2008-11-14 19:03:11 - San Diego Chocolatier Joanne Hansen has masterfully combined hot and spicy with decadent chocolate to perfect this unique flavor combination. Her confections have received two national honors.

Hot and spicy chocolates are all the rage in confections this year, and this creation of chocolate decadence has been perfected by San Diego Chocolatier Joanne Hansen, owner of Bon Bon Chocolates and Bakery. Hansen has been awarded two prestigious honors in national competitions.

Hansen's Chile Verde Ganache with Sweet Corn is the Grand Prize winner of the 2009 Scovie Awards

Competition (Tasting Division) Grand Prize, which was judged during the Fiery-Foods & Barbecue Show in Albuquerque, NM on Oct., 31, 2008. More than 500 chocolatiers entered this segment of the competition which recognizes top fiery foods and BBQ products from around the globe.

Hansen's Chocolate Lava Truffle won honorable mention in the Bon Bon category selected by the third biennial Next Generation Chocolatier Competition, with the theme "Salty Sweets.' Looking to identify and promote up-and-coming chocolatiers, this is the only national chocolates competition which features a two-stage judging process. Chocolatiers interested in competing submit an application and 20 are selected to pass through to the Judging round. This year, according to Clay Gordon, renowned chocolatier and competition originator, there were nearly twice as many applicants as spaces in the Judging round. He added that for the first time, there were many more "Rising Star" applicants (defined as being under 30 or in business for less than five years) than established chocolatiers. Hansen traveled to New York City on November 5 to receive her Next Generation Gold Medal. More than 100 food writers and critics were on hand when she received her award.

'These awards are my validation for all my hard work,' says Ms. Hansen. You don't have to be an adventuresome foodie to appreciate these special little gems with hard deep dark chocolate shells, luscious soft chocolate truffle centers, and a subtle fiery after burn, says Hansen who uses only the finest organic ingredients such as butter, chocolate, spices and flavorings when creating her inventive truffles. Her creations are all designed to satisfy your chocolate craving. 'I've tried to replicate the mouth-feel of the finest European chocolate-makers confections,' she said.

You can have your dark chocolate and spicy too with Hansen's line of Spicy Gourmet Chocolates with names such as: Mayan Chile Verde Gnache with Sweet Corn; Lava Truffle-featuring Habanera marmalade with Tequila Crème; Three Amigos-sweet and spicy nuts-Pistachio, almonds and walnuts; Hot Mocha Caramel and Habanera Poppers-little bombs of spicy chocolate with spices.

Before opening Bon Bon Chocolates and Bakery in 2006, Hansen traveled extensively throughout Europe visiting villages and towns renowned for chocolate, tasting, enjoying the aromas and observing the elements that would comprise her chocolates shop located in The Bernardo Winery of Shops in San Diego County. This European-style bakery where the chocolates are created, was painstakingly designed and built with Hansen's hard work-physically- 'I totally revamped this former furniture story, I poured the concrete, hung the lights, and did every bit of build-out,' she says proudly.

Hansen has been cooking and baking since she was a little girl. She got her passion from her mom, a homemaker, who designed and baked wedding cakes for many brides throughout San Diego County. Today, Hansen's spectacular wedding cakes, which are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate, are reminiscent of the taste, texture and designs she learned with her mom.

Although fairly new to the professional chocolates business, as a teenager and adult Hansen enjoyed the pleasure of giving gifts of cookies, cakes and tasty treats in beautiful packaging for holidays and special occasions.

For the perfect holiday chocolate gift, or just to treat yourself and experience the latest in chocolates and bakery goods, visit Bon Bon Chocolates and Bakery, www.bonbonchocolates.com, where you can create your own box of flavors. To enjoy the entire European experience and sample all of Joanne's sweets, visit the bakery located in Bernardo Winery & Shops, 13330 Paseo Del Verano, #E, San Diego, CA 92128, phone 858-592-0570.

###