WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Grace Under Fire

Burlington, Vermont - June 4, 2010

Inside Lake Champlain Chocolates' Burlington factory, Grace Potter pulls on a white jumpsuit and dons a hair net for her new, one-day role making chocolate. She and fellow rock musician Matt Burr are the new cooks in the kitchen. "I'm not doing as good as I should!" Potter chuckles as she learns to temper chocolate.

Potter and Burr are more comfortable on stage. The Vermont-based performers behind Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are rocking the music world, and now, expanding into candy. "Well, I started cooking as a kid," Potter remembers.

The group has partnered with Jim Lampman's Lake Champlain Chocolates. "She's got some food experience. I like it," Lampman says, observing Potter in the kitchen. "She's got some moves!"

The company and band's duet is called Grace Under Fire. The "fire" comes from an unusual ingredient. "There's a million chocolate bars out there," points out Potter. "But have you ever heard of a pistachio pepper flake chocolate bar? I haven't."

Crushed red pepper flakes give the dark chocolate the kick you'd expect from a rock music-inspired candy, along with nuts and hints of vanilla and cinnamon. "It's my dream come true in chocolate!" the rocker beams. Burr chuckles, "A Hall of Famer!"

Potter and Burr promise the pepper isn't as scary as it may sound , and served me a sample of the new treat. The flavors hit you in layers: first the salt from the pistachios, then the cinnamon, and the slightest bite of pepper after you swallow.

"They were interested in the product," says product development manager Eric Lampman. "Not just putting their name on something, but they were really part of this whole process."

Lake Champlain Chocolates hopes the $5 Grace Under Fire bar will help the brand find new customers: music fans from across the country who may not have tried the "Made in Vermont" chocolate. "It's something a little different, and challenged us to do a little more. It was kind of rejuvenating for a lot of us," Eric Lampman says.

The Nocturnals will keep their day job and let the pros handle the manufacturing after the product launch. Grace Under Fire is available starting June 8th at Lake Champlain Chocolates' three Vermont stores and online.

Click here to visit the band's website.

Click here to visit the chocolate company's website.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont