On the Radio! and new flavors

LUCA is all over the internet airwaves this week. In a big surprise to me, the folks over at the 404 on CNET reviewed my bacon box (listen here). Let me tell you, it was rather painful for me to listen to, the guys get a bit dramatic, and of course I had no idea this was coming, but in the end, I think everyone liked it.

Also, tune in at 6pm EST on this Thursday to hear me in the inaugural episode of "Chocolate Covered Bacon - The best in Independent Food Finds". Just visit blockheadradiolive.com and click the player to tune in. (I think? this is all very new to me!)

Finally tonight - Mother's day flavors are up on the site! Here's your sneak peek:

Lavender Honey Buttercreams - dreamy Provence lavender melts into honey buttercream in a milk-dark chocolate shell

Rose Pistachio Creams - rosehip buttercream with a center of pistachio fondant in a milk chocolate shell

Lemon Chamomile Truffle - fluffy white chocolate ganache infused with lemons and chamomile tea, enrobed in white chocolate

Fennel Toffee - rich, buttery toffee infused with anise liqueur, brushed with dark chocolate and studded with candied fennel seeds

Violet Nougats - delicate violets lightly flavor and beautify bright white nougat mingled with apricots, mangoes, almonds and pistachios, half dipped in dark chocolate

Rhubarb Caramels - spring rhubarb flavors classic caramel, dipped in dark chocolate and topped with a candied rhurbarb slice

You may recognize some of the flavors - especially if you're one of my fabulous chocolate of the month subscribers (not one? what are you waiting for? go here), but this box is all about flowers and springtime, and it's a very limited edition, so order early, it may disappear very soon.

I'm also offering the biggest box yet, 36 pieces for $48.95. Why? Because your momma is worth it! Be sure to leave a note in the ordering instructions if you'd like me to add in a special note, wrapping or puppy (puppy availability not guaranteed).

New Places to get your LUCA fix

The chocolate kitchen has been a frenzy of activity lately, but I had to stop to tell you about three new places to find LUCA treats. Our first and farthest location is the soon to be open Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island, located quite obviously on Michigan's idyllic Mackinac Island.



A little closer to home is chocolate paper in Roanoke, Virginia. There, you'll be able to buy individual LUCA confections, thanks to owner Matt Burkett's amazing selection of chocolates in three big temperature controlled cases.


Last but certainly not least is a new gift-art-wine shop in Farmville, Mylestone Gallery. They're not quite open, but they'll be open and sampling chocolate through Sunday at their downtown Farmville store in celebration of the Dogwood Festival.

Also, if you happen to be in downtown Asheboro tomorrow, I'll be participating in Art on Sunset - selling chocolates of course, but also showing off my dad's amazing metal work (pictures to be posted on their own special spot on the website).

The Easter flavors will be coming down on Sunday with new Mother's Day flavors taking their place.

out of town

I'm out of the kitchen this week, so any orders will ship out at the beginning of next week. Thanks for all your orders over Easter, it's time for a much needed and far too brief break!

Pistachio Update

I've received word from the producer of my pistachios, Paramount Farms and they've assured me that their nuts are safe. I've included an excerpt from their reply -
Paramount Farms is not part of this recall, and we
believe our products are safe. We have stringent quality control
procedures in place, and our products consistently exceed USDA
specifications.

We are committed to producing only the highest quality products and the
health and well-being of consumers who enjoy our pistachios is our
foremost concern. Consistent with this commitment and in light of the
current situation, we are testing all products in our inventory and are
committed to testing all pistachio shipments going forward as a further
precautionary measure.

So, since all the nuts in my buttercream came from Paramount farms, I'm putting them back on the menu. Remember, if you want your order to arrive in time for Easter, I need it no later than 3pm today (for Priority) and no later than noon tomorrow (for Express).