Saratoga Chocolates; Saratoga, Calif.; saratogachocolates.com

Saratoga Chocolates, a tiny storefront surrounded by antique shops and upscale restaurants in the small town of Saratoga, Calif., opened its doors in November 2005. Chocolatier Mary Loomas, a former comptroller at Intel, took up chocolate making as a hobby four years ago. She signed up for a three-month class and then a week of intensive study at the prestigious École Chocolat in France.

Loomas offers a basic course covering truffle making: melting, tempering, making ganache and dipping. For those who can't get enough (and who can?), she also offers Basics II: molded chocolates, filled chocolates and chocolate-covered fruit. Each costs $100, with a 10 percent discount for enrolling in both. Everyone leaves with detailed instructions for chocolate making at home. --Fawn Fitter