Ghyslain Chocolatier Review and Giveaway

Again, here we go with my huge sweet tooth, yes another post about a yummy treat and this one just happens to be pretty special! Now, this was supposed to go up before Valentine’s Day but due to some family sickness and winter weather I was unable to get it up until now, so sorry guys. As you know “Bug” and I are huge fans of chocolate, doesn’t matter they type as long as it’s chocolate and that is exactly what this post is going to be about. We were given some beautiful hand painted chocolate hearts from Ghyslain Chocolatier to review just in time for Valentine’s Day!

About Ghyslain Chocolatier (taken from website):

An artist can express himself in many ways. For Ghyslain Maurais, it has been through chocolate and pastry.

Born in Québec, Canada, Ghyslain found his culinary passion while working in the field to fund his architectural education. Soon after, he changed career paths and entered the Institue du Tourisme et d'Hotelerie du Québec.

Certified in French pastry, chocolate décor, candy making, blown/pulled sugar and bread making, Ghyslain has served as the head chef for the Canadian Delegations in New York and London. His career includes experience as both a pastry and executive chef in first class restaurants and hotels.

While working at the Inn of Versailles in Ohio, he met his wife, Susan. Together they relocated to her hometown in Union City, Indiana to establish Ghyslain Chocolatier.

Since 1998, connoisseurs of gourmet chocolate and fine French pastries have visited Union City to enjoy tours and shopping in the chocolate boutique

In May 2008, Ghyslain expanded with the opening of a new location in Richmond, Indiana. The full service Richmond Bistro serves lunch and dinner. Patrons can enjoy shopping in the boutique which features French pastries, homemade gelato, and a wide assortment of Ghyslain's gourmet chocolates.

Then in June 2009 Ghyslain opened a third location in Zionsville, Indiana in "The Sanctuary", gallery of artist Nancy Noel. Lunch is served Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 4pm and the boutique is open from 10am to 5pm. It is a superbe venue location for weddings, showers, private parties.

Chocolate des beaux arts:
The fine art of making artisanal chocolate

Ghyslain's signature chocolates are one-of-a-kind hand-painted masterpieces created with the finest ingredients. Each chocolate features a unique design detailed with hand brushed color. And yes, they taste as incredible as they look.

Our Thoughts:

Ghyslain Chocolateir was kind enough to send us a Hand-Painted Milk Chocolate Heart Bonbonière - Pink Filled With 8 Valentine's specialty chocolate hearts to review. I knew that I was going to be receiving a Valentine’s Day product but I didn’t know what exactly it would be but once it arrived at my door and I seen the beautiful hand painted chocolate heart I was thrilled! I can tell you though that the heart was painted so beautifully that I really didn’t want to open it nor eat it but in all fairness of the review “Bug” and I decided to go ahead and open it and check out the 8 beautiful hand painted Valentine's specialty chocolate hearts that were arranged inside of the large heart!

Now the one thing I must say here is that I have never really thought of chocolate to be beautiful, yes, I’ve said it’s cute at times when it’s in cute little shapes like animals and such but never beautiful. These chocolates were just plain beautiful! We did finally break down and try the chocolate itself, we already knew it was pretty but how does it taste? Well it’s delicious, very creamy and melt in your mouth chocolates! Now the Valentine's specialty chocolate hearts were just plain heaven, they were each filled with different fillings that really complimented the chocolates to really wake our taste buds up and give them a good kick.

Of all the flavors of the Valentine's specialty chocolate hearts were filled with my favorite by far was the caramel filled but don’t get me wrong they were all delicious and oh so beautifully hand painted. “Bug” told me that they were girly chocolates but after one taste he changed his mind and really enjoyed helping me eat one a night for a week or so as well as helping me and Chad eat the chocolate heart shell! The thing that I loved most about these chocolates is that one small chocolate heart truffle satisfied my chocolate craving where as some of the other chocolates I’ve eaten in the past where I would have to eat 2 or 3 to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Bottom Line:

I am very impressed with the hand pained chocolate hearts that we received to review and I will most defiantly be keeping Ghyslain Chocolatier in mind when ordering fine chocolates for special occasions or gifts for friends and family. As a matter of fact I have two really close friends expecting little ones one in May and one in Aug . so I’m thinking that the Turtle Family (pictured below) would make a wonderful addition to the pamper mom part of the new baby gift baskets I am putting together for my girls!

Now, if you are looking for some beautiful yet delicious fine chocolates that will really have your taste buds dancing for joy we do recommend checking out the unique and beautiful chocolates from Ghyslain Chocolateir! Also just a side note, I think I can speak for just about every chocolate lover when I say that these hand painted chocolates would make the perfect gift!

Buy It:
To purchase the beautiful fine chocolates mentioned and pictured above visit the Ghyslain Chocolateir website!

Win It:
Ghyslain Chocolatier has so very generously offered one of my readers a 12ct Le Montage which is an assortment of their chocolates form the following collections: Ghyslain's Signature, Truffle Harmonie, Collection de Caramel and Medallion Noir (ARV $24.00)!

Mandatory Entry: Visit Ghyslain Chocolatier and tell me what one product you would like to try! Please remember to leave your e-mail address if it’s not visible in your profile.

Want or need extra entries? Check out how to grab em’ below! (Mandatory Entry must be complete for these to count)

1. Become a public follower of my blog (2 extra)

2. Follow me on twitter @sgrant2005 and tweet this giveaway (can be done daily)

3. Subscribe to my feed via a reader

4. Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post and to Ghyslain Chocolatier be sure to leave me a link (5 extra)

5. “Like” Ghyslain Chocolatier on Facebook

6. Add this giveaway to any other giveaway site, linky or forum (2 extra per link, unlimited)

Giveaway ends March 07, 2011 @ midnight CST. Winner will be chosen at random, using random.org and contacted by e-mail and has 48 hrs to respond before a new winner is chosen.

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion with the product listed above. I did receive the Hand-Painted Milk Chocolate Heart Bonbonière - Pink mentioned above complementary for this review. No monetary compensation was received.