Need a batch of tiny basketball shoes in which to serve sorbet? How about bunnies, blimps, boxing gloves or banana boats?
Chocolates Ala Carte, a California chocolatier run by Rena Pocrass, can fill the bill. In the last couple of years, the company has created miniature chocolate dessert molds for some of Chicago`s swankiest soirees.
”About 90 percent of what we do are custom designs,” says Pocrass, who recently delivered an order of bite-size Sears Towers for an architectural firm`s annual party. ”We get called for some really off-the-wall things.”
Pocrass hires trained artisans, rather than people with backgrounds in food, to sculpt the prototypes.
Chocolates Ala Carte has created a fleet of riverboat molds, which were filled with whiskey for an Opryland party in Nashville, mini-grand pianos for a dinner honoring the late Leonard Bernstein and chocolate Chryslers for Lee Iacocca. One of their most intricate creations depicted a snake charmer with a flute sitting in front of a basket.
”People like presentation,” says Pocrass. ”You can take a simple ice cream or mousse and do something novel, add something really elegant, and people respond.”
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Pocrass generally contracts wholesale with caterers-George Jewell is one steady Chicago customer-or hotels, such as the Fairmont. But for Valentine`s Day, the company is selling a package of five heart molds for $25, including air freight. To order, call 818-786-7440 or write for a catalog from Chocolates Ala Carte, Suite 218, 16760 Stagg St., Van Nuys, Calif. 91406.