Food and Beverage
Ghirardelli Brings Back the Chocolocket for Valentine’s Day—Now Made for “Perfect Pairs”
Ghirardelli reintroduces the Chocolocket for Valentine’s Day 2026, featuring a pair designed for sharing. This limited edition celebrates all meaningful duos, emphasizing inclusive connections through chocolate and personalized gifting.
Last Updated on February 13, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Ghirardelli is putting a new spin on Valentine’s Day this year with the return of its viral limited-edition gift: the Chocolocket. The big twist for 2026? Each set includes two Chocolockets—built for sharing with your “perfect pair,” whether that’s your partner, your best friend, your sibling, or the coworker who keeps your week running.
The campaign centers on Perfect Pairs Day, a broader take on the holiday that celebrates the meaningful duos in our lives—romantic and not-so-romantic. Think: work besties, pickleball partners, brunch buddies, squadmates, travel twins, and more.
What is a Chocolocket?
If you missed the first wave, here’s the quick version: the Chocolocket is a custom-crafted 14K gold-plated locketdesigned to hold one mini GHIRARDELLI® SQUARES® inside. The keepsake is styled to resemble Ghirardelli’s iconic gold-foil wrapped SQUARES, turning a familiar candy shape into a wearable, giftable moment.
It’s part novelty, part collectible, and part snack—because yes, it’s literally designed to carry chocolate.
The “Perfect Pairs” idea (and why it works)
Ghirardelli is leaning into a simple truth: the best moments are usually shared. In the brand’s words, the Chocolocket is meant as a playful tribute to the people who make life sweeter—whether that’s a romantic partner or the friend who always shows up.
Bobby Oliver, Ghirardelli’s VP of Marketing, framed it as a celebration of all kinds of connections—best friends, siblings, coworkers, and couples—tying the message back to a classic pairing: chocolate and caramel.
The result is a Valentine’s concept that feels less like a single-lane “couples only” holiday and more like an invitation to include the people who actually fill your calendar.
What comes in the 2026 set
This year’s edition launches as a matching pair of Chocolockets—one for you, one for your person. Each set includes:
- Two Chocolockets (a matching pair)
- A bag of mini Ghirardelli SQUARES® to enjoy together
- A heart-shaped tin
- A personalized message celebrating your “perfect pair” category (examples include Soulmates, Work Besties, Pickleball Partners, Brunch Buddies, Dinner Dates, Squadmates, Travel Twins, and more)
- Shipping included
It’s also limited to one set per household, which signals this is meant to stay in “special drop” territory.
Release date + where to buy
The limited-edition Chocolocket set will be available starting February 10 at Chocolocket.com, while supplies last.
For updates, Ghirardelli is directing fans to follow @Ghirardelli on Instagram and TikTok.
A quick refresher on Ghirardelli
Founded in San Francisco in 1852, Ghirardelli is known for its premium chocolate and its bean-to-bar approach. The company emphasizes control over the full process—from cocoa sourcing through production—using a proprietary bean blend and specific roasting/processing methods.
In other words: the brand’s long-standing quality story is still the backbone, even when the product is a playful, social-media-friendly collectible.
Bottom line
The Chocolocket’s return isn’t just a Valentine’s gimmick—it’s a smart “shareable” product idea that matches how people actually celebrate: with the person who feels like the right fit, whatever the label.
If you’re the type who likes limited drops, keepsakes, or gifts that come with a built-in story, this one’s worth watching when it goes live on February 10.
Related External Links
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Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
SOURCE Ghirardelli
Cool Down This Summer with a Sweet Slushie
(Family Features) Each season throughout the year seems to
have its own “flavor,” and summer is no exception. Hamburgers and hot dogs off
the grill, refreshing watermelon at snack time and cool, delicious ice cream on
warm evenings.
While many people think of sweetpotatoes during the
holidays, you can make this sweet vegetable a key ingredient all year-round –
including summertime. As one of the most versatile veggies you can find,
they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing flavor and boosting
nutrition content.
Sweetpotatoes can be your summer staple in both simple and
elevated recipes alike, as well as in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be
cooked or prepared in several ways: on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled or
slow cooked.
Or, for an easy way to cool down in the heat, try them in a
creamy drink like this Sweetpotato Summer Slushie. It may surprise you, but
sweetpotatoes are ideal for sipping – smoothies and cocktails are both
crowd-pleasers, especially during sweltering summer days. This refreshing treat
can be made with or without the boozy kick; just break out the blender and kick
back in the sunshine.
