Wow!  THE ESSENCE OF CHOCOLATE is far more than a cookbook.  The book starts with an extensive look into how chocolate is made.  The authors have plenty of knowledge in the subject, both helped create the luscious chocolate produced by Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker. 

There are many recipes included in this book.  The history of chocolate blends nicely with a variety of recipes geared towards the chocoholic such as Chocolate Martinis, Chocolate liqueur, Scotch Truffle Hearts, and Molten cakes.  If chocolate is not your passion, there are still recipes that will awaken your taste buds like Three-Bean Chili and Chili-Marinated Flank Steak.  

THE ESSENCE OF CHOCOLATE is a book suited to cooks and chocolate lovers alike.  I can totally account for the recipe for chocolate liqueur, my friend and I couldn't find my bottle of vodka, so we cut the sugar and make it with McGillicuddy's instead--delicious!  The beautiful photographs blend nicely with the variety of recipes and detailed discussion into the formation of chocolate.