliva.

A couple more,

Leonidas Dark Chocolate Assortment, $30. For those who truly enjoy the purest bittersweet chocolate taste, a well-balanced and representative selection of Leonidas’ masterpieces in dark chocolate covering to dazzle the most discerning palate.

Dylan's Candy Bar Deluxe Hot Chocolate Basket, $100. Who said hot choco doesn't put you in the mood? Indulge in a deluxe assortment of rich and creamy hot chocolate made from fine Belgian chocolate shavings. The gift crate also includes Dylan's delectable chocolate bars, colorful mugs, yummy pretzel pops, and mini marshmallows.

Meet This Year's James Beard Award Winners

Susannah Chen — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:36:10 PDT

The time has finally arrived: the James Beard Awards, or the Oscars of the food world, have just been announced. After months of suspense following the announcement of this year's semifinalists and subsequent finalists, the results were announced at a star-studded gala in New York's Lincoln Center, where a smattering of top talent from Grant Achatz to Top Chef winner Paul Qui walked home with medals.

For the first time ever, there was an Outstanding Bar Program award, and it went to Jim Meehan, owner and bar manager at PDT in New York City. Other highlights? Eleven Madison Park's Daniel Humm nabbed top prize for Outstanding Chef; Wolfgang Puck spoke at length as he accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar fame took home title of Rising Star Chef; the pastry wunderkind declared that if she could cook anything for James Beard, it would be turkey pot pie. Read ahead to see the full list of 2012 James Beard Award winners.

Link Time: Mary Katrantzou May Launch Plus-Size, Jamie Hince Adapts to Kate's Fashion World, and More

FabSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:51:52 PST

Mary Katrantzou might launch plus-size on Net-a-Porter; will others follow? - Fashionista
16-year-old model Hailey Clauson stars in a disturbing Pop Magazine editorial - Styleite
Lessons for a modern-day lady: how to wear cropped trousers - Stylelist
How to fix your pesky broken makeup - The Fashion Spot
How Charles Dickens's influence translated to the Fall runways - The Daily Beast
Why Alber Elbaz provides chocolate at his fashion shows - The Cut
The when-to-wash-it handbook - Real Simple
How to recycle a bridesmaid's dress - The Budget Fashionista
Bag Snob in wonderland: touring the Gucci bag factory - Bag Snob
Martha Medeiros brings her Brazilian couture stateside - Style.com
Jamie Hince dishes on living in Kate's fashionable world - HuffPost Style

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed!

Susannah Chen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:21:58 PDT

One month before their nuptials are set to take place, the world is abuzz with curiosity about details of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. Today we've learned what their regal wedding cakes will look like. Kate has chosen a fruitcake to be the main wedding cake - perhaps an odd choice in America, but a traditional one across the pond. Its designer will be Fiona Cairns, a well-respected cake creator known for her bold designs. Although further details of the cake "will be a surprise," says Cairns, we do know this: It'll be tall and tiered, and covered in cream-and-white decorative flowers that not only mimic the architecture of Buckingham Palace but also each represent something meaningful. For instance, the cake will include roses for England, shamrocks for Ireland, acorns for strength, and sweet William flowers as well.

Just like at Prince Charles's and Princess Diana's wedding, pieces of the cake will be cut up and put into little boxes. Because of fruitcake's density, the dessert will stand the test of time, serving as a memoir for the 600 guests. As for William? He'll buck tradition with a groom's cake, a top-secret royal family chocolate cake recipe that's made out of McVitie's biscuits, a digestive biscuit enjoyed at tea.

Although both sound incredible, I'd spring for William's in a heartbeat. Which cake would you rather eat?

James Beard Foundation Announces 2011 Award Finalists

Susannah Chen — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:29:09 PDT

We're one step closer to knowing who'll take home top honors in this year's James Beard Awards - the so-called "Oscars of the food world." Semifinalists were announced a month ago, and they included the likes of Stephanie Izard, Michael Symon, and Suzanne Goin. The awards, which will be newly sponsored by Groupon and hosted by Tom Colicchio, Ming Tsai, and Traci Des Jardins, won't happen until May 9.

To see which of the 29,000 nominations submitted this year have made it to the finals, read more.