Last Father’s Day, a pair of siblings decided to surprise their dad with something more original than a pair of socks: They gave their father a crash course in everyone’s favorite indulgence - a private chocolate tasting in San Francisco hosted by Lisa Rogovin.

“Most people don’t realize there is a difference between a chocolate maker and a confectioner,” says the San Francisco-based founder of In the Kitchen with Lisa. “A chocolate maker begins with the cacao bean and ends up with the finished product, usually a bar, while a confectioner is someone who melts bars, then adds cream and other ingredients to create their edible works of art.”

Rogovin’s private tasting included everything you need to know to become a chocolate connoisseur, plus a scrumptious sampling of chocolates and confections made by the Bay Area’s finest artisans, including E. Guittard, Scharffen Berger, Recchiuti Confections and Charles Chocolates.

But chocolate is just one kind of “culinary excursion” offered by the enterprising epicurean, who launched In the Kitchen with Lisa in 2004 while working at Gourmet magazine. Today she works full-time creating custom tasting and shopping excursions, priced from $75 to $250, that educate her clients about how to chose and appreciate the seasonal and local food culture.

The excursions begin in San Francisco’s Ferry Building, which was transformed into a high-end farmer’s market in 2003. “People learn how to make better produce choices,” says Rogovin, “and how to choose what’s in season, riper and more flavorful.” The market features not only the freshest produce, but fine coffees, chocolates and organic cheeses.

To experience first-hand how food makes the trip from farm to table -and why fresh, local ingredients are vital - many clients choose to pair their market excursions with lunch at one of San Francisco’s fine restaurants, which Rogovin turns into your own intimate classroom. Groups of 10-16 people can attend Rogovin’s “Shop, Cook, Eat & Drink” excursion. Participants shop the market with a top local chef then head back to the chef’s restaurant for an intimate cooking session followed by eating, drinking and merry making.

On August 10 - 14, join Lisa Rogovin and her highly accomplished husband Josh Zander, recently recognized as a “Top-20 Teacher Under 40″ and frequent contributor to Golf Digest magazine, for a Gourmet Golf Getaway of a lifetime! Enjoy world class golf instruction, historic golf venues, insider San Francisco food experiences, and wonderful accommodations at the brand new Lodge at Cavallo Point in Sausalito. With Lisa and Josh sharing their expertise and their passion for food and golf, you will gain an improved game and delicious memories of San Francisco’s culinary Mecca. To register for this getaway, or book your own custom culinary excursion with Lisa, e-mail her through her web site.

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