June is National Candy Month, so why not indulge in some local delicacies? We have an award-winning, fine chocolate confectioner right here in Palo Alto.
Gâteau et Ganache (French for "cake and chocolate cream") recently won eighteen awards from the Napa Chocolate Salon including a gold medal for "Best Flavored Chocolate." At the 2010 San Francisco Chocolate Salon, the divine chocolates took fourteen awards including a gold medal for "Best Traditional Chocolate" and a silver medal for "Most Luxurious Chocolate Experience." Using seasonal, local and organic ingredients, the company creates artisan bonbons and marshmallows that look like miniature works of art and taste like bits of heaven.
Owner Anni Golding, a former technical writer and classically-trained pastry chef, says "We create small indulgences with an emphasis on true flavors and natural (organic and local whenever possible) ingredients.
The handmade marshmallows come in either adorable daisy shapes or the more traditional squares. Fluffy and less sweet than store-bought brands, the seasonal spring daisies come in flavors like lemon meringue, passion fruit and strawberry, and each little flower is topped with a dark chocolate dot. The square-shaped summer assortment includes blackberry, passion fruit and lime.
The chocolate bonbons deserve their accolades - they're made with the finest ingredients and include "La Passion," a dark chocolate treat filled with a mixture of passion fruit puree and white chocolate ganache. The chocolate is smooth and meltingly luscious, and the filling is a perfect balance of sweet and tart. "La Passion" is such a favorite flavor that it's the only bonbon that rates its own twelve-piece box; all other boxes contain assorted flavors.
"La Cannelle" is a delectable cinnamon surprise and "La Lavande" is made with lavender Earl Grey tea. "Le Citron" combines the irresistably bright citrus flavor of organic Meyer lemon with smooth, buttery dark chocolate. Other ingredients include blood orange, soft caramel, Tahitian vanilla and dark rum.
Gâteau et Ganache confections are available at Piazza's Fine Foods in Palo Alto and Draeger's Market in Menlo Park, San Mateo and Los Altos, as well as online. Bonbons are available in various assortment sizes ranging from the 4-piece teaser box ($9) all the way up to the 36-piece four-tiered extravaganza ($75) and each is elegantly packaged with a hand-tied ribbon.
Gâteau et Ganache
P.O. Box 61223
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 384-0859
Comments
Great article, Michelle, kudos for covering National Candy Month! Sounds like some delicious treats... :)
It is always great to know about a local candy maker. So much better than those shipped from the East Coast.
Great article! I NEED to go and get some! Sounds sooo yummy!
I had no idea that it was National Candy Month or that there was an award winning Chocolate Confectioner right in Palo Alto. I will have to try!!! Sounds delicious!!!
Thanks for alerting so many of us to this treasure!
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