Central Florida is wrapped in a luxurious ribbon of chocolate, thanks to some talented local culinary artisans. Here's are sampler of sources you should consider:
•Chocolate Traditions of Orlando: 1830 Longwood Lake Mary Road, Suite 1000, Longwood; 407-388-5471; chocolatetraditions.net. Primarily a wholesaler, but open to the public on occasion. For Valentine's Day sales, doors are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Saturday.
•Did You Say Chocolate?: 521 E. State Road 434, Winter Springs; 407-706-1385no Web. You can fill boxes with your "shards" of bark and the truffles have been known to evoke sighs and smiles.
•Farris and Foster's Fine Chocolates: 4875 New Broad St., Orlando, 407-770-1607; 1554 Town Center Drive, Lakeland, 863-686-9136; FarrisAndFosters.com. The white chocolate raspberry drops won best dessert at Taste of Winter Park three times, and the chocolate-dipped strawberries are big holiday sellers. F&F is hosting a Valentine's pajama party chocolate making event that is already sold out, but it's worth noting for planners already looking for creative ideas for next year.
•Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop: 1710 E. Buena Vista Drive, Downtown Disney, Lake Buena Vista; 407-934-8855. Ghirardelli, founded by Italian chocolatier Domingo Ghirardelli, sells indulgence by the ice-cold scoop in its adjacent soda shop. Ghirardelli is the second-oldest chocolate company in the United States.
•Godiva Chocolatier: 451 Altamonte Ave., Altamonte Springs (Altamonte Mall), 407-339-4005; 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando ( Mall at Millenia), 407-363-0810; 157 Towne Center Circle, Sanford (Seminole Towne Center), 407-324-0024; 8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando ( Florida Mall), 407-857-5549; Godiva.com. The company was founded 80 years ago in Brussels, Belgium by Joseph Draps and named in honor of Lady Godiva.
•Kilwin's Chocolates and Ice Cream: 671 Front St., Suite 140, Celebration, 407-566-8555; 8014 Via Dellagio Way, Suite 100, Orlando, 407-704-2798; 906 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, 321-723-1141; 1108 Main St., The Villages, 352-430-3600; kilwins.com. Long a Northern Michigan landmark, the Kilwin's has grown with locations throughout the country.
•Lindt Master Swiss Chocolatier: 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando (Mall at Millenia), 407-352-7776; Lindtusa.com. Founded in 1845, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high-quality products in more than 80 countries.
•Peterbrooke Chocolatier: 300 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-644-3200; 3310 Daniels Road, Suite 108, Winter Garden, 407-877-0048; 1087 Canal St., The Villages, 352-391-5877; Peterbrooke.com. Peterbrooke was founded in 1983 by Phyllis Geiger in Jacksonville's San Marco neighborhood. What's in a name? Geiger named the business after her children Peter and Brooke.
• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 451 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs (Altamonte Mall), 407-767-7500; 869 N. Alafaya Trail ( Waterford Lakes Town Center), 407-382-8692; 8200 Vineland Ave. (Premium Outlets), 407-465-1002; rmcf.com. The fudge, which is sold plain, with nuts and with a rocky-road spin, is cooked in copper kettles, then formed by hand into a huge "loaf" on a massive marble slab.
•Schakolad Chocolate Factory: 255 S. Orange Ave, Orlando, 407-895-0040; 480 N. Orlando Ave. ( Winter Park Village), 407-677-4114; 2425 W. State Road 434, Longwood (Springs Plaza), 407-389-4653; Orlando International Airport, 407-825-2812; Schakolad.com. There are several locations in Central Florida, but don't expect a cookie-cutter store concept as each store specializes in ultra-custom chocolates for their customers.
Food editor Heather McPherson, who thinks every celebration is better with chocolate, can be reached at hmcpherson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5498.
