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.

A VALENTINES DAY TO REMEMBER

SAVE PAPER, EAT CHOCOLATE! This time of year rolls around and we are usually stumped for gift ideas and want to step it up a notch from the traditional box of Lindtt. Well, we've made it so that you can now actually eat the box! We are featuring our infamous #organicchocolates in an edible box!  Handcrafted for your pleasure, this gorgeous box comes with three of Cocoa West's famous truffles in a hand-crafted box of milk chocolate - perfect for sharing! Or, if they're more of a teddy bear lover, check out our ADORABLE "Be Mine" chocolate bear! We also have very tradtional foiled chocolates in pretty reds and shiny silvers! 

 

These creations are available only in our #Bowen Island shop and for a limited time, so if you need another reason to come to Bowen for Valentines, this could be it! It’s the perfect excuse to hop on the short ferry ride for a day! And, if you can’t make it over on #Valentines Day, give your significant other a weekend getaway in the romantic and luxurious chocolate suite! Not only is this beautiful suite located just around the corner from #CocoaWest, but it is also seconds away from the Bowen Island Spa, and many delicious restaurants!

It is the perfect time of year for a #romantic walk along the beach or a stroll through the lush trails with a mug of our delicious hot cocoa or go for a relaxing kayak adventure! And, as mentioned before we are having a special on – STAY TWO NIGHTS AND WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE THIRD! No excuses now. Come see us!!

Ever Dreamed Of A House Made Of Chocolate? Now You Can!

Some of us fail to realize that there is a world outside of the downtown Vancouver core. However, these smaller communities and cities are the ones who are being neglected during the holiday season see link. So, to encourage your donations and support to our local community foodbank, we are giving you a little incentive... A chocolatey prize of course! A traditional #gingerbread house is fun to make, but wouldn't you rather one of our decadent, #organic #chocolate houses? Well you can!

This chocolate house has been very carefully crafted by the staff at Cocoa West using the finest organic chocolate - dark, milk and white.  It would be an impressive show piece for any families #Christmas day!

What To Donate:

Of course we will accept any donations, however there are some things that are needed a little more than others. Here are a few to give you an idea:

• Canned meat and fish
• Whole wheat pasta and rice
• Canned fruit and vegetables

How To Enter:

Simply bring a non-perishable food items to Cocoa West and we will enter you in a draw to #win!

How To Win:

Since we want to make it fair for those that cannot afford to donate their whole cupboard, we will be randomly pulling entry ballots on December 24th! So, get your donations in before then!!

Help make brighten someone's #holiday season and donate!

You may also purchase these chocolate houses for $150.00... but we still encourage donations!!

CHOCOLATE ART!

Carlos Vela-Martinez, Joanne Morgridge and Kelly Miller have been busy conducting an extensive two days, hands on airbrushing course at Cocoa West's production facility. Students have come from around the globe to learn - all the way from Florida to Alaska!

After completing an extensive three month, online course with Ecole Chocolat, (or have had previous chocolate or pastry experience) students will have the opportunity to further their knowledge and get a bit more creative! Then they will learn the techniques of colour on chocolate and how to use the tools and equipment that is needed to create your chocolate art!

"Everyone usually starts out intimidated using an air brush, but once we get them familiar with the basics, they get their wings and fly. Imagination is really the only limitation here." So, why not have some fun and let your imagination run wild!

Our next colour class will be held November 14th and 15th - Can't wait to meet our new students!

For a full description of the Colour Classes and other Chocolate Programs at Cocoa West, please visit the Ecole Chocolat .

Here's a little sneak peak :D

Airbrushing a chocolate with foodgrade coloured cocoa butter.

Tartan Art :D