Food connections with romantic love make us think of rich red wines and champagnes, oysters and candies. Most special occasion foods comprised of exotic ingredients can fill the bill. Yet no month is better to associate food with romantic love than February and its St. Valentine celebration. Perhaps no food better associates with romance than chocolate.

Right here in our Foothills, we have an inspired Swiss-trained Chocolatier who uses the finest Belgian chocolate available to carefully prepare and beautifully present exquisite treats. Jacqueline Chocolat bars, specialty bars, barks and powders are made in small batches for utmost attention to quality.

It all began in the kitchen of Beneficial Food Natural Market in Columbus, N.C. Several years back, one of the chefs for the market, Robbie Booth, wanted to make a batch of dark chocolate truffles.

Robert began by ordering ingredients from Belgium and began work on his future chocolate masterpieces.  Weeks of testing and re-testing flavors, appearance and textures for his truffles consumed him joyfully.  Who wouldn’t want the job also of tasting and re-tasting?

The gift of chocolate, for chocolate lovers, is special any time of year. Robert’s truffles and other specialty chocolate creations have since filled shelves at Beneficial Foods Natural Market where Jacqueline Chocolat was born. He is joined by Kathy Brown of Beneficial Foods Natural Market commercial kitchen in creating, assembling and packaging the evolving line of scrumptious treats.

Jacqueline Chocolat products can be purchased locally at the Flower Cottage in Columbus, Southern Delights in Landrum, through Manna Cabanna’s CSA program, Belue Farms in Boiling Springs, Polk County Farmers Markets and of course at Beneficial Foods at Adawehi in Columbus. Look for bars such as Vanilla Bean & Cherry, Fleur de Sel, Cacao Nibs and Chili Pepper.