Chocolate Kosher For Passover

Joseph E. Whaley, like many sons, decided to take over his father's business. Textile? Fish Market? Physician? Restaurant? Well, close as it does have something to do with food, namely chocolate.

It was several years ago when I stumbled upon a company called 5th Avenue Chocolatiere located on New York's Madison Avenue. I was really looking for my favorite chocolate place, Kron. His dad bought the Kron store and using the same chocolate formula created some of the most delicious chocolates "to die for". The tease was coming into the small store and sampling their non-hard coated truffles that truly melted in your mouth.

All of the chocolates were already packaged as the factory was located in the Long Island City area of Queens. I made my way there and watched various chocolates being made and getting the inside info on which suppliers were used.

One other thing to add to the greatness is that the chocolates are certified Kosher.

The store moved to 43rd Street to include the ability to choose your chocolates for packages. The factory also moved to 396 Rockaway Avenue in Valley Stream on Long Island. Joseph bought a building and the factory includes a storefront as well.

Walk past the displays and you'll enter a party room. Right now, the room is being used only for chocolates that are certified Kosher for Passover. What does that mean? To begin, there is a rabbi present to make sure that things "are Kosher". Joe uses a special chocolate that he doesn't use all the time. The chocolate covered matzohs are made with matzoh from Israel. Then there are chocolate covered macaroons. He may even be able to make a solid chocolate Seder Plate...hey he creates everything else.

Go past the party room and into the factory for a tour. There is actually one of those "I Love Lucy" machines. I'm going back out there to make a video for youtube.