Gourmet Chocolate Love

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?

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!

A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Nathaniel Reid has joined Norman Love Confections. A rising star in the pastry world, Nathaniel was recently selected as U.S. Pastry Competition Pastry Chef of the Year 2010 in New York City! 

This award-winning chef specializes in contemporary, modern bakery creations with a European flair. He will oversee the production of specialty cakes, desserts and bakery items at the Norman Love Confections Chocolate Salon in Fort Myers, and consult with Chef Norman Love on the chocolatier’s new Naples location. For more information about Nathaniel, visit http://bit.ly/dChJPJ.

After nine years in Fort Myers, Norman Love announced today that he has signed a lease at Parkshore Plaza in Naples for the second location of Norman Love Confections. Construction on the chocolate salon will begin soon with a projected opening prior to Christmas.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Love. “We’ve always wanted a presence in Naples and the timing is right to expand into a new market.”

According to recent reports, premium chocolate sales have increased in recent years. Consumers are indulging in chocolate on good occasions and bad days and dark chocolate is gaining momentum for its health benefits as a good source of antioxidants.

The new Euro chic retail space, located next to the popular USS Nemo Seafood Restaurant at 3747 Tamiami Trail North, will be a combination of a confection shop and coffee bar. The shop will include a complete selection of NLC ultra-premium, handcrafted artisanal chocolates, pastries, desserts, breakfast bakeries, Italian Gelato, specialty coffees and smoothies.

Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes ultra-premium, handcrafted artisanal chocolates. Based in Fort Myers, the corporate headquarters encompasses both production and retail operations. The Chocolate Salon is a stylish retail shop with an intimate ambience in which customers may purchase chocolates or linger over house-made pastries, gourmet coffees, lattes and smoothies.

For more information or to place an order, call 239-561-7215, toll free 866-515-2121, or visit www.normanloveconfections.com. The Chocolate Salon is located at 11380 Lindbergh Boulevard, east of I-75, off Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, and is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.