Gourmet Chocolate Love » Chocolate Gift Ideas

Say I love you with NLC’s 2012 Valentine’s collection

Norman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:29:35 +0000

Chef Norman Love has announced the Norman Love Confections 2012 Valentine’s collection which features the return of the much sought after Love & Kisses Collection as well as a custom-designed heart-shaped Valentine’s gift box.

This year’s collection also includes the limited edition heart-shaped Norman Love Confections BLACK and the NLC signature green gift boxes available in a variety of sizes.

The 2012 Valentine’s collection includes:
Blushing Kiss, a white chocolate confection with a ganache of cherry, almond and white chocolate. (Also available in Love & Kisses Collection.)
Bubbly Kiss, white chocolate filled with strawberries and champagne. (Also available in Love & Kisses Collection.)
Caramel Charm, milk chocolate with a ganache of the world’s best caramel and roasted nuts.
Coffee Caress, milk chocolate confection filled with a sweet coffee, Kahlua and white chocolate ganache.
Dreamy Love, a milk chocolate shell with peanut butter, marshmallow and milk chocolate filling. (Also available in Love & Kisses Collection.)
Fiery Love, dark chocolate filled with a Chipotle and dark chocolate ganache. (Also available in Love & Kisses Collection.)
Five Spice Smitten, white chocolate confection with a touch of vanilla and a blend of five spices.
Red Berry Romance, white chocolate confection infused with fresh red berries mixed into a white chocolate ganache.

NLC Love & Kisses
Each individual creation is made from the finest ingredients, no preservatives, using only the best quality of chocolates, butter, spices, nuts, purees and flavors. The famous green gift boxes feature the eight 2012 Valentine’s flavors along with an assortment of NLC’s 36 signature flavors with prices beginning at $13 for a five-piece box. The ultra-premium dark chocolate collection, Norman Love Confections BLACK in heart shapes, begins at $15 for a five-piece box. The custom-designed heart-shaped Valentine’s gift box, filled with 20 pieces of ultra-premium chocolate from the NLC 2012 Valentine’s collection, is $60. An 18-piece traditional heart-filled box featuring the 2012 Valentine’s collection of assorted heart flavors is available in limited supply for $45.50. The Love & Kisses Collection, in two-, four- and eight-piece boxes, begins at $6.25.

Norman Love Confections has been lauded nine times by a leading consumer ratings magazine including recognition six times for producing the best ultra-premium chocolates.

Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from the Fort Myers corporate headquarters that encompasses both production and retail operations. The Fort Myers and Naples Chocolate Salons are stylish retail shops with an intimate ambience in which customers may purchase chocolates or linger over house-made pastries, gourmet coffees, lattes and smoothies.

The Fort Myers Chocolate Salon is located at 11380 Lindbergh Boulevard, off Daniels Parkway, east of I-75, and is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Naples Chocolate Salon is located at 3747 Tamiami Trail North in Parkshore Centre and is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, call 239-561-7215 or visit www.normanloveconfections.com.

Chocolate for Breakfast Anyone?

Norman — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:38:42 +0000

According to the culinary experts who served as “Trendspotters” at the 2011 Winter Fancy Food Show, the answer is a resounding “Yes, please!” The article that appears on Foodspring.com (http://foodspring.com/content/fancyfoodtrends/?gclid=CLu9qO7q_qoCFVAi2godymQJzg) lists “Chocolate for Breakfast” as one of the Top 5 Food Trends for 2011. The article doesn’t give too many specifics, but just imagine the possibilities….
The article does mention hot cocoa, and we suggest something better – Norman Love Confections BLACK™ Sipping Chocolate. This European-style beverage is far superior to any “hot cocoa” you’ve ever tasted.
Many of our new Gift Baskets now feature baked goods that could pass as breakfast foods – if you’re the trendy type or want to treat someone who is.
However, if you find yourself in Southwest Florida, you can hit the “Chocolate for Breakfast” jackpot at The Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers and Naples, which carry fresh gourmet pastries and delicious coffee, Monday through Saturday. You can also pre-order a breakfast platter and other gourmet baked goods for pick-up or delivery by calling 239-561-7215. Please join us for breakfast to try this trend on for size!
For a map, store hours and other information about The Chocolate Salons, visit http://www.normanloveconfections.com/contact/.
Share your ideas – How will you enjoy chocolate for breakfast?

