Food and Beverage
Seattle Chocolate Evolves into Maeve: A Bold New Era for Ethical, Joyful Chocolate
SEATTLE /PRNewswire/ — After more than 30 years as a beloved name in ethical chocolate, Seattle Chocolate is embracing an exciting transformation into Maeve – a bold, joyful brand that embodies imagination, flavor, and impact. While the name is new, Maeve remains deeply committed to its core mission: empowering women, supporting cocoa farmers, and crafting deliciously fun chocolate.
The transformation began as a conversation between Seattle Chocolate Owner and CEO Jean Thompson and her daughter and Seattle Chocolate Brand Manager Ellie Thompson – a shared vision to expand beyond Seattle while staying true to the company’s roots. What started as an idea quickly became a reality, as the duo realized the potential of their small-but-mighty chocolate brand to resonate with a new generation of chocolate lovers nationwide.
Inspired by the legendary Irish warrior queen, Maeve represents strength, boldness, and a fearless approach to chocolate. The rebrand gives consumers a chocolate experience that is ethical, delicious, and fun.
Maeve Chocolate
“Maeve represents everything we’ve always stood for—transparency, joy, and making a meaningful impact through chocolate,” says Jean Thompson, Owner and CEO of Seattle Chocolate Company.
“Maeve isn’t just a new name; it’s a new energy. We’re bringing excitement to chocolate in a way that feels fresh, imaginative, and fun,” says Ellie Thompson, Maeve Brand Manager. “We have always believed that a little treat can have a big impact, and with Maeve, we’re making that impact bigger than ever.”
To bring Maeve to life, the brand partnered with independent brand and packaging studio, Young Jerks creating a whimsical world of imagination and flavor. Inspired by quirky characters like Greg Glitter, Cheryl the Forest Nymph, and Pinkbeard the Pirate, Maeve’s creations invite consumers to experience conscientious, craft chocolate light-heartedly and transport them to otherworldly realms where every treat is a delightful journey.
“We wanted to redefine what a premium chocolate company can be,” says Dan Cassaro and Dan Christofferson, partners and Creative Directors of Young Jerks. “Big silly ideas, immersive visual storytelling, and copy that speaks in a tone usually reserved for your close friends.”
At the heart of Maeve is a commitment to sourcing chocolate responsibly and supporting the farmers who grow it. The company directly sources from farmers in Ghana, Peru, Tanzania, and the Dominican Republic ensuring fair pay and long-term sustainability. Where direct sourcing isn’t available, Maeve proudly sources Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. Knowing chocolate can make a difference, 10% of Maeve’s net profits fund projects to improve the lives of cocoa farmers – from digging wells for fresh water, to funding savings and loan programs, planting seedlings to protect the future of cocoa, and more.
Since its founding in 1991, Seattle Chocolate has been known for its signature melt-in-your-mouth Truffle Bars and Bonbons. Now, with Maeve, the brand is inviting consumers to experience a dazzling array of fun flavors in vibrant packaging. Creamy and crunchy, sweet and salty bliss, blackberries and rich dark chocolate slow-dancing in the moonlight…and that’s just the beginning. Maeve’s Dark Chocolate Medley and Maeve Loves You Bonbon box were recently announced as finalists for the 2025 NEXTY Awards for the Planet-Forward Product and Sweet Snacks and Desserts categories.
Maeve’s delectable Truffle Bars in flavors like Magical Mint, San Juan Salted Toffee, Nutbutter Pretzel ($6.50), and Bonbons in Creme Brulee Crackle, Pink Bubbly, Blackberry Bramble and more (starting at $14.50 per bunch) are available to shop online at maevechocolate.com and soon at retailers nationwide, including World Market and Sprouts Farmers Market.
For more information, meet Maeve at maevechocolate.com or follow along on @maevechocolate.
SOURCE Seattle Chocolate Company
Food and Beverage
Chili’s Drops a $6 “Bombshell Margarita” for July — Here’s What to Know
Chili’s is rolling out its July Margarita of the Month: the $6 Bombshell Margarita, available nationwide through July 31. Here’s what’s in it, where to find it, and what fans can expect from the limited-time menu drop.
