The ULTIMATE Easter Gift.... SUN-SCULPTED EGGS!!!

Sun-Sculpted Egg in a chocolate nest

Chocolate is the preferred ingredient when it comes to Easter eggs, and this year, Cocoa West Chocolatier of Bowen Island offers a stunning and delicious alternative to the mass market eggs that seem to spill from every retail shelf.

These unique sun-sculpted eggs, made with all organic ingredients, are works of art in chocolate, using the master's techniques Cocoa West Chocolatier Joanne Mogridge has developed over the many years she's been making her exquisite chocolates.

Mogridge says she first saw these unusual eggs in Barcelona, Spain, where its creator, Enric Rovira – inspired by the sculptural qualities of Spanish master architect Antoni Gaudi – began making them several years ago. The process involves setting the chocolate eggs in the sun to let its heat do the sculpting. It's a precisely timed process that can only be done by hand. But Barcelona is likely sunnier than southern B.C. at this time of year, so even if the sun does hide behind the clouds here, Mogridge says she has other tricks up her sleeve to make sure the eggs develop into beautiful sculptures.

The sun-sculpted eggs come in 4-inch ($26.75) and 6-inch ($46.75) sizes, sit in a charming chocolate nest adorned with chocolate twigs and are filled with her shop's specialty, the Unbelievably Good Egg, a soft caramel and chocolate centre truffle rolled in toasted almonds, as well as foil-wrapped solid dark chocolate eggs.

Cocoa West truffles, chocolates and hot chocolate mixes have always been made with certified organic and fair-trade chocolate. They are also free of soy lecithin, a common emulsifying ingredient in many mass market and artisan chocolates, because of concerns about common allergies to soy, Mogridge says.

The special eggs are available at the Cocoa West on Bowen Island, at the Portobello West Market in Vancouver on March 24 and 25, and online at cocoawest.com. There is an additional shipping charge for online orders.

These beautiful sun-sculpted chocolate egg from Cocoa West Chocolatier is filled with its signature Unbelievably Good Egg truffles and foil-wrapped solid dark chocolate eggs.

 
For The Tradtionalists ;)

We will also be featuring an array of bunnies and rabbits to please the more traditional palette. Like all of our other chocolates, they  are hand-crafted with organic chocolate!

For those of you who just want our try our chocolates for "personal use" or simply get your Cocoa West fix, we will are bring our signature Eden's Harvest Truffle, The Unbelievably Good Egg, and 30 of the recently famous Lucky Brew!!! You don't want to miss out, see you this weekend!!!

Portobello West Market was created in 2006 by Carlie Smith and inspired by the famous artisan markets of Europe, Portobello West’s goal is to introduce Vancouver’s style-conscious shoppers to the creative artisans and designers working here. Now operating as a not-for-profit society headed up by a board of directors and a market manager, Portobello West remains Vancouver’s premiere fashion and art market. Portobello West Market, located at the Creekside Community Centre, launches its new season this weekend, March 24 & 25, 11 a.m. To 5 p.m.

For more information, please contact Joanne Mogridge at Cocoa West Chocolatier, 604-947-2996 or email her at joanne@cocoawest.com.

To see a demonstration of sun sculpting eggs done by Enrik Rovira in Barcelona for Anthony Bourdain, check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N4RS9ow9DA.

LIMITED EDITION ST.PATRICKS DAY CHOCOLATES!

Luck of Da Irish To Ya! 

Milk and White Chocolate Shamrocks

Since the #Irish and many other nationalities consider #shamrocks to be a symbol of good luck, we wanted to pass this luck on to those who don't have time to hunt for the illusive four leaf #clover. Well, and of course we knew it would be even better if you could actually EAT (and enjoy) your lucky #shamrock ;) This yummy treat is made from a combination of milk and white #chocolate which is then carefully hand painted with a green cocoa butter, making it the perfect little treat. Simple and delicious.

Beer ganache coated in milk and dark chocolate

Lucky Brew Chocolates!

Of course,  what would St.Patrick's Day be without #BEER!! We have created a unique recipe for deliciousness - BEER GANACHE!!

Winter Ale and Lucky Brews!

These designer chocolate truffles are a beer and dark ganache,  which is covered in a creamy milk chocolate and dark chocolate, then topped with a #lucky green #clover on top :). The Mission Springs Brewing Company's 'Mashing Pumpkin Winter Ale' beer used in these little gems was carefully chosen by Bowen Island Beer and Wine store's Paul Rickett to ensure the perfect balance between the two flavours.  We have only produced 144 of these delectable truffles, so come try them before they are gone!! Trust us, you don't want to miss out!!!!!


Check out this article in  the Bowen Island Undercurrent  to see more on how the "Lucky Brew Truffle"was born!!!

Joanne Mogridge, Kelly Miller and Paul Rickett @ Bowen Island Beer and Wine store.