Chef Phillip Ashley Rix, who was featured as a Black Enterprise Modern Man and has been dubbed the “King of Chocolates,” has been named the official chocolatier of the 58th Annual Grammy Awards Gift Lounge. Ashley’s exclusive 23-karat gold salted caramel pecan praline will also be a featured parting gift for guests of the Grammy celebration.
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“I am excited to
showcase my 23-karat golden praline and be a part of the official Grammy celebration,” Rix said in a statement. “It really is an honor, and I am happy to be given the opportunity to show off my newest creation at such a prestigious event.â€Rix handcrafts the pralines using couverture, a high-quality chocolate that has a large percentage of cocoa butter, roasted Mississippi Delta pecans and Fleur de Sel. Each praline will have gold leaf and a shell finished with 23-karat gold dust. At 25 grams, each piece retails for $79 making the delectable, luxe treat one of the most expensive chocolates on the market.
“I have tried many chocolates in my lifetime … many of which claim to be the best, finest, or most delicious. Those superlatives do, in fact, apply to Phillip Ashley Chocolates! So I am thrilled that official Grammy
celebration guests will be going home with this sweetest of treats at the end of music’s biggest night,†said Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, the company that selects vendors for the Grammys, in a statement.For 16 years, the company has selected vendors and provided them with the opportunity to present their products/services to presenters and performers in either a pre-assembled gift bag or through representation in the interactive backstage gift lounge.
Self-trained in chocolate, Rix went from a 10-year career in corporate and international sales to being named one of the best chocolatiers and confectioners in America by TasteTV. He’s created more than 50 designer chocolates and is renowned for his imaginative flavors including his bacon caramel shortbread, gorgonzola dolce apricot, and even barbecue treats.
The 58th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on the CBS Network, Feb. 15.