Chili’s® is leaning into peak summer energy with a new July Margarita of the Month that feels tailor-made for group chats, watch parties, and post-episode booth debriefs. The chain’s Bombshell Margarita is available nationwide through July 31 for $6, positioning it as an easy, low-commitment add-on to a casual night out.
Inspired by the buzz of reality TV’s summer romances and the “did you see that?” conversations that follow, Chili’s is framing the drink as part of the moment—not just a seasonal menu item.
What’s in the Bombshell Margarita?
According to the company, the Bombshell Marg is a bright, sweet-and-citrusy mix built around:
- el Jimador® Blanco Tequila
- Monin® Dragonfruit
- Triple sec
- Strawberry puree
- House-made sour
The drink also comes with a custom “Bombshell vs. OG” swizzle stick (while supplies last), adding a playful, collectible touch that fits the theme.
Why Chili’s is tying it to pop culture
Chili’s says it’s seeing guests use its booths as the place to unpack the season’s biggest storylines—especially the romance-and-drama kind.
“We know our guests are breaking down the drama of the summer’s biggest romances with their friends, often sitting around booths right here at Chili’s,” said George Felix, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Brinker International. “The Bombshell Marg is a fun way for us to recognize that passion and be part of the conversation in a way only we can — serving a great, affordable margarita.”
The bigger strategy: Margarita of the Month momentum
The Bombshell Marg is the latest entry in Chili’s long-running Margarita of the Month lineup. The brand reports it served nearly 30 million margaritas in 2025, and the monthly drops are designed to stay culturally relevant—pulling from trending flavors, seasonality, and whatever people are talking about right now.
For guests who track each release, Chili’s also promotes its Margarita of the Month Club at chilis.com/motmclub, where members can collect digital stickers, build streaks, and shop limited merch.
Merch drop: “I got a marg!” tank top
As part of the July rollout, Chili’s is also releasing a Bombshell-themed “I got a marg!” tank top, available July 1 at welcometochilis.com (while supplies last).
How to get the $6 Bombshell Marg
The Bombshell Margarita of the Month is available at participating Chili’s locations nationwide for $6 through July 31. Guests must be 21+ to purchase or consume alcohol.
For more information or to find a participating location, visit chilis.com.
About Chili’s Grill & Bar
Chili’s® Grill & Bar, founded in 1975, is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). The company operates 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories, with more than 70,000 team members.
Chili’s is known for Big Mouth Burgers®, Crispy Chicken Crispers®, and sizzling fajitas, and the brand says it hand-shakes more margaritas than any other restaurant brand in the U.S. Chili’s also notes it has raised more than $120 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital over more than 20 years.For media inquiries, contact media.requests@brinker.com
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Food and Beverage
Support Your Brain with a Peanut-Powered Snack
Peanut-Powered Snack: Young or old, all can benefit from giving the brain a healthy boost. Emerging nutritional science makes it clear that good cognitive function goes beyond mental exercises as food can help shape memory, mood and cognitive health.
Support Your Brain with a Peanut-Powered Snack
(Feature Impact) Young or old, all can benefit from giving the brain a healthy boost. Emerging nutritional science makes it clear that good cognitive function goes beyond mental exercises as food can help shape memory, mood and cognitive health.
A study published the “Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease” found adults 60-80 years old who did not eat peanuts and peanut butter regularly were 30-50% more likely to perform poorly on tests measuring learning, memory, language, processing motor speed and attentiveness compared to those who did consumer peanuts and peanut butter. Additionally, research published in “Clinical Nutrition” highlighted a study of college students ages 18-33 which showed consumption of peanuts and peanut butter was associated with improved memory function and decreased anxiety, depression and stress.
Peanut butter is the key ingredient in these Protein Balls, a snack time favorite with a pinch of protein that serves as a perfect pick-me-up after a day in the office or following your favorite workout routine.
