Tricky Confections from
New York Chocolatier Joan Coukos

Fine chocolate combined with the eccentric excitement
everybody loves about Halloween.

By Patricia D. Sherman

During a casual stroll through a Brussels antique market in late 2000, Joan Coukos picked up antique chocolate molds. And she has never put them down! Her chocolate epiphany led her to cast off a successful career in international banking and devote herself to learning European confectionary technique.

In 2003 she launched Chocolat Moderne from a loft in New York’s Chelsea/Flatiron neighborhood. Her goal was to create a line of visually stunning confections, emphasizing dark chocolate and a modern flavor palate.

Within months, Coukos was established as one of the country’s finest emerging chocolatiers, winning awards for creative flavors and beautiful packaging. In 2005, her Pursuit of Happiness Assortment was chosen as a Finalist in the NASFT Annual Product Awards Competition, for Outstanding Packaging and Design. And in its December 2005 issue, Food and Wine recognized Joan as one of “America’s most exciting chocolate innovators”.

Now, Chocolat Moderne is taking Halloween confections to a sophisticated level.

“Our chocolate is known for combining unique flavors and the best ingredients to make something you can't wait to bite into. Halloween is a great opportunity to put all that flavor into a festive costume,” explains Coukos.

“This year, our Halloween assortment of caramels and pralines, will masquerade as pumpkins and spider webs. The inspiration behind these special chocolates is to combine fine chocolate with the eccentric excitement that everybody loves about Halloween,” says Coukos. "I am thrilled to combine some of the seasons most inviting flavors with best of the classics to ensure that Chocolat Moderne's only trick is to provide you the perfect treat".

Joan’s personal chocolate journey and Chocolat Moderne have been featured on the Today Show, Roker on the Road, and CNN, as well as in print venues, including Inc., MORE, Fortune Small Business, The New York Times, The Associated Press, InStyle, Oprah, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Chocolat Moderne is sold at select retailers across the country.
Visit www.chocolatmoderne.com.

Patricia D. Sherman is editor of ChocolateAtlas.com

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