The Greatest Box of Chocolates in the World Unveiled CocoaBella Announces Top Artisan Picks of 2006

(SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF—November 3, 2006)—A rosemary infused rainbow colored caramel from Kansas City, a chocolate encased fig stuffed with an almond and a sliver of lemon from Italy, an almond praline chewy caramel from France and a milk chocolate almond cluster from San Francisco were among the “Best of 2006” revealed today at a ceremony at CocoaBella Chocolates, purveyor of the finest chocolates in the world.
CocoaBella purveyor and owner Michael Freeman reviewed more than 350 artisan chocolates for inclusion in his “Greatest Box of Chocolates,” which is a world select assortment of 18 of the “best of the best” handcrafted chocolates.
The chocolatiers making the cut included:
Christopher Elbow (United States, Missouri) Working in small batches, he meticulously sculpts tiny pieces of chocolate perfection into miniature works of art that look as exquisite as they taste. Christopher Elbow chocolates are where modern culinary artistry meets traditional handcraftsmanship. Taste experiences are rivaled only by visual sensations.
Michel Cluizel (Europe, France) Michel Cluizel works tirelessly to discover remarkable plantations in order to elaborate legendary chocolates, each composed of exceptional cocoa beans from a single plantation. Cluizel chocolates are to be enjoyed and compared as one would fine wines.
Charles Chocolates (United States, California) Charles has set out to redefine the world of fine chocolate confections. He uses only the finest ingredients, including some of the world’s best chocolate, organic herbs, fruits and nuts as well as organic cream and butter from Straus Dairy. Everything is made by hand in very small batches using traditional techniques. This dedication to perfection is evident in each piece of chocolate. Every one is both bold and delicate – the perfect combination of flavor and texture.
The complete box of winners also features: Amedei (Italy); Corne Port Royal (Belgium); Knipschildt (U.S.); Maglio (Italy); Marquise de Sevigne (France); Pfister (Switzerland); Valentino (Belgium); Pralineur Van Coille (Belgium); Cary’s of Oregon (U.S.). (Individual winners attached)

The chocolatiers Freeman hand selected for this “greatest” collection and store sale, use old world chocolate making techniques with exotic ingredients, unique flavors and exquisite presentation to create chocolates that are the ultimate in quality, taste and visual appeal. They all are small batch, hand-crafted production, not widely available, using all natural premium ingredients. “I travel throughout the world with the simple question: Who is making the greatest chocolate,?” explains Freeman. “Most frequently, these chocolates come from artisans in home-based kitchens or small stores in never heard of towns or villages from various parts of the world. Each one is a gem.”

Taking the Chocolate Experience to the Next Level
Custom Build Your Own Box

CocoaBella is the only chocolate boutique in the U.S. to offer approximately 200 of the finest chocolates in the world, currently featuring collections from the U.S. and Europe. The chocolates are the freshest available anywhere, with selections arriving for sale within hours of creation. Freeman only carries small batch chocolates—no mass produced, grocery store or standard bar offerings.
“Freeman has a passion for chocolate and a mission to introduce people to an innovative, new breed of chocolatiers,” says chocolatier Christopher Elbow. “With CocoaBella, Freeman is taking the U.S. chocolate experience to the next level. “
CocoaBella allows customers to have a unique, relaxing experience learning about chocolate in an old world atmosphere that is casual in nature and fun. For those who can’t visit one of two store boutiques, CocoaBella.com introduces an online “Build Your Own Custom Chocolate Box,” which allows customers to order a personal selection of chocolates by dragging and dropping choices into a virtual custom gift box that is immediately mailed with the fresh chocolates selected.
About CocoaBella Chocolates
CocoaBella offers the best hand crafted chocolates in the world and is the ultimate chocolate lifestyle store and destination for experiencing and learning about fine chocolate. CocoaBella also features truffles, chocolate-based confections, bulk dark chocolate chips, coffee, bark and the “Best Cup of Hot Chocolate in the World,” which allows customers to select the type of chocolate and flavorings for the ultimate cup of hot drinking chocolate. CocoaBella.com offers a variety of pre boxed and customized gift boxes, including its popular, Build Your Own Custom Box. The “Greatest Box of Chocolates” retails for $25.00. CocoaBella has two store locations in San Francisco’s top shopping destinations: 2102 Union Street and 845 Market Street (Westfield/SF Centre).

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Contact: Lisa Henry, 415-497-7414 lhenry@baxtergroup.biz