Racy
Chocolate meets lingerie this Valentine’s Day with the announcement that Chocolatier Pierre Marcolini and fashion designer Carine Gilson will launch their bespoke capsule collection to mark the 30th anniversary of Carine’s fashion house.
The masters of chocolate and lace combine their creativity and expertise in a refined and limited collection.
“We had been toying with the idea of a collaboration for several years,” Marcolini said. “We are both from Brussels and we both champion contemporary craftsmanship. We share a passion for beautiful artistry and skill, which we want to preserve. Carine’s vision of the world around her is in perfect harmony with the Pierre Marcolini Maison. I have greatly enjoyed working with her.”
The new chocolate gift boxes will showcase Carine’s ‘Garden of Lace’ pattern complete with handmade silkscreened pouch for the final touch of elegance. Macarons, signature hearts and a ‘Love in a box’ luxury biscuit tin are all part of the offering, which have been launched in Pierre Marcolini boutiques worldwide.
Carine Gilson is most famous for her delicate lace and silk, and iconic pieces – lingerie, shirt sets and the signature kimono.
"We are both contemporary artisans who have inscribed ourselves into the heritage of our profession. I greatly admire Pierre for his unique production process and his belief in the principles of elegance and sustainability. His chocolates are genuine works of art - a temptation that weighs a few grams only," said Gilson.
The exclusive collection features boxes of Les Coeurs heart-shaped chocolates in varying sizes along with macarons and a dark chocolate heart filled with hazelnut praline and gianduja.
- Prices range from £9 - £55.
- Website: https://eu.marcolini.com/en
Indulgent
Hotel Chocolat is also covering all bases with an extensive offering this Valentine’s Day, which includes: A Dozen Dapper Dogs – cast in milk; Cheesecakes reimagined in chocolate with authentic ingredients; A Dozen Happy Hearts - milk chocolate hearts with a natural raspberry blush; and ‘New Loves for 2020’ - Raspberry-White Batons ideal for nibbling, savouring and most importantly, sharing.
The premium UK chocolatier also has a range of ‘Love Potion’ chocolate recipes in a keepsake flask as well as Valentine hampers, various goody bags and boxed collections. Check out the extensive collection online.
- Prices from £4.50 - £99.
- Website: https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk
Iconic
With awards season in full swing and with romance firmly in the air, the UK’s most innovative chocolatier, Paul A Young, has harmonised the two in a 12-piece Valentine’s Day chocolate collection that’s inspired by the most iconic romantic movie stars of the past 120 years.
The true romantics of the collection include Cherry, Vanilla and Rose, inspired by 1920’s Greta Garbo, made from Guittard 35% Soie Blanche ganache combined with Morello cherry puree, amaretto, vanilla and rose. Signifying passion, there’s also the Fiery Raspberry Bellini, inspired by 1950’s Marilyn Monroe, which fuses a raspberry reduction with 62% Guittard Eureka Works and champagne, and spiced with cayenne pepper for a final kick. The Audrey brings to life the classic breakfast combination of Coffee and Croissant and is sprayed blue to pay homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
- A collection full of blockbusters can found on the Paul A Young website, prices from: 1 choc £2, 4 piece box £7.00, 9 piece £15.50, 16 piece £26.00, 25 piece £40.00 & 36 piece £56.00
Flattering
For something completely different and for those perhaps looking for a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift, Skittles has the perfect (and most ridiculous) solution.
The candy brand is giving people the chance to gift your significant other with a custom 3D-printed bust of themselves, inspired by the brand’s latest innovation … Skittles Dips (which are now available on shelves in the US for the first time).
The busts – made to resemble the indulgent, multi-textured candy, including the soft, creamy yogurt-flavored looking coating of Dips – are available in one of the Five Fruity Flavors – with a colour of your choice.
Unfortunately, the busts are not edible.
- Fans can purchase their custom bust for $20.20 by visiting Skittles’ Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SkittlesDipsBusts
Calming
Culinary driven CBD brand Azuca, founded by chef Ron Silver of NYC Bubby’s, also has a range of alternative gift ideas for the big day.
Chocolate Coins: Azuca’s chocolate coins are artisan-crafted and use premium 61% Valrhona chocolate. Using 25 mg full spectrum hemp extract per coin, these treats are vegan and gluten free, and the perfect treat to gift a loved one.
Recipes: Silver has plenty of dessert and cocktail recipes incorporating the chocolate coins and Azuca’s sugar and simple syrup, available upon request – think hot chocolate, cookies, brownies and horchata!
- Recipes are available online at https://azuca.co/recipes/
Creamy
Mochidoki is a nationally renowned, New York-based mochi ice cream company, known for its imaginative and refined Japanese-inspired desserts. In lieu of the generic chocolate box, Mochidoki is offering elegant gifts of pillowy rice dough filled with artisan ice cream in unique, chef-driven flavours - ranging from classic, truffle-like Chocolate to tangy Passion Fruit (made with real fruit puree), and festive pink Raspberry Crunch (filled with white chocolate covered pearls), along with seasonal flavours like rich, aromatic Espresso and Sweet Miso (a hint of savoury Japanese umami).
Mochidoki also makes its products using highest quality ingredients, without GMOs and with 100% natural flavors and colors, in 10+ gluten-free varieties, two vegan flavors - and all with only 80 calories per treat.
Tangy
Sour Punch and Red Vines have some ‘yummy candy’ for Valentine’s Day with an exclusive new Sour Punch flavour (Strawberry Lemonade) only available in this assortment.
- Check-out their website for more details.
Truly
Seattle Chocolate and jcoco’s have a bunch of last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts, and jcoco will also launch a range of new milk and dark chocolate caramels this month.
- See website for more details.