Drum roll please…and our winner of our Third Year of Chocolate Contest is Pamela R. from Ohio! Pamela answered questions on our Facebook page and was chosen at random to receive 12 months of free chocolate from Barkeater Chocolates. Congratulations Pamela! Her first gift certificate will be issued in September.

Third Annual Year of Chocolate Contest!

It’s back & it’s better than ever! Join past winners like Kathy from Idaho & Karen from Arizona for 12 months of gourmet artisan confections from Barkeater Chocolates. Visit our Facebook page to enter: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Barkeater-Chocolates/285573488377

What do I win…exactly?

One lucky winner, chosen at random, will receive twelve $20 (USD) gift certificates redeemable online at barkeaterchocolates.com. Each month from September 2011-August 2012, the winner will be emailed one $20 gift certificate with a code that is valid for three months after issue. The winner is the only one who can order using the gift certificate, but he or she may choose to have it shipped to anyone in the US. Alternatively, the winner may redeem his or her gift certificate by placing a phone order to Barkeater Chocolates at 518.251.GIFT (4438). In addition, the winner will receive a tee-shirt included with his/her first order.

What’s the catch?

Of course we want you to work for your prize…but not too hard. We’re going to post 12 survey questions on our Facebook page between July 11-July 31, 2011. For each question you answer, your name will be entered into our random drawing. Maximum amount of entries is 12.  If you are the chosen winner, we will notify you via Facebook. You must respond to our message within 72 hours of being contacted to redeem your prize. If your message is undeliverable or if you don’t respond, we’ll pick another winner. When you are contacted, you must provide Barkeater Chocolates with your email address and inform us of your shipping address & full name.

Why a survey?

Because the answers you submit to our survey help us provide you with better product choices and it gives us an understanding of you, our customer.

When does the contest run?

July 11, 2011-July 31, 2011 (5pm EST). Any responses after that date/time will not be eligible. A winner will be chosen the week of August 1, 2011. Once the winner is confirmed, it will be announced. The first gift certificate will be awarded on or about September 1, 2011.

How about that fine print?

Always fine print! Here goes it: Open to US & Canadian citizens only. Must be 18 years old or over to enter or complete the survey. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary to win. No cash may be substituted for prizes. Odds of winning vary depending on number of entrants. All taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Any unclaimed gift certificates will be forfeited by winner. Anyone who enters more than one time will be disqualified. Maximum number of entries is 12, one for each survey question posted on Facebook during contest dates. Employees or family members of employees, and/or family of members/owners of Barkeater Chocolates may fill out the survey questions – but will be exempt from winning the prize. Winners will be chosen through an automatic randomizer program. Each gift certificate will have a 90 day expiration date. Valid gift certificates may be combined, but only by calling 518.251.GIFT, as the website does not have the option to add multiple gift certificates. Sales tax will be applied to purchases being sent to New York State. Gift certificates may or may not cover tax & shipping. Gift certificates are non-transferable.

It’s coming. Let the games begin.

Stay tuned.

It has long been a favorite pastime of our family to visit a new city and check out their farmers market. We became addicted to freshly baked goods, locally grown produce, cut flowers, cheeses, sauces, maple syrup…and well, the list can go on for at least three more paragraphs and several run-on sentences. Some of our favorites are the year-round markets in Philadelphia, Nashville & Florence, Italy (who couldn’t like a market that sells the finest wines in the world for under $2 a bottle?).

Today, the idea of a farmers market isn’t strictly urban – or even suburban. They have cropped up in the most remote areas, so that most towns either have their own or are within a short driving distance to one nearby. And they’re growing in popularity every year.

So the question that begs to be asked is, Why?

In a word: Authenticity.

Yes, that tomato bought at your local supermarket or big box retailer will cost less. It will taste just fine and look lovely on a burger. You can even purchase one that is organic for a few cents more and feel good about supporting sustainable agriculture. But the reason that it tastes so much better when bought from a local farmer is that you know where it came from. And when you stumble across a tiny little market on your way to your ultimate destination , you know you are getting a real taste of local culture. Most likely, the man or woman selling you that cookie or block of cheese or even (wait for it…) gourmet chocolate, is the same man or woman who made it or grew it for you.

What better souvenir to take home (or indulge in while you’re on vacation) than something authentic. Something that doesn’t have a tag that says Made in China (unless of course you’re visiting China – then disregard) or grown in Mexico (same exclusion as stated above).

And…why wait until your leave your hometown to get that authenticity? Support your local grower, artist, manufacturer and hold on to what makes your area so unique.

