Friends #19 Live On As A Namesake Of A Literary Character

Are YOU the Lucky One?

I was shopping one afternoon and stopped by Godiva to pick up some Valentine gifts.  I have to say, the Godiva Valentine boxes are so beautifully designed and of course the chocolates- so decadent!  What a family business! Over 75 years ago, the Draps family began a small praline-making business out of their home in Brussels, Belgium. The company was called Chocolaterie Draps until Joseph Draps decided he wanted to produce a more exclusive chocolate and opened up a chocolate shop naming it after Lady Godiva. Oh my!

While shopping, I noticed a book by Nicholas Sparks perched upon the counter at the boutique. I engaged in conversation with the store manager and was informed of the unique partnership they have created between them and Sparks’ upcoming movie The Lucky One.  It’s called The Sweetest Story Ever Told Sweepstakes.

Get a load of this…Godiva is awarding one LUCKY person a chance to meet Nicholas Sparks, win a trip to the red carpet movie premiere of The Lucky One, receive a complete autographed set of all 17 Sparks’ love stories, receive a year’s worth of GODIVA chocolates and…live on as the namesake of a literary character in Sparks’ next novel!  How creative- Go Godiva!  I just loved the idea of this sweepstakes!  Oh yah…and one hundred first prize winners will each receive an autographed copy of Nicholas Sparks’ The Lucky One and a box of GODIVA chocolates.  You gotta give it a try…why not? I did…let me know if you win!  Click here for more details and to enter.  Hurry up though…Ends 2/14.

Godiva File Photo 2012

If you are not the winner for that sweepstakes, you can win monthly at Godiva by enjoying one of their scrumptious chocolates for FREE! Sign up for their rewards program and in addition to your chocolate treat once a month, they offer free gifts with purchase, free standard shipping and exclusives monthly.

After you are all signed up- go crazy in chocolate land!

I thought it would be neat to host a few couples over at the house and do a wine and chocolate pairing. Godiva recommends pairing large bars with wines, but I have done tastings in wineries with chips as well. If you are short on time, swing by Godiva Boutique with your girlfriends and make your own chocolate covered Strawberries…maybe even bring your own champagne?  Your never know, you may just run into one of Godivas favorite chefs, Duff Goldman.  Who doesn’t love this guy?  Chef Duff hosted Godivas’ SWEET event at the NYC Wine and Food Festival, where he and other Godiva Chefs melted all Godivas’ chocolate.

Lastly, I salute Godiva for partnering with The Culinary Institute of America, to fund several scholarships for students in the pastry & confection program.  They truly are making a difference one dreamy bite at a time.

By the way, Draps selected the name Godiva for his chocolate company for many good reasons. His inspiration came from the well-known Saxon legend of Lady Godiva who rode unclothed through the streets of Coventry to entreat her husband, Leofric the Dane, to lower taxes. Her courage prevailed, and in Europe she was celebrated in countless works of art. Little did Joseph Draps realize that over time his chocolate would become as legendary as the lady herself.

Note: This is not a paid advertisement spot, though it really reads that way…this is just the result of when someone feeds me good chocolate.