Our summer classes are HOT HOT HOT and they are filling up fast so sign up for your favorites today! Learn expert practices and techniques for producing a variety of delectable culinary creations from the experienced, award-winning artisans of Norman Love Confections at the Chocolate Salon. All gourmet chocolate cooking classes take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Chocolate Salon, 11380 Lindbergh Blvd., Fort Myers, FL. To register, call Lisa Mariani at 239-561-7215.

Summer Schedule – Remaining Classes:

July
21st – Truffles (This Wednesday Night!)
28th – Molded Chocolates

August
4th –  Liquid Love: Making Fondue with Flair
18th – Cupcakes (Sorry this class is full!)
25th – Molded Bittersweet 61%

September
1st – Black Tasting

Are you ready to learn the true art of creating Gourmet Chocolate delights?

If so – be sure to join us in our Gourmet Chocolate Classes where you’ll be assisted every step of the way by my team of gourmet chocolatiers.

We’ll help you make your very own mold of candies, from buffing, to coloring, to casting and boxing — and the best part?

Every confection you make is yours to take home!

I do try to be at every class, however, if I’m not able make it, my team of chefs will help you every step of the way.

If you’d like to learn more about our Gourmet Chocolate Classes be sure to visit our web site.  Please keep in mind, you must make reservations in advance as space is limited and our classes sell out quickly.

If you’d like to make a reservation, please give us a call at (239) 561-7215.

Thank you,

- Norman

As you may have read in one of my previous posts, we had a very special…

…contest where people nominated Mothers throughout the state of Florida to our Storybook Mother’s Day contest.

Last week, Mark Loren and I delivered our gifts to the winners of the contest, be sure to check out our photos from our journey.

Thank you to everyone who participated,

Norman

Now here’s a fun and interesting use of our Gourmet Chocolate!

Maura, our Production Manager, worked with Jennifer Hicks (and her staff) of the North Carolina Museum of Art to create a gourmet chocolate version of the Kirchner’s Panama Dancers painting!

Using 2,400 flat, square shaped Norman Love Confections dark chocolate shells filled with Tahitian Vanilla Ganache, they recreated the painting.

We used 12 colors to produce the 2,400 pieces, and then mixed and matched the colors out of cocoa butter — airbrushing them to match the painting.

They assembled the piece in the studio at the end of April (here’s the video!)

Panama Truffles from The North Carolina Museum of Art on Vimeo.

The event was on Thursday, April 29th, and the guests were allowed to eat the chocolates during the evening, uncovering the artwork underneath!

Here’s a funny photo of the male servers passing the extra chocolates out in tutu’s to match the girls!

Thinking of Gourmet Chocolate?  Be sure to check out all of our offerings on our web site at www.NormanLoveConfections.com.

Mark Loren (of Mark Loren Designs) and I are extremely proud to announce our Mother’s Day Contest –

Be sure to watch the video above to see our segment with WinkNews, where Mark and I describe the contest, and how you can get involved by nominating your mother, or a mother you may know.

Please note: This contest is open to residents of Florida only.

If you’re interested in entering the contest, you’ll have to do so by midnight of Saturday, May 1st, by:

* Going to www.WinkNews.com.
* Clicking on the “Mother’s Day Contest” (you’ll see a button on the right).

If you can think of a mother you’d like to nominate – please do!

The winners will receive a personal visit by Mark and I, and some very special gifts, as well.

Thank you,

- Norman (and Mark Loren)

We want to send out a very big “Thank You” to everyone who helped us raise $5,000…

…for the Boston Red Sox Foundation’s Heart Walk Team with the American Heart Association by purchasing our Valentine’s BLACK Heart collections for Valentine’s Day this year!

On Monday (April 29th), Mary & I will be presenting the check to the Boston Red Sox Foundation at 6:30pm (before the 7pm Red Sox game) at the City of Palms Park in Fort Myers.

Our partnership with the Boston Red Sox Foundation and the American Heart Association is particularly one that hits close to home because the Red Sox train here in Fort Myers, only a few miles from Our Salon.

We are glad to have had this opportunity to raise funds and awareness for this cause.

