{Vendor Spotlight} Chocolat by Adam Turoni

I lurve chocolate!! Yep, if I could eat chocolate everyday 24-7 I would, so when a local chocolatier contacted me about tasting his gourmet handmade luxury chocolate, I said YES of course. Adam has a long history with chocolate and many years in perfecting his skill. He says that, "with lessons learned from the kitchens of my grandmother to Chez Panisse to Chef Greweling I am spinning chocolates that taste like the magic of memories". You will remember his chocolate too!!! You can find his chocolates at all Wright Square cafe and Paula Deen's store or place an order with him for your event.

I was impressed with Adam's beautiful presentation of chocolates seen below, his gorgeous office space which is located on Desoto Row one of the few certified “green” buildings in Savannah, but more so by how delicious the chocolates were! Adam supports local businesses such as Savannah Bee Company, PERC, Brighter Day, and local spice and tea shops. He only uses premium chocolate chips to start with in order to make his delicacies. All of his chocolates tasted amazing, but my favorites were:

• Raspberry Mouse ganache, always a favorite combination but WOW he is good!
• Peanut Butter Cup, he makes the peanut butter from scratch and you can tell since it's so fresh and smooth.
• Sourwood Sea Salt Honey Caramels are soooo good and my husbands favorite (I let him sample my leftovers!)
• Cafe Americano has a nice robust infusion of local PERC coffee which is right across the street from Adam, perfect for an after dinner dessert with fresh brewed coffee!
• Blood Orange and Grand Marnier Truffle is very BOLD and sophisticated.
• Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel is also potent and a nice compliment to the orange truffle.

I loved this wall in his office that he painted and created a fun frame display!

Here is a close up of his signature Almond Bark Lion Medallion

Chocolat by Adam Turoni
2423 Desoto Ave, Savannah, GA
(570) 510-1820
chocolatat@ymail.com
http://www.chocolatat.com
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{Vendor Spotlight} Starland Dining Group

Today's {Vendor Spotlight} is also an {Organic Wednesday}

Nicole and I had a delicious tasting yesterday with a local caterer at the Jepson Center. We had 3 samplings of their specialty items, of which, the Georgia shrimp & grits was my favorite! Their food is locally sourced and has an international influence. The Starland Dining Group has been in operation for the last 8 years which includes the Starland Cafe, Cafe Zeum, and private catering for local events. I'm super exciting to know that they use NO STYROFOAM and are in the process of becoming certified green, plus they use all natural cleaning products. They offer so many different kinds of catering, and will build a menu based on your budget, dietary needs and overall likes. Also if you have not been to the Jepson Center since they created the atmospheric lunch area in their atrium, you must!! I love all the wooden tables and terrariums with air plants. "Our motto being: "From 4 to 400" specializing in private events, weddings, private dinners, catered/delivered lunches, Corporate retreats, Board meeting lunches, boxed/brown bag lunches,  Crew Catering/Craft Services for Film crews 24/7 food services, Magazine shoots, etc". - Starland Dining Group.

--photos of our tasting--

Catering Food Spread

 Starland Cafe Front

Cafe Zeum - Photo by Lily Lewin

Cafe Zeum is located at: 207 West York Street, Savannah, GA

The Starland Cafe is located at: 11 E. 41st Street, Savannah, GA

http://www.starlanddining.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Zeum/196489907047968

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Starland-Dining-Group/197512987022388

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Starland-Cafe/83200028433

{Vendor Spotlight} Thrive Catering

If you are on the way back from Tybee Island and want a delicious healthy snack, or you are tired of cooking dinner and need a break, or maybe you are planning a wedding in Savannah and want an eco-friendly caterer, then you need to stop by Thrive!

*Thrive is Savannah's first Green Certified Restaurant!

Chef and owner Wendy Armstrong offers a selection of prepared dishes using fresh organic ingredients from at least 20 local farms. Other offerings: fresh produce, local meats and charcuterie, cheeses, frozen soups and casseroles, and homemade desserts. Making it easier for people to eat healthier!

Thrive’s Catering service offers a refreshing menu for all your special events. Using the freshest ingredients they will surely complete any catered event. Wendy is happy to assist in any corporate business meeting, family get together, party or even small weddings. Accommodating up to 100 guests Thrive will satisfy everyone's needs for an event no one will forget.

Wendy has cooked for celebrities too! Harvey Weinstein, Bill Gates, Alicia Keyes, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick, the Ford sisters, Kevin Spacey, the Coppola sisters, and even more tycoons, royalty, and billionaires!!

Ready to get your tummy rumbling?? Here is a selection of delicious photos of what Wendy can do for you. (Wendy is below in the top left corner preparing that scrumptious bowl.)

So if you hire me as your planner, Thrive will definitely be one of the caterers I will refer you to. I love Wendy, the food she creates, and her mission!!

Whitemarsh Plaza  

4700E Hwy 80E Savannah GA, 31410

http://www.thriveacarryoutcafe.com/

follow them on facebook

*Thrive is certified by the Green Restaurant Association. The GRA is a non-profit organization that specializes in helping restaurants become more environmentally sustainable through their Certification program and consulting services. Read more about the GRA here.

Some of the steps Thrive has taken to earn this rating:

• Installing energy efficient lighting, significantly reducing energy consumption
• Sourcing local, sustainable, and organic foods
• Using non-toxic cleaning chemicals in their kitchen
• Providing organic cotton uniforms to staff
• Sourcing to-go packaging made from sustainable materials
• Full-scale recycling and composting of pre-consumer waste that’s sent to a nearby garden