Maria Valente of Chocolations in Mamaroneck is participating in the?YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester‘s Turn Up the Heat by-the-bite fundraiser on Oct. 13.
Her mothers gift of an almost too pretty to eat chocolate hen one Easter started Maria Valente’s obsession with beautiful chocolates. She turned a hobby into a cottage industry while her children were small. ?Valente took a detour to law school, and after graduating she realized her true passion still was with chocolate.
Valente?opened her?first shop 10 years ago. The shop Chocolations?has been in for the last six?years is four times the size of the original and allowed them?to expand the product line and host childrens parties. Chocolations gives back to the community by taking in interns and participating in mentoring programs, as well as mentoring other women entrepreneurs.
Chocolations
Rich, smooth and beautifully decorated. There’s nothing quite like biting into the smooth ganache center of a premium quality gourmet chocolate truffle. Filled with a rich, chocolate blend that melts in your mouth, these silky truffles are the chocolate lover’s dream.
Their?truffles have been named the best of Westchester and Chocolations is a multi-year winner of the Best of Westchester award. ?They have been written up in the New York Times, and their?product has appeared on the TODAY show as one of Kathee Lee and Hodas favorite things.
Here’s how to make Chocolations‘?Signature Hot Cocoa:
- Fill a mug ? of the way with a great quality bittersweet chocolate or mix of milk and bittersweet chocolate if making it for kids.
- Add ? cup of boiling water to start melting the chocolate and stir.? Add steamed milk slowly, stirring until all chocolate is melted.
- Leave room at the top for homemade whipped cream. Sit back and enjoy!