Antoine Amrani Earns Accolades On Recent Launch Of Artisan Chocolates

Critically acclaimed Pastry Chef Antoine Amrani is having a great summer.

The new line of artisan chocolates bearing his name that debuted earlier this spring is enjoying early media accolades and customer praise for their exquisite flavor profiles, visual appeal and elegant, sustainable packaging.

Comments including, "an experience," "heavenly," "the best chocolate you can find outside of Paris" and "luxurious" are just a sampling of what food writers and chocolate lovers are saying about Antoine Amrani Chocolates.

High-end retailers are also paying attention. After only a couple of months on the market, Antoine Amrani Chocolates earned their place on the shelves of gourmet retailer Dean & Deluca in New York City and Washington, D.C. -- an achievement that can take years for some food producers to achieve. They also will be featured at Di Bruno Brothers, Philadelphia's top-tier gourmet retailer, in September.

So, with all the premium chocolates hitting the market every year, how has one of the newest players made a name for itself so quickly? The answer lies in the experience, lifelong passion and craftsmanship of its namesake, Antoine Amrani, the former Head Pastry Chef at Le Bec Fin, Philadephia's five-star, fine dining restaurant.

"At Le Bec Fin, we accept only one thing; the finest. Antoine Amrani continues to deliver beyond that expectation with his new line of exceptional chocolates. I wish him luck and success," said Georges' Perrier, owner/chef of 5-star French restaurant Le Bec Fin.

In creating his new chocolates, Chef Amrani's inspiration came from his travels throughout Europe and nine years at Le Bec Fin, where he most recently served as its Executive Pastry Chef. That experience, plus training at the Ritz Escoffier in Paris and the endorsement of famed chef Jean Banchet, set Amrani on a course to launch his own line of chocolates earlier this year, which so far is paying off.

"Antoine Amrani creates the finest chocolates in the United States. Only in France, you might be able to find chocolates as remarkable as these. His talent with chocolates is unmatched in America," said acclaimed French Chef Jean Banchet, founder of La Francais Restaurant.

Natural Ingredients and Sourcing

Made primarily with 70 percent dark chocolate, Antoine Amrani's modern and provocative flavors -- each visually beautiful and distinctly designed -- include Banana Rum, Coconut Kaffir Lime, Coffee Sour Cherry and Cinnamon Honey, among others. Better yet, Amrani sources natural ingredients from artisan suppliers, including many local farms, organic and smaller family-owned growers from around the world. Amrani's ingredients are natural and entirely preservative-free.

Antoine Amrani Chocolates are available in signature gift collection boxes ranging from 4 to 68-pieces retailing from $11.95 to $122, respectively.

Environmental Responsibility

Beyond the ingredients, Amrani also extends his sustainability commitment to the packaging, which is beautiful, functional, and environmentally sensible. Described as elegant and fashionable, the mahogany and chartreuse gift boxes use papers that are FSC certified, carbon neutral, and manufactured using Green-e certified wind energy. The paperboard is made with 100% recycled and 90% post consumer content and contains no harmful chemicals or metals.

In April 2009, almost coinciding with the debut of its chocolates, Antoine Amrani opened a retail store at his exclusive chocolate factory in suburban Philadelphia, which is open daily.

About Antoine Amrani Chocolates

Launched in 2009, Antoine Amrani creates artisanal chocolates inspired by a rich European culinary heritage. Chef Antoine Amrani dra