There are a good number of local chocolate companies around here, most specialize in chocolate bars, many have dairy free options. But my favorite find in the last couple years is Bad Girl Chocolates. These chocolates are AMAZING, in particular the truffles, and not only that, a lot of them are vegan (ie. dairy free so I can eat them, yay!). My favourites so far are the pomegranate truffle, and the the chai truffle (which I don't think is actually available anymore), but the five-spice is also really good.

Bad Girl Chocolates are handmade by local gal, Kelly Boyd, a graduate of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, and it shows in some of her more unusual combinations, such as the hot chocolate truffle, which has a hint of cayenne in it, the stout truffle which actually contains Guiness, and the olive oil truffle, which she explained at last weekend's farmers market, has a very mild taste but an incredible texture.

Kelly frequently sells her chocolates at local farmer's markets (see eatlocal.org for schedules), and many holiday markets (dates are listed on her site) and she also does mail order through the site.

If you a chocolate lover, it's well worth tracking her down and investing in some of the best chocolates you'll ever eat!