What Did You Do This Summer?

Norman — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:48:33 +0000

The first day of fall is tomorrow, and although it doesn’t feel much like autumn here in Southwest Florida, the start of football season and local back-to-school activities make it feel like change is in the air. As we look forward to pumpkin patches and cooler temperatures, we reflect on what we did this summer.

To the exterior world, summer might seem like an uneventful time at Norman Love Confections, but behind the scenes our kitchen is buzzing with activity. Not only did we participate in many community events and fulfill a steady stream of orders for birthday, anniversary and “just because” gifts, we also hosted an unprecedented number of gourmet cooking classes – 14 total!

We opened our new Naples Chocolate Salon and added gelato to the menu there. Behind the scenes, somewhat covertly in fact, we created some exciting new signature flavors, which we’ll launch in the coming weeks, and our special holiday flavors that will launch in November. Yes, the winter holidays keep us busy year-round, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Stay tuned for exciting announcements about the 2011 Holiday Collection! (If you aren’t yet on our mailing list, subscribe here: http://www.normanloveconfections.com/subscribe/)

So what did you do this summer? Share your exciting news…. Did you get engaged? Welcome any new babies to the world? Did you retire or go on an amazing vacation? We’d love to hear the highlights from your summer. Please comment!

Outside-the-Box Holiday Gift Ideas

Norman — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 20:02:10 +0000

If you’re thinking of giving someone a box of chocolates, Norman Love Confections is the way to go. Our gourmet artisan chocolates are handcrafted with the finest ingredients, they are as beautiful as they are delicious, and even our gift boxes have a very special “wow” factor!

Outside of the box, Norman Love Confections offers a variety of Gift Baskets, and our Chocolate Specialties, such as our famous Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Bark and fresh Chocolate-Covered Candied Nuts and Fruits, stand alone as affordable gifts and delightful stocking stuffers.

Want to take it a step further… Here are some creative ideas to incorporate chocolate into your holiday celebration in surprising new ways:

Present Toppers – Heighten the natural anticipation that comes with receiving a wrapped gift by also putting a beautifully packaged treat on top with the ribbon. Gift Boxes and Chocolate Specialties, as well as Gift Certificates, make excellent present toppers. Christmas morning can’t come soon enough!
Membership Privileges – Give someone a gift that keeps giving all year long. Sign them up for one of our four Chocolate Clubs. Members enjoy 4 or 12 shipments of signature line or Norman Love Confections BLACK™ boxes of chocolate throughout the year!
Hidden Gems – You may have heard of the “12 Gems of Christmas” giveaway, in which Norman Love Confections and Mark Loren designs are hiding 12 pieces of jewelry and 12 gift cards in Norman Love Confections gift boxes Dec. 1-25. Surprise someone you love by placing a small precious gift inside on of our gift boxes or baskets filled with chocolate gourmet goodies. A bonus… they’ll never guess there is jewelry inside!
New Year, New Tradition – Brighten someone’s New Year’s Eve celebration with a gift of champagne and chocolate. White chocolate confections, such as our Candy Cane and Eggnog flavors, make an excellent pairing with champagne. Best of all, you may start a new tradition of toasting with chocolate! Click here for additional wine and chocolate pairings to consider for your holiday preparations.
Travel Friendly Gifts – This may not be all that surprising, but we thought we’d include it as a friendly reminder. If you or your gift recipient is traveling this holiday season, Gift Certificates and Norman Love Confections BLACK™ sipping chocolate make very travel friendly gifts. These gifts won’t melt on the journey and aren’t as likely to be confiscated at airport security if you take the appropriate precautions. Gift Certificates are also affordable to ship so you can give more!

Inspired? Please share new outside-the-box holiday gift ideas with the Norman Love community here!

Free Jewelry and Chocolate… Given with LOVE!

