Panache Chocolatier: A Celebration Isn’t Complete Without a Sweet Treat!

Imagine a wedding or birthday without cake, or the holidays without candy and cookies! Now consider a confection that in itself is a celebration; a single bite causes you to close your eyes, pause and savor the texture and intentional flavors, stirring old memories or creating new ones. Do you taste coffee? Spice? A touch of heat or a note of whiskey? And now you understand the difference between eating chocolate and experiencing chocolate. May I introduce, or reintroduce, you to Panache Chocolatier.

You can stroll the tree-lined streets of Leawood’s Park Place, shop a variety of locally owned businesses and take a seat on a park bench while experiencing luxury chocolate from Panache Chocolatier. Owner and Grand Master Chocolatier Julie House wakes early each day to create luxury artisanal chocolates one piece at a time. She works with only the finest, natural ingredients. You will never find pastes, extracts, preservatives or sprays in her kitchen. One bite and you’ll taste why she wins national and international confection competitions year after year in multiple categories.

Panache chocolate is not purchased in bulk, melted and fashioned into a product with extended shelf life. Julie House created the recipe for Panache’s chocolate, sourcing Belgian cacao, known for its smooth mouth feel, and blending it with Colombian cacao, known for its rich notes of coffee, floral and Amazonian botanicals. The result is a next-level canvas for her artistic genius.
My conversation with Julie was simply delightful. We instantly landed on common ground as designers and talked about the joy of creative expression through cooking and the soul-satisfying moment when you’ve created something you know is special. Our shared belief that the beauty is in the details led to my favorite part of the interview, as Julie spoke with passion and conviction when describing her kitchen process. Patiently whisking the chocolate as it slowly melts. Layering the natural flavors, pouring, dipping and swirling the chocolate with intention, then gently placing dried fruit, crushed nuts, flower petals, the right amount of drizzle or dusting on top, creating a one-of-a-kind luxury, artisanal chocolate ready for you to experience.

Truffles, Yes Please!
Julie’s truffles are divine and meant to be enjoyed in three or four bites. Take your first bite; as the chocolate melts in your mouth, you notice the texture and flavor. With the second bite, the flavors intensify and notes of coffee or red wine begin to surface. By the third or fourth bite you are fully savoring the complexity; you’re satisfied and you just want to sit with it for a bit.
The shop is beautiful and overwhelming in the best way; it’s not easy deciding what to taste first! If you like a rich, deeply flavored cocktail, the Classic Cocktail Collection of truffles is the perfect place to start. It features local spirits from Union Horse Distilling Company, with six truffles in a box, including flavors of Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Mint Julep, Brown Derby and Sazerac. If you prefer red wine with your chocolate, Julie has a box just for you. The Red Wine Collection features delicious reds from Kansas City’s very own Amigoni Urban Winery.

Raising the Bar
The award-winning Panache Signature Bar Collection has it all, featuring a collection of milk, dark and white chocolate bars with fascinating and fabulous flavors such as Black Pepper Pistachio, Almond Sea Salt, Sunflower, Espresso and Marble. They are absolutely beautiful and would make a terrific gift or companion to a cup of coffee or after-dinner drink. I chose the Black Pepper Pistachio and Sweet & Spicy Pecan bar. It’s as though the spice is patiently waiting until your second bite. It’s difficult to describe, but the flavors are layered and arrive differently with each bite.

Packaging.
It seems like a small thing, but I believe this experience begins with the box. It’s simple, elegant and it’s clear; beautiful details are on display. It’s evident each piece is handmade—no paint or decals, just gorgeous rich, dark chocolate with lovely embellishments that have been placed by the hand of an artist who truly cares. Excellence is evident.

Gift Giving
As you begin thinking about holidays, consider giving Panache Chocolatiers chocolate to anyone and everyone! Chocolate-covered popcorn, dipped Oreos or chocolate flakes would delight any kiddo (or grownup) on your list. Corporate gifts are a breeze with the boxed sets and rather than bringing another bottle of wine to the host or hostess, surprise them with truffles. Maybe they will share, but don’t count on it!

Important Tip
Remember, Julie doesn’t use preservatives, so her back room is not stacked to the ceiling with boxes of chocolate ready to give. She’s going to wake up early and stay up late each day during the holiday season to make sure your gift is excellent. Get your orders in early!

Keep an eye out for Panache’s Seasonal Truffle Collection, available November 20. This is the third year Panache has collaborated with the Kansas City Ballet; the collaboration is based on their production for the year and a portion of sales will be donated to the Kansas City Ballet.

Have a Seat
Stop by the shop and see Julie; tell her you would like an iced mocha, you heard it’s made with her signature blend cacao and is the very best around. Order some heavenly bites and have a seat in the tasting room, relax and experience luxury, award-winning chocolate created by one of only two people who have ever achieved the honor of Grand Master Chocolatier for four consecutive years.

Choose Panache Chocolatier for your next girls’ night out, date night or afternoon “me time;” Panache chocolate is a celebration in itself.

Panache Chocolatier is located at 11555 Ash Street, Leawood, Kansas. Call 816-931-3191 or visit chocolatekc.com for more information.

Art director, illustrator and entrepreneur Sheryl Hammontree is happiest when creating. As a freelancer, she creates visual styling and targeted messaging to strategically solve challenges for clients. As the owner of Thoughtful Threads, she creates expressive apparel to empower people and build a community of kindness. Sheryl heads outside to find energy, inspiration and calm; whether in the garden or on a trail, her soul is fed by creating memories with her husband, Joel, family and friends.