Be sure to learn more about The Red Sox Foundation, the American Heart Association, and us!

-Norman

It’s so important to me, and all of us at Norman Love Confections, to help people in need whenever possible…

Just recently, I divided my staff into three teams to create three gourmet chocolate centerpieces (pictured above).

The three pieces are on display at the Our Salon through Friday, April 2nd. Each piece will be raffled off for the benefit of the Pediatric Hemotology/Oncology Program at the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

You can purchase tickets for $5 for your chance to win one of our creations.

100% of the proceeds will be donated to this specialized program for children with cancer and blood disorders.

I have a special place in my heart for Dr. Salman, and these children.

If you’re in the Southwest Florida area and want to help us support this amazing organization, be sure to stop in Our Salon no later than Friday, April 2nd, and purchase your ticket.

Thank you so much for your support,

Norman

As you may have read in our last blog post…

…Our Gourmet Chocolates were in the Oscar Gift Bags.

We were exclusively invited by Hollywood Baskets to be part of their first annual SWAG gift bag, and we provided our 15 Piece Signature Gourmet Chocolate boxes for the occasion.

Just recently, we were sent a list of the actual celebrities who received the Gift Bags and thought you might like to see it too!

Here’s a list of confirmed celebrities who received the Oscar Gift Bag with our 15 Piece Signature Gourmet Chocolates.

• Gabourey Sidibe – Precious
• Colin Firth
• Jeff Bridges
• Vera Farmiga
• Anna Kendrick
• Morgan Freeman
• Stanley Tucci
• Zoe Saldana (Actor in “Avatar”)
• James Cameron
• Carey Hannah Mulligan (Nominee for “An Education”)
• Stephen Lang (Actor in “Avatar”)
• Sandra Bullock
• Jamie Foxx
• Mo’Nique
• Ryan Seacrest
• Jon Landau (Producer of “Avatar”)
• Maury Yeston (Song Writer Nominee for “Nine”)
• Jess Dorman (Editor of “Entertainment Weekly”)
• Mendhi Eftakari (General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills)
• Erika Hampson (Producer of “The New Tenants”)
• Sam Bisbee (Producer of “The New Tenants”)
• Simon Bax (CEO of “Pixar”)
• Maggie Gylanhall
• Susan Sarandon, and
• Oprah Winfrey

We feel extremely fortunate to have been part of something so special!

We just received this…

…showing our Signature Box of Gourmet Chocolates in the 1st Annual Academy Awards Gift Bag!

This gift bag is presented to nominees and presenters who stay at The Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.

You can learn more about Hollywood Baskets on their web site at: www.HollywoodBaskets.com.

You can also learn more about our Signature Box of Chocolates on our Web Site.

Enjoy!

I’m very excited to again be part of the Southwest Florida Wine and Food Fest…

…which will be held tonight, and this weekend, at the Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club.

The primary focus of the event is to help the following beneficiaries:

• The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
• Edison State College – Pediatric Nursing Program
• Florida Gulf Coast University’s endowed scholarship for pre-med program for local students interested in pediatrics.

Today, my good friend, Keegan Gerhard, from TV’s Food Network and I have been busy preparing for the event in Our Salon!

Be sure to see all of the Chefs featured in the event on the Southwest Florida Wine and Food Fest web site.  You can also learn more about the:

• Beneficiaries
• Wine List, and
• Dinners & Events.

You’ll also be able to see photos from the event, as well!

About the Southwest Florida Wine and Food Fest:

The Southwest Florida Wine and Food Fest is a gathering of wine enthusiasts who enjoy tasting an array of wines, combining them with creative cuisine and sharing with friends, old and new…all for the benefit of local children’s charities.

The event includes two days of Wine & Food Fest fun with unforgettable Chef Vintner Dinners held in host homes from Naples to Fort Myers followed by a Grand Tasting and Auction the next afternoon. The Grand Tasting and Auction will feature the creative cuisine of our area’s finest chefs along with a very special selection of wines from a wide variety of wineries. Spirited silent and live auctions held beachside at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club will offer bidding lots ranging from wines, art, trips and more — items you simply can’t find elsewhere.