Norman — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:33:51 +0000

Now through Dec. 24, 2010, Norman Love Confections will be giving away 12 pieces of Mark Loren jewelry, worth $500 to $3,000, and 12 Norman Love Gift Certificates in denominations of $25, $50 or $100! The jewelry and gift certificates will be hidden in boxes of chocolate sold at the Norman Love Confections Chocolate Salon in Fort Myers. Here’s a list of the “12 Gems of Christmas” jewelry by Mark Loren Designs that will go to 12 lucky Chocolate Salon customers:

14k White Diamond & Blue Sapphire Star Pendant with Chain
Platinum/18k Yellow Gold Gent’s Ring with .55-cts Diamonds
14k Yellow Gold Ring Channelset with 1.65ct Sapphire
18k White .30cttw Diamond & South Seas Pearl Earrings
14k White Gold Hoop Earrings set with .55cts Diamonds
14k Yellow Turquoise and Mabe Pearl Earrings
Sterling Silver and 14k Yellow 2.70cttw PS Garnet Earrings
14k White Gold Cross with .75cts Diamonds and Chain
14kw Yellow Gold Pendant Set with Pink Druzy and Moonstone
18k White Gold Start Pendant set with .55cts Diamonds and Chain
Carved Burmese Black Jade Bangle
Freshwater White Pearl Bracelet

How to Say “Happy Holidays” with Gourmet Chocolate!

Norman — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:16:20 +0000

There is nothing subtle about the way our society celebrates the holidays. We have special decorations, special music and, yes, special food that we reserve for this special time of year. The flavors that make up your personal holiday repertoire may vary slightly from your friends and neighbors, but everyone recognizes certain “holiday flavors.”

Each year, Norman Love Confections puts together a special collection of flavors that are only available during the holiday season. These flavors, along with the 36 signature flavors we offer year-round, come in Holiday Gift Boxes ranging in size from 5 pieces to 50 pieces! This year, the Norman Love Holiday Collection, which was launched on Nov. 14, includes the following eight flavors:

Candy Cane – Sweet white chocolate and peppermint are combined in a beautiful red and white swirled shell for a true holiday favorite.
Champagne – Celebrate the New Year with this unique milk chocolate champagne filling, wrapped in a dark chocolate shell.
Rum Raisin – Delicious rum-soaked raisins combined with a milk chocolate ganache will warm your heart for the holidays.
Eggnog - Finely grated nutmeg is infused in rich cream and then folded with Swiss white chocolate and sweet butter to recreate this wonderful holiday refreshment.
Gingerbread – Freshly baked gingerbread cookies are blended with creamy milk chocolate and a delicious mix of spices.
Hot Toddy – This rich citrus-flavored dark chocolate with a surprising hint of heat will certainly put you in the holiday spirit.
S’mores – Delicate marshmallows are melted with creamy milk chocolate and blended with lightly toasted graham crackers to create this true childhood classic.
White Christmas – A traditional blend of hazelnut praline and creamy cinnamon ganache are layered inside a beautiful milk chocolate shell.

Each year, the collection is slightly different. We keep many of your favorites year after year and add new flavors to keep the collection fresh and exciting. Like all of our products, these beautiful, decadent confections are handcrafted with the freshest, finest ingredients available, including high-quality European chocolate.

Additionally, we create specialty chocolates, such as our famous gourmet Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Bark , just for the holidays. This delicious treat makes a wonderful stocking stuffer and beautiful present topper. It is also included in many of our Holiday Gift Baskets.

This year, for the first time, we are excited to announce we’ve added a special Hanukkah Collection with the following flavors available in special 4- and 16-piece silver boxes, topped with blue bows:

Baked Spiced Apple –We use tart granny smith apples caramelized with cinnamon, vanilla and sugar, and pureed with sweet cream butter for this delectable filling, enrobed in a Swiss white chocolate shell.
Cherry Cheese Blintz – Enjoy a creamy smooth white chocolate and cheese ganache, fresh vanilla and cherry jam layered within a white chocolate shell.
Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroon – This rich dark chocolate confection contains buttery coconut cream and sweet toasted coconut flakes.
Cinnamon Rugelach – Experience these beloved cinnamon swirled cookies in a new way, blended with a rich white chocolate ganache and covered in a milk chocolate shell.

No matter what your holiday traditions entail, those searching for a way to say “Happy Holidays” with gourmet chocolate can rely on Norman Love Confections for the utmost quality and ease. Order everything from your stocking stuffers to your employee and client gifts online at http://www.normanloveconfections.com/ , or at the Chocolate Salon in Fort Myers, Florida. Southwest Florida customers have the benefit of personal Delivery Service for in-store-only items such as gourmet pastries, pies and party platters as well.

How will you say “Happy Holidays” with Norman Love Confections this year? Share your ideas!

