Consumer Health News

Hot Valentine's Day Gifts: Chef Rocq macarons old style European flair, gluten-free

By April MacIntyre Jan 15, 2012, 22:59 GMT

If you wish to break free of traditional gift ideas for the upcoming Valentine\'s Day and have a lover who is a gourmand too, there is no finer box of sweets to send than Chef Eddy Rocq’s Sweetheart Collection of handmade macarons.

If you wish to break free of traditional gift ideas for the upcoming Valentine's Day and have a lover who is a gourmand too, there is no finer box of sweets to send than Chef Eddy Rocq’s Sweetheart Collection of handmade macarons.

In a stunning presentation of a fabrice covered elegant box, you can say “I Love You” or "Je t'aime" with 24 macarons made in the classic French way.

Parisian Chef Eddy Rocq bring the taste of Paris to you with his box of 24 macarons, Rocq’s Sweetheart macaron Collection is a true French delicacy in an elegant pearl-white box for under $50.

These delicious almond cookies are petite and heart-shaped, crispy on the outside but smooth and chewy soft in the middle with a 21st century twist. Made fresh daily, by hand and overseen by Rocq himself, and these delectable macaron’s are also naturally gluten-free.

Chef Eddy began his career at the Mederic Culinary School of Paris. His devotion to his craft have earned him a number of esteemed awards, including placing first at the world-renowned French pastry contest, “Seduce”.

His creations have graced fine dining locations such as France le Relais Saint Michel, Les Fermes de Marie, Hotel de Crillon, Meridien Place de la Concorde, and most notably at Hotel L’Ermitage in Beverly Hills, CA. Chef Rocq currently owns and operates a successful catering company in Southern California: Rocq Catering.

The Made in the USA collection includes four mouth-watering flavors:

¨     My favorite: Dark Chocolate, a delicious chocolate shell filled with a Valrhona chocolate ganache sprinkled with cocoa on top.

¨     Raspberry, made with fresh raspberries, this sweet berry-flavored cookie is filled with a rich white chocolate ganache.

¨     Peach Mango, a fusion of fresh peach and mango infused for a burst of juicy fruity ganache.

¨     Red Velvet, an explosion of flavor that doesn’t overwhelm; the moist red velvet crust shields the creamy bourbon vanilla bean filling.

These macarons were a labor of love for Rocq, who was mentored by well-known master chefs across France in the summer of 2011 to obtain maximum knowledge of macarons.

After working months alongside the teachings of prestigious French pastry chef, Guy Monnet, Rocq finally made his own recipe and created the heart-shaped macaroon exclusive for Valentine’s Day.

“These macaroons must be made by hand. So not ever heart is the same but every heart has a bit of my love in it,” says Rocq.

Delicious, unusual and incredible thoughtful for anyone who has a refined palate and love of a true macaron, European-style.

Order directly from www.RocqMacarons.com or available at www.WilliamSonoma.com starting January 19, 2012.

April MacIntyre is Monsters and Critics' smallscreen and people/celebrity editor who loves to visit and celebrate small American and Canadian companies when she can. You can contact her on Twitter