To discover more ways to cook and enjoy sweetpotatoes all
summer long, visit ncsweetpotatoes.com.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5xyuKDlklQ?si=JiKNgtk78Vc8NiMU&controls=0]
Recipe courtesy of the North
Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
- 1 cup cooked,
mashed North
Carolina Sweetpotatoes - 1 cup
pineapple juice - 1/2 cup orange
juice - 1/4 cup lemon
juice - 1/4 cup coconut
milk - 2-3 tablespoons
simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste) - 1 teaspoon
vanilla extract - 2 cups crushed
ice - 2 ounces
spiced rum, coconut rum or bourbon (optional) - pineapple
slices or orange wedges, for garnish (optional)
- In blender, blend sweetpotatoes, pineapple juice, orange
juice, lemon juice, coconut milk, simple syrup or honey, vanilla extract and
ice until smooth and slushy. - Pour into glasses and serve.
- For alcoholic version: Add spiced rum, coconut rum or
bourbon after blending. Pulse in blender or stir after blending for layered
effect. - Garnish with pineapple slices or orange wedges, if desired.
SOURCE:
Food and Beverage
McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie Returns June 23—A Limited-Time Summer Throwback
McDonald’s is bringing back its OG Fried Apple Pie starting June 23 for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide—plus a 35-foot pie photo stop on Route 66 near Chicago.
Summer tends to fly by, but certain bites slow time down. McDonald’s is betting its Fried Apple Pie is one of them.
According to a new announcement from McDonald’s USA, the OG Fried Apple Pie returns to participating restaurants nationwide starting June 23 for a limited time. The classic dessert is described as featuring a signature filling made with 100% American-grown apples, wrapped in the same golden, crunchy, flaky fried crust longtime fans remember.
Why the Fried Apple Pie comeback matters
McDonald’s is framing the return as a nostalgia play with a patriotic twist, tying the seasonal rollout to the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday. If you grew up hearing people talk about “the fried pies,” this is the moment they mean: hot, sweet, and unmistakably old-school.
And if you’ve never tried it? McDonald’s is positioning June 23 as your entry point—an “if you know, you know” menu item that’s meant to feel like a summer memory in dessert form.
A classic that started as a family recipe
The company also shared a bit of origin story: the Fried Apple Pie traces back to the 1960s, when East Tennessee McDonald’s Owner/Operator Litton Cochran created a fried apple hand pie that became a local favorite. Over time, it made its way into McDonald’s history.
Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s Owner/Operator, said the pie is one of those foods that “take you back,” and credited his grandparents—Litton and Jo Cochran—with helping shape the recipe when McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was looking for a dessert that would resonate with customers.
The 35-foot Fried Apple Pie (yes, really)
To make the return feel like a road-trip moment, McDonald’s is also unveiling a giant roadside installation: The McDonald’s Largest Fried Apple Pie, a 35-foot version of the dessert placed along Route 66—built to be a photo stop.
Fans can snap a selfie and pick up a McDonald’s souvenir map at:
- 920 N Broadway St., Joliet, IL 60435 (just outside Chicago)
If you’re near Chicagoland, here are the dates
- Kickoff event (June 23): 3:30–6:00 p.m. CT, with live music, an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and complimentary Arch Cards
- June 23–July 4: The installation remains up through the holiday stretch
How to get it
McDonald’s says the Fried Apple Pie will be available all day at participating restaurants nationwide, and can also be ordered via the McDonald’s App, while supplies last.If your summer plans include a long drive, a late-night snack run, or just chasing a little nostalgia, June 23 might be the date to circle. Some menu items are built for convenience—this one is built for the detour.
Related
Source
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Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans
Pair Summer Favorites with a Simple
Potato Salad
(Family Features) Ideal for
neighborhood cookouts, quick family dinners and anything in between, potato
salad is a tried-and-true summer favorite. This version from Cookin’ Savvy
comes together in a snap so you can spend more time enjoying the sun and less
time in the kitchen. Pair this easy potato salad with more warm-weather recipe
inspiration found at Culinary.net.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhUIPGWfbrw?si=UJ2zY8g_aHMcWTsV&controls=0]
Potato Salad
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 3 pounds
potatoes - 4 boiled
eggs, coarsely chopped - 2 dill
pickles - 1 tablespoon
garlic powder - 1 tablespoon
onion powder - 1 package
(2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces - 2 cups
mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons
mustard - salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- smoked paprika, for garnish
- Coarsely chop potatoes. In Dutch
oven, boil until fork tender. Drain then add coarsely chopped eggs and pickles. - Add garlic powder, onion powder,
bacon pieces, mayonnaise and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Mix well. - Transfer to large bowl and
refrigerate 1-2 hours. Garnish with smoked paprika.
SOURCE:
Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans
Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans
