Chocoholics - get inline!!!  You'll need to bid often to get this chocolate gift basket containing chocolate drizzled caramel corn, dark chocolate espresso beans, chocolate shapes, milk chocolate jumbo peanuts and chocolate dipped pretzel rods.

The Hot Chocolatier produces artisan chocolates and confections. Owners Wendy and Brandon Buckner strive to use only the freshest ingredients and local ingredients when possible. They handcraft all chocolates and confections in small batches to assure freshness. No artificial flavors or preservatives are used.

Wendy Buckner, the head chocolatier, graduated from the French Pastry School in Chicago, where she studied under some of the best pastry chefs in the country and a Master Chocolatier from Belgium. Her partner in life and business, Brandon Buckner, received a master's degree in painting and now teaches at UTC.

The Hot Chocolatier also specializes in creating one-of-a-kind chocolate sculptures for weddings and other events. Each sculpture is personalized for the couple or event theme.

The Hot Chocolatier offers a variety of chocolates and confections, with the favorites being hand-dipped truffles. The Hot Chocolatier also offers turtles and hand-dipped pretzel rods. The business will soon offer chocolate dipped coconut macaroons, homemade marshmallows, and hot sipping chocolates from blended chocolates and spices.

Visits to The Hot Chocolatier are by appointment. For more information, contact Wendy or Brandon Buckner at 423-266-3066 or see their website at www.thehotchocolatier.com.