Barkeater Chocolates is proud to be a part of our North Creek Farmers Market, and others, while also being a frequent shopper of many!

Barkeater Chocolates’ Gigantic Egg Truffle is back – and heavier than ever! Last year, the one-pound plus gourmet chocolate egg truffle debuted to a sell-out crowd of eager customers ready to serve up a unique dessert after their Easter dinner. People drove to North Creek, NY where Barkeater Chocolates makes their handmade artisan confections, from 45 miles away just to get their hands on an egg or two.

Deb Morris, Owner and Chocolatier of Barkeater Chocolates says, “We wanted to create a confection that was not only hugely delicious, but something that would become a family tradition.” The Eggs, which come in either a solid Dark Chocolate Truffle or Dark Chocolate & Peanut Butter Truffle, were sold online atwww.barkeaterchocolates.com and at Café Sarah in North Creek. This year, the eggs will also be carried by Hudson River Trading Company – in North Creek.

“Last year, we were taking orders by phone, email, and through our website encouraging customers to reserve their eggs,” says Morris. But some people took their chances and drove up to the North Country only to find out they had arrived 10 minutes too late. “Customers actually left with smiles on their faces after being denied and said they’d drive back up again the next day – only earlier. As if it wasn’t only the egg they wanted, but the victory of beating someone else out of it.” Barkeater Chocolates made nothing but truffle eggs every day during the week leading up to Easter, restocking the eggs every morning.

This year, Barkeater Chocolates started selling the 18 oz. Gourmet Confections in early March at their shows, and pre-selling the eggs on their website so customers can choose when they’d like their eggs shipped. Egg lovers can also order online and choose in-store pick up to avoid shipping fees.

The eggs, which are packaged in white boxes with clear windows and a convenient carrying handle, retail for around $26.50 and will be available until Easter.

March 6 – droves of hungry chocolate lovers poured into the Meadowlands Exposition Center like rain pours over busy city streets; which exactly describes the weather outside that day. Shoppers took refuge among the chocolate lined aisles, feasting their eyes and their appetites on the dozens of booths that filled the Expo. We were at full attention for seven hours – helping customers, handing out samples and laughing with them over our original chocolate-inspired sayings printed on our line of tee shirts. We sent many people home with smiles on their faces (some with chocolate on their faces as well), while others came to our booth 2-3 times to purchase more of the decadent chocolate they just bought (and ate) while perusing the floor. While not every vendor carried chocolate confections, every booth seemed to buzz with an energetic crowd.

Our top seller? Our gourmet grown-up peanut butter cups of course, followed by our 1 lb. Giant Chocolate Easter Egg Truffles! The rain didn’t let up, and in fact, back at home in the Adirondacks – Mother Nature ensured we would have at least 6 more weeks of winter with 18 inches of new, wet snow. Well…at least we have chocolate!

Gourmet chocolate confections everywhere! This summer, we’re going cross country to introduce our chocolates to different areas of the USA. We’re expanding our retail base and would like your help! If you think we should stop in your hometown, state, county or vacation spot – let us know. We’re looking for retailers who specialize in high-end gifts, gourmet food and/or natural & organic treats. If you own a place like that or just love a place like that – give us the name of your favorite store, town & state and we’ll check it out! Thanks for spreading the chocolaty love!

Did you know that in Japan, Singapore, South Korea & China women give men chocolate on Valentine’s Day? Dark chocolate, to be precise.

The idea of women giving chocolate to men originated back in the 50′s thanks to a typo on an ad by a chocolate company. Now – women give the men in their lives chocolate every February 14th. The giving spirit is so rampant that the lucky recipients may include husbands, boyfriends, co-workers, friends, neighbors, local merchants, newspaper delivery boys…let’s just say most Asian men are very full on Valentine’s Day. THEN, in the 1980′s, the concept of payback was invented (most likely by a chocolate-deprived woman) and thus a new tradition was born. Today, in those aforementioned Asian countries, men must now give women white chocolate (or non-chocolate sweets) one month later on March 14th on White Day.

In honor of our Asian chocolate loving friends, we have put together the Romance Collection – a gourmet assortment of heart-shaped truffles that include four astounding flavors including our Asian inspired Wasabi-Ginger dark chocolate truffles.

Just a note to our male customers in North America and every other continent (other than Asia) – waiting until March 14th to give your favorite female a box of chocolate is a VERY BAD IDEA.

Here’s to sweets and romance this Valentine’s Day!