Valentine's Day Gifts: William Dean and Jacques Torres all-American chocolate artisans

By April MacIntyre Jan 24, 2011, 4:30 GMT

Florida based chocolatiers William Dean Chocolates is a newbie, founded in 2007. The company is named in honor of its founder\'s father (William) and grandfather (Dean). All chocolates are made by hand, in small batches and without preservatives.

This year Monsters and Critics went high and low and found the coolest gifts that you can buy your sweetie that reflect a bit more thought than a bouquet of grocery store bought roses.

Keeping in mind we truly love finding American businesses who make cruelty free items, here are some excellent Valentine's gift ideas you can count on.

Classic Chocolate Love

Florida based chocolatiers William Dean Chocolates are relatively new on the scene, founded in 2007. The company is named in honor of its founder's father (William) and grandfather (Dean). All chocolates are made by hand, in small batches and without preservatives.

The assortment I received was off-the-hook gorgeous, set in a stunning deep sapphire blue box that held five special petite chocolates: Lavender, Cappucino, Tropical Caramel, Apple Pie, and Rosemary Caramel.

There are wild combos: Key Lime, Salted Caramel, Port with Plum & Fig, Raspberry Rose, Passion Fruit, Champagne, Red Hot Cinnamon, WD 64%, Dulce de Leche, Macadamia Caramel, Raspberry, Tupelo Honey, Creme Brule, Bananas Foster, PB Krunch and Mint Pie to name a few.

All their picture-perfect chocolates are handmade in their main shop down in Largo, Florida. LINK

Jaques Torres Chocolatiers also make beautiful hand-crafter chocolates with decorative tops and shapes, artfully presented in gift boxes.

Torres hails from Le Cirque's fine kitchen, and is reknowned as a top pastry chef and for his chocolate expertise.  One of the must-see spots in New York City, Torres is famous for his hot chocolate that has an added dash of chili powder, and for his chocolate chip cookies and ice creams too.LINK