San Francisco, CA, January 8, 2009 – CocoaBella Chocolates is proud to announce it will be hosting the first Top Chocolatier Pairing Event, featuring Christopher Elbow (Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates), Fritz Knipschildt (Knipschildt Chocolatier), and Jeff Shepherd (Lillie Belle Farms).  

For the first time ever, three of the world’s top artisan chocolatiers will be together presenting their favorite chocolate and spirit pairings at CocoaBella’s flagship old-world European style store in San Francisco. 

“It’s a real honor for CocoaBella to be hosting this event, offering San Francisco a truly unique experience with three of our most popular chocolatiers,” says Michael Freeman, owner and founder of CocoaBella.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our innermost pairing secrets to the food and wine community of San Francisco, where the standards of fine dining are of the highest in the country, if not worldwide,” says Christopher Elbow.

The Top Chocolatier Pairing Event will be held during the same weekend of the Fancy Food Show on Saturday January 17^th from 8:00-9:00 pm and will be at CocoaBella Chocolates, 2102 Union Street, San Francisco, CA.  Tickets are $20 per person, including all drinks and chocolate, and are available at CocoaBella stores or by phone at (415) 931-6213.

About CocoaBella Chocolates (www.CocoaBella.com)

CocoaBella Chocolates is the leading retailer of small batch, artisanal chocolates from around the world.  Founded by Michael Freeman in 2004 from traveling the globe to collect the finest chocolates, CocoaBella currently features more than 170 different chocolates from 18 chocolatiers and seven countries to offer the “world’s greatest chocolates.”      

About Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates

Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates illustrate the convergence of modern culinary artistry and traditional hand craftsmanship.  From a dynamic background, including work with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse at the Delmonico Steakhouse in the Las Vegas Venetian and Jean Joho at the Paris Resort and Casino’s Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Christopher Elbow creates decadent and exceptionally beautiful pieces using unique ingredients, such as 100% Venezuelan bean chocolate, Rosemary, French lavender, and Grand Marnier. 

About Knipschildt Chocolatier

Knipschildt Chocolatier’s Danish born creator, Fritz Knipschildt, makes top quality artisan chocolates and confections using classic recipes with a modern twist.  All chocolates are crafted by hand for brilliant, perfectly balanced flavors.  Fritz Knipschildt is the leading American pioneer of infusing savory flavors into chocolate.  His signature pieces showcase hot pepper, sea salt and the finest French chocolate.

About Lillie Belle Farms

Chocolatier Jeff Shepherd of Lillie Belle Farms is a larger than life personality whose pony-tailed countenance is evenly matched by his enthusiasm for all things chocolate.  Nationally recognized as a creator of innovative and unique organic chocolate combinations, like his award winning cayenne caramels and his smokey blue cheese truffles, Jeff is always striving to find the perfect balance between his love for chocolate, the world's best ingredients, and an infectious sense of humor with a rock and roll attitude.