The Secret Chocolatier is turning May into a sea of chocolate experiences for Mother’s Day gift ideas, group gatherings and for anyone wanting to learn more about chocolate. The first chocolate event of the month will be a Dessert Night on Saturday, May 14 at 8:00PM followed by three chocolate classes on May 21, May 28 and June 4.

At Dessert Night, guests will be treated to three chocolate-inspired dessert courses that incorporate fresh, local seasonal ingredients. Chef Bill Dietz – the store’s chief chocolatier and a 30-plus-year pastry chef – will prepare and plate each course onsite at The Secret Chocolatier’s Ballantyne location – 11318 N. Community House Road. Seating is limited for the event. Tickets are $25 per person and are by reservation only by calling 704-323-8178, ext. 0.

The Secret Chocolatier will also be hosting three upcoming chocolate classes including:

• “Chocolate Tempering” will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 2:00-4:00PM at The Secret Chocolatier’s Cotswold location at 2935 Providence Road, Suite 104 in Charlotte (28211). Led by Chef Bill Dietz, participants will learn the ins and outs of tempering chocolate through this hands-on class. Cost: $60 per person.

• “Chocolate Truffle Making” will be held on Saturday, May 28 from 2:00-4:00PM at The Secret Chocolatier’s Cotswold location at 2935 Providence Road, Suite 104 in Charlotte (28211). Led by Chef Bill Dietz, participants will make their own truffle ganache, learn about infusing flavors, and prep and use various treats in the finished ganache. This class is $60 per person and is geared for ages 14 and up.

• “Bark Making” will be held on Saturday June 4 from 2:00-3:15PM at The Secret Chocolatier’s Ballantyne location at 11318 N. Community House Road, Suite 203 in Charlotte (28277). Attendees will learn about chocolate, tempering, and choose from a variety of ingredients for making their own chocolate bark. This class is $25 per person.

Class space is limited and reservations are required either in person at The Secret Chocolatier or online at https://squareup.com/market/the-secret-chocolatier. For questions, contact The Secret Chocolatier at info@thesecretchocolatier.com, 704-323-8178 or visit http://homemadechocolategifts.com/events-classes/. These classes are also available for private parties. The Secret Chocolatier has gift certificates available for those wanting to present any classes as a gift.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, The Secret Chocolatier is also offering chocolate gifts that include:

• Mother’s Day Gift Boxes – Range in price $37 - $54

Features various size boxes of assorted chocolates, truffles and other treats, as well as butter toffee, and a chocolate covered graham cracker and more!

• Mother’s Day Baked Sampler & Decorative Plate - $22

Features an array of freshly baked treats – gluten-free chocolate nut cookies, enrobed brownie bars, classic chocolate macaroons (also available in gluten-free), vanilla pistachio biscotti and a springtime chocolate coated graham cracker – on a decorative keepsake plate.

• Chocolate Roses - $15

This is not your ordinary rose. It’s chocolate and flowers all in one. Offered for Mother’s Day in white and dark chocolate, each petal is hand formed and brought together to create a fully chocolate, edible rose. Each rose is sold as a single long-stem, 1/2 dozen, or full dozen, and wrapped and packaged as a real rose would be. Cost: $15 a stem.

“We look forward to kicking off May with this great Dessert Night event and other classes to give people an opportunity to build palates, learn about chocolates, confectionary and the baking art,” said Robin Ciordia, co-owner of The Secret Chocolatier. “These events are perfect for Mother’s Day gift ideas, group gatherings and more.”

About The Secret Chocolatier

The Secret Chocolatier began operations in 2008, selling hand-made confections at regional farmers markets, sourced from natural ingredients. The family-owned company opened its retail shop in 2011, at the corner of Sharon Amity and Providence Road in Charlotte, and expanded to Ballantyne in Fall 2013. The Secret Chocolatier offers wholesale programs, which allows shoppers to get their chocolate fix at area Harris-Teeter and other specialty grocery stores, wine and coffee shops, gift shops and boutiques. For more information, visit www.thesecretchocolatier.com.