Admit it. Paired together, “immersive” and “chocolate” are two words few of us can resist drooling over.

Now, after a successful virtual chocolate tasting series in March, the Savor series, the dreams of chocolate lovers across Texas are coming true as Austin-based Delysia Chocolatier launches Delight, a virtual Immersive Chocolate Experience series.

The new series launches August 29 with Wine a Little: Wine & Chocolate virtual pairing experience. Five more lip-smacking sessions follow, including October 28’s celebration of National Chocolate Day, Friendsgiving, a hands-on holiday party November 22 and Chocolate Gingerbread House DIY December 13. Rounding out the series is December 30th’s chocolate and Champagne pairing party.

Ahead of her latest program, we chatted with Chef-Owner and Chocolatier Nicole Patel the engineer turned chef who, in 2008, became the the first person in Texas to make truffles using local wines.

Who are the Delight experiences targeted at? Are they for connoisseurs only?

The new Delight experiences are perfect for all ages and knowledge levels. Even the novice chocolate taster will be delighted by not only the new chocolate flavors that they will experience, but also the chocolate knowledge they will obtain.

For example, our Introduction to Chocolate experience (October 28) will explain the basics and differences of each type of chocolate (white, milk and dark), as well as introduce the newest type — Ruby chocolate. We are the first chocolatier in the United States to handcraft chocolate truffles using Ruby chocolate, which has a flavor profile like no other chocolate on the market, presenting a natural pink hue and tart flavor profile.

Are any of the sessions suitable for families?

Heading into the holidays, we have a few perfect for the entire family, and kids especially. Our Chocolate Gingerbread House DIY and Christmas Cookie Exchange are the perfect hands-on experiences to get the entire family ready for the holidays. Our Chocolate Gingerbread House DIY experience will include a chocolate gingerbread house kit that we will build together virtually while reminiscing about our own personal holiday traditions, listening to seasonal music, and hosting a holiday trivia game. 

What is the difference between the Savor and the Delight tastings?

The focus of our Savor virtual tasting experiences is on the art of properly tasting chocolate, following our proprietary four-step process involving all your senses to better navigate and identify different flavor profiles in chocolate. Delight builds upon this programming and enhances it with more interactive, educational, and hands-on activities—all in a fun and virtual setting in the comfort of their home. 

Talk us through how the Wine a Little experience on August 29 will work.

Each of our Wine a Little: Wine & Chocolate virtual pairing experience tasting sets include four different chocolate truffles to experience, each to be paired with a different wine. We have highlighted only two of the flavors in the set on our ticket site so that our participants can be surprised and delighted by the remainder of our selections. 

We’ve also provided a recommended wine list to follow along during this event. Participants do not need to purchase wine in order to participate; they can pour a glass from something they already have at home.

Tickets are now available for the Delight Immersive Chocolate Experiences and other virtual tastings.

Delysia Chocolatier, 2000 Windy Terrace, Suite 2C, Austin, TX 78613

Cover photo courtesy Delysia Chocolatier

Julie Tereshchuk is the Editor-in-Chief of Texas Lifestyle Magazine and a milk chocolate devotee.