Despite their small stature, peanuts pack a nutrition punch. Their unique blend of various vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds includes:
- Niacin, which can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to the “Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry”
- Vitamin E, found to promote healthy brain aging and delay cognitive decline
- Resveratrol, believed to be beneficial in fighting against Alzheimer’s disease and other nerve degenerating diseases, per the “Journal of Biological Chemistry”
- P-coumaric acid, an antioxidant that appears to target the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, stress and anxiety
To find more ways to support your brain with the right nutrition, visit GAPeanuts.com.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
Protein Balls
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 24
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried, chopped cranberries
- 1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Using stand mixer, combine peanut butter, vanilla, honey, quick oats, flaxseed, coconut, cranberries, salt and water; mix until well combined.
- Form dough into 1-ounce portions and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional information per serving: 130 calories, 7 g fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 2 g fiber, 60 mg sodium.
SOURCE:
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Food and Beverage
Easy, Restaurant-Worthy Meals for Busy Days
Restaurant-Worthy Meals: When life gets busy, your home should be a place of reprieve, not extra stress – and that includes your kitchen. In seasons like this, rather than waiting for a table at your favorite restaurant or standing in line for takeout, turn to quick, easy recipes like this Garlic Parmesan Rice and Shrimp Skillet or Egg Roll in a Bowl.
(Feature Impact) When life gets busy, your home should be a place of reprieve, not extra stress – and that includes your kitchen. If you’re juggling work, chores, errands, hobbies, studies, a social life, caretaking or the other million-and-one things keeping your schedule full right now, the idea of spending an hour putting together a home-cooked meal might sound exhausting or downright impossible.
In seasons like this, rather than waiting for a table at your favorite restaurant or standing in line for takeout, turn to quick, easy recipes that offer nutritional balance and don’t skimp on flavor. By using pre-seasoned Minute Rice Cups – like the new, crave-worthy Garlic Parmesan to satisfy comfort cravings and Veggie Stir-Fry that lets you enjoy the flavor of takeout without the wait – you can have a flavorful base for your meals ready in 1 minute. You won’t even have to pull out the rice cooker or go scrounging in the spice cabinet.
If you’re craving a savory, cheesy dinner, this high-protein Garlic Parmesan Rice and Shrimp Skillet, ready in only 6 minutes, is an ideal choice for busy home chefs searching for that elusive balance between simple and sophisticated. Plus, the recipe can easily be adapted to your household’s tastes; try tossing some spinach or chickpeas into the skillet or swapping the shrimp for chicken or tofu.
To enjoy takeout flavors without the trip, opt for this restaurant-inspired Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe. Savor the umami notes of soy sauce and enjoy the convenience of tender onions, carrots and peas mixed into the stir-fry rice cup that forms the base of your meal. The toppings are what give this recipe its deconstructed egg roll vibe: flavorful sauteed cabbage joins crunchy wonton strips and a protein of choice for a bowl that comes together in just 20 minutes.
For more meal ideas to keep you going when life is moving quickly, visit MinuteRice.com.
Garlic Parmesan Rice and Shrimp Skillet
Prep time: 1 minute
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1-2
- 1 Minute Garlic Parmesan Rice Cup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- lemon wedges, for garnish (optional)
- Heat rice according to package directions.
- In medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shrimp to skillet and cook until pink, about 3 minutes. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- In same skillet, add rice, lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and heat through, 1 minute. Return shrimp and stir to combine.
- Garnish with parsley. Squeeze lemon wedge over top, if desired, and serve.
Substitution: Use sauteed mushrooms or crispy tofu to make vegetarian.
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 18 minutes
Servings: 2
- 1 Minute Veggie Stir-Fry Rice Cup
- 1/2 pound ground turkey or pork
- 1 cup coleslaw mix
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 cup fried wonton strips
- 2 tablespoons sweet and sour sauce
- Heat rice according to package directions.
- In large pan, cook meat over medium heat 10 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
- Add coleslaw, garlic, soy sauce, ginger and sesame oil to pan. Cook 8 minutes, or until coleslaw is softened. Add rice during final 4 minutes.
- Top with wonton strips, drizzle sweet and sour sauce and serve.
Tip: To add more vegetables, try mushrooms, bell peppers, snap peas or green onions. For extra spice, drizzle on sriracha or hot sauce of choice.
SOURCE:
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