Chocolate 2009

Outstanding Chocolate 2009: John Kelly Chocolates Truffle Fudge Bites–Dark Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt

John Kelly Chocolates was created in Los Angeles in 2005, when fashion retail veteran John Kelson and advertising executive Kelly Green decided they wanted to launch a company together. Their only requirement was that it be something they could both feel passionate about it—and luxury chocolate turned out to be the answer.

The sofi™ Gold Winner for Outstanding Chocolate, Truffle Fudge Bites–Dark Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt, is a recent addition to the company’s line of Truffle Fudge Bars. “We knew that most people love the combination of chocolate and salt,” explains Kelson, “and we thought to ourselves, ‘what if we tried the salt with one of our Truffle Fudge Bars?’”

He continues, “We felt the smaller 1-ounce size made sense to us as a product portion size so that the right balance of sweet and salt could be achieved. We start with our award-winning smooth and creamy fudge recipe made with dark chocolate (86 percent cacao) that’s the texture of a ganache. It is then coated in semi-sweet chocolate and sprinkled with French Grey Sea Salt.”

In addition to the winning Dark Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt flavor, Truffle Fudge Bites are available in Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Caramel with Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt. Suggested retail price: $14 - $15/4-ounce. johnkellychocolates.com.—S. Segrest