Each time I visit Seattle, I usually make a visit to at least one or two chocolatiers to sample what’s new in their chocolate world. There are some fine chocolate companies in the area that make Seattle there home and are well worth a visit if you are local or travelling through.

Theo Chocolate

Here are some of these Chocolate shops who offer chocolate tastings, workshops and events:

Claudio Corallo Chocolate 2122 Westlake Avenue, Seattle WA . Open 12noon – 5PM Monday through Saturday. Retail location downtown Seattle, If you are in the area, stop by, sample some chocolate. http://www.claudiocorallochocolate.com/

Theo Chocolate, 3400 Phinney Ave. N., offers the most workshops and tasting events in the area, including its new Chocolate Academy, which features lectures and hands-on courses. About $55-$70 per course. Theo also holds daily tours of its Fremont plant ($6, including tastings). 206-632-5100 or www.theochocolate.com

Oh! Chocolate offers classes on Fridays and weekends at its Madison Park shop, 3131 E. Madison St. ($59). There are also “Parlour Nights,” chocolate-and-wine pairing events ($69). 206-329-8777 or www.ohchocolate.com

Chocolopolis holds workshops on how to taste chocolate and also brings in many of the USA’s top chocolatiers for free tastings and talks at its Queen Anne store, 1527 Queen Anne Ave. N. 206-282-0776 or www.chocolopolis.com

Cocoa Chai Chocolates offers a variety of workshops out of their Queen Anne studio for all levels. Included is one of the area’s most comprehensive chocolate courses, “From Bean to Bar.” See www.cocoachai.com.

Sweet Decadence Chocolates offers classes at its Newcastle shop, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 100 in Newcastle. 425-572-6572 or www.sweet-decadence.com

Wicked Chocolate offers a five-week class ($95) at the Sand Point Education Center, 6208 60th Ave. N.E., Seattle. See www.wickedchocolateshop.com

Fran’s Chocolates is part of a Chocolate Tour offered in Seattle, they also offer samples of all their chocolates http://www.franschocolates.com at their 3 locations around the area, their original location is at 2626 NE University Village St, Seattle, WA (206) 528.9969

By: Richard Wolak