Joseph Schmidt Chocolate Bowls - SUBSTITUTES?

[annien]

For the past five years, my firm has been purchasing Joseph Schmidt chocolate bowls as holiday gifts for clients. Ever since I heard they were closing in January, I have been frantically searching for a replacement. All the chocolatiers nowadays seem to be producing the same type of truffles, however: cute tiny printed squares of high quality flavors. Unfortunately, we are aiming more towards the initial 'wow' factor than spectacular taste. Does anybody know of a chocolatier that creates the equivalent of a JS chocolate bowl for the holidays, or even something similar? I swear my boss is going to make me bust into Oompa Loompa mode and create my own Willy Wonka factory next...Thanks!!!

[abbyj]

Hi Annien, Yeah, we're heartsick that Jos. Schmidt's was bought out by Hershey's who just acquired them, obviously, to shut down the competition. The Schmidt truffles were the best ever. Two suggestion I have for you:

1) the Veruca chocolates. These have been recommended, and they have a major "WOW" going for them. You can order them online, as one could do with the Jos. Schmidt chocolates, and they have an excellent assortment of flavors: http://www.verucachocolates.com/

and

2) the Norman Love Chocolate Confections. Very beautiful. True works of art and very appealing flavors. See what you think: http://www.normanloveconfections.com/

Neither of these companies is local, unfortunately, but they are unique, and I have purchased the Norman Love chocolates locally in SF at a great little cafe on Van Ness.

Good luck!
Abby

[marilees]

Try Teuscher chocolates (available at Stanford and other locations).

[abstractpoet]

Not bowls, but I think the beautiful chocolates from Chocolatier Blue in Berkeley do have a certain "wow" factor--not to mention being delicious. They did these amazing Easter eggs last year, but I don't know if they'll have anything equivalent over the winter holidays. I wonder if the owner would do something special for you if you were placing a big order.

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Chocolatier Blue
1964 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94701

[abbyj]

abstractpoet, Thank you for the recommendation. I took a look at the chocolates, and they are just beautiful. We'll consider some of these in the near future. Abby

[wolfe]

I found this but don't know if Bissingers make their own or they are JS. I did see several size chocolate cups at Sur la Table Walnut Creek.
http://www.bissingers.com/category/de...

[lexdevil]

Also carried in many sizes at Piedmont Grocery.