CHOCOHOLICS UNITE: CENTRAL MARKET'S ANNUAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL RETURNS FROM FEBRUARY 9-15

HOUSTON, TX - Bigger bars, richer cakes, more mousses, sweet and salty treats: all are hallmarks of one of Central Market’s most anticipated celebrations. The store’s annual Chocolate Festival begins the Wednesday before Valentine’s Day on February 9.

In store, you’ll find chocolate samplings throughout, bubbling pots of fondue, fresh fruits for dipping, chocolate truffles, chocolate bars, and yes, even chocolate beer. It’s a chocolate lovers dream!

A visit to centralmarket.com will reveal a number of products vying for Chocolate’s heart, and in-store hunt for QR codes revealing chocolate pairings leads customers to an enter-to-win opportunity that could net them an enormous basket of gourmet chocolates.

A sampling of chocolate products found throughout the store:

· (New) Republic de Caco, single origin dark chocolate bars

· (New) Xan Confections, filled truffles called Lady Bugs and filled chocolate called Saintly Sins and Jewels

· (New) Bissinger’s Chocolate, chocolate bars, chocolate bark bars and chocolate dipped caramels

· (New) Hoja Verde Dark Chocolates, dark chocolate bars made with unique Ecuadorian chocolates

· (New) Rausch Chocolates, single origin milk chocolate sticks and bars

· Young’s Double Chocolate Stout in Beer

· Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix from Vosges

· EO Nourishing Shower Gel and EO Everyday Body Lotion (both in Chocolate Mint)

· Stash Premium Chocolate Hazelnut Tea and Republic of Tea Chocolate Pecan

· Chocolate Tortilla Chips by “Food Should Taste Good”

Plus shoppers can grab great items to pair with their chocolates for Valentine’s gifts like specials on 10-stem tulip bunches for $9.99 and the popular Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two, which now includes a lovely bottle of wine for the same price!

WHEN: February 9-15, 2011

WHERE: Central Market 3815 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77027

CHOCOLATE COOKING CLASS HIGHLIGHTS:

Chocolate Love

Central Market Cooking School Staff

Tuesday, February 1 from 6:30-9 PM

Chocolate is the universal symbol of love (especially this time of year). You'll learn to make: Gianduja Cookies, Mexican Chocolate Cookies, Fudge Brownies, Bittersweet Chocolate Chile Truffles and Dark Chocolate Pave (you'll take this home in the pan for your loved ones!)

Kids in the Kitchen: Sweets from the Sweet (6-9 Year Olds)

Central Market Cooking School Staff

Saturday, February 12 from 10-12:30 PM

Learn to make these sweet creations to give to your Valentine: Decorated Heart-Shaped Cookies, Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Peppermint Bark and Cinnamon-Crusted Pecans.

Chocolate Extravaganza

Ruben Ortega, Pastry Chef, Backstreet Café and Hugo’s

Tuesday, February 22 from 6:30-9 PM

Join the 2010 My Table Magazine's Pastry Chef of the Year as he takes you on a chocolate journey like no other with this menu: Chocolate Tart with Raspberry Preserves, Chocolate Pudding with Raspberry Marshmallows, Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee with Orange-Cardamom Cream and Poached Pears with Chocolate Cream Sauce & Almond-Orange Streusel

· For more recipes and ideas, log onto www.centralmarket.com and search “Chocolate” under the recipes tab.