Chef chocolatier Molly Cook of Norman Love Confections has won the coveted title of Chocolatier of the Year as well as the People’s Choice Award at the Pastry Live competition in Atlanta held Aug. 20-22. Cook, along with Norman Love Confections’ Chef Chris Botterman, competed with the most accomplished chocolate chefs in the country to showcase their expertise and abilities.
Each competitor produced two different chocolates sold in their shop. Cook’s creations included a white chocolate molded piece – banana passion cheesecake, and a hand-dipped piece – almond raspberry made with 49 percent milk chocolate. Botterman’s molded entry was coconut, and his hand-dipped piece was Snickers-inspired, with peanuts and caramel.
“I am extremely proud of the dedication to excellence that Molly and Chris demonstrated in this competition,” said Norman Love, founder and CEO of Norman Love Confections. “They are both artistic and passionate in their craft, and work tirelessly to be the very best in our industry.”
Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate headquarters at 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers. The award-winning Fort Myers-based chocolatier has been lauded more than a dozen times by a leading consumer ratings magazine, including recognition six times for producing the best ultra-premium chocolates in the nation. Forbes.com included Norman Love Confections BLACK line on its list of the nation’s top 10 truffles; The Huffington Post listed it among the six best U.S. destinations in its Chocolate Lover’s Travel Guide; and USA Today named Love as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs for 2014. Love has recently been named as the inaugural inductee of Dessert Professional Magazine’s Chocolatier Hall of Fame, partnered with local chefs to present a six-course meal at the James Beard House in New York and Norman Love Confections was ranked among the top 10 shops in the world for chocolate lovers by U.K. media outlet Daily Telegraph.
Norman Love Confections has Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers, Estero and Naples, and Artisan Gelato by Norman Love is next door to the Fort Myers salon, off Daniels Parkway east of I-75. Chocolates, gift baskets, sipping chocolate and Love’s book, “Artistry in Chocolate, A Story of Love,” also can be ordered online at www.normanloveconfections.com. In addition, Norman Love Confections chocolates and desserts are offered on 18 Princess Cruises’ ships through the “Chocolate Journeys” partnership and at independent retail locations throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215.