Introducing 10 New Gourmet Flavors Available Year-round

Norman — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:01:18 +0000

The artisan chefs of Norman Love Confections are pleased to announce the introduction of 10 new gourmet confection flavors. Each premium confection is handcrafted using the finest ingredients including quality Swiss chocolate, decadent California honey and fresh fruits and nuts. There’s nothing like new LOVE!

1. California Honey – Simplicity sings in this beautiful golden California honey ganache dipped in Swiss milk chocolate.

2. Hazelnut Praline Truffle – Pure and delicious Hazelnut praline is better than ever in this luscious milk chocolate truffle.

3. Hot Dark Chocolate – This intense dark chocolate confection is infused with jalapeno pepper for a delightfully spicy sweet combination.

4. Mango – Ripe sweet mango provides a taste of paradise, which we enrobe in delicate white chocolate.

5. Peaches and Cream – Nothing says “summer” like tart fresh peaches drenched in heavy cream and coated in white chocolate.

6. Peanut Brittle Truffle - The buttery toffee and roasted peanuts that make peanut brittle such an all-time favorite are blended into a creamy milk chocolate truffle.

7. Peanut Butter Banana – Back by popular demand, this confection is new again, honoring a classic flavor combination with a blend of creamy peanut butter and fresh banana covered in milk chocolate.

8. Rum Cake – Indulge in a rich buttery dark rum-soaked cake, which we’ve blended into white chocolate ganache and covered with dark chocolate.

9. Sweet Tea – Fresh brewed black tea and a splash of lemonade covered in white chocolate is a refreshing change from the ordinary.

10. Tiramisu – Ciao down on creamy vanilla mascarpone and rich espresso ganache enrobed in a dark chocolate shell.

Norman Love Confections offers a total of 36 flavors year-round. In addition to the new flavors described above, the following delectable tastes are making a comeback this year: 66% Venezuelan Dark (formerly known as 70% Complexite), Almond Marzipan, Caramel Apple, Cherry Cordial Truffle, Cinnamon Roll, Coconut Truffle, Cookies ‘N’ Cream, Dark Chocolate Cream Truffle, Espresso Truffle, Florida Orange, Key Lime Shell, Milk Chocolate Truffle, Mint Chocolate Chip, New York Cheesecake, Passion Fruit, Passion Panna-Cotta, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Pistachio Cherry, Pumpkin, Raspberry, Strawberry, Tahitian Caramel, Vanilla Cupcake, White Chocolate Raspberry and White Vanilla Truffle.

For more information on these 36 flavors, special collections such as BLACK and S’more Love, Specialty Chocolates and more, visit http://www.normanloveconfections.com/.

Father’s Day Gift – Give the Gift of Gourmet Chocolate

Norman — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:41:31 +0000

Whether your dad is a serious chocolate connoisseur or simply loves sweets…

…a gift from Norman Love Confections is a great way to say “I LOVE you” this Father’s Day.

Our signature gift boxes provide an assortment of dark, milk and white gourmet chocolate confections in quantities of 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 pieces.

Sleek gift baskets include the Chocolate Lovers Gift Basket, as well as the Euro-Style Sipping Chocolate Basket and Dark Chocolate Deluxe Gift Basket featuring the ultra-premium BLACK dark chocolate line.

Gift certificates and chocolate specialties also make excellent gifts for Dad, and there are sugar-free selections as well.

This Father’s Day, remember: real men LOVE chocolate!

Be sure to order online by 2pm today, or stop by Our Salon.

Enjoy!

A Gourmet Chocolate Birthday – Meet Our Oldest Customer!

Norman — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:47:10 +0000

About 2 months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting…

…Anne Schuette, who was born on April 7th, 1905!

Anne lives with her daughter and family in Fort Myers (and in Illinois), and here she is enjoying our Norman Love Confections cake and gourmet chocolate for her 105th birthday!

Thanks for sharing your photos Anne & family!

- Norman

N Love – Our Gourmet Chocolate Wedding Line

Norman — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:41:17 +0000

N Love is our exclusive line of gourmet chocolate…

…wedding cakes, favors, desserts and novelties.

Our n.Love line is handcrafted by world-class artisans Mandy Butler and Rachel Godlin under my direction, and each ultra-premium N Love creation is beyond comparison, taking your breath away with its outstanding attention to dtail, artistic excellence, and sophisticated flavor.

If you’re interested in learning more about our n.Love offerings, be sure to learn more!

Enjoy.