Anne LapourEvery day she’s truffling…
Valentine’s Day is upon us, and thank goodness Truffle Shuffle Salem is ready and waiting to up your chocolate game. Conceived and launched in 2019, Truffle Shuffle is the brainchild of Shauna Hodges—Salemite and all-around delightful human.
A fully self-taught cook, Shauna grew up surrounded by a family of foodies and equipped with endless curiosity. She worked as a server in restaurants for years—until she finally scored the chance to start making desserts for the masses. That was the beginning of a career as a cook and food obsessive. And though her skills in the kitchen reach far beyond chocolate, Shauna has found a niche in creating uniquely crafted truffles here in the Salem community.
Shauna finds inspiration in diverse sources: local coffee shops, wineries, global cuisine, and even the occasional cocktail. She perfects her product in the kitchen she runs at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church here in Salem. In between meals she serves to a hungry congregation, Shauna tinkers with flavors and experiments with new combinations. She modifies cream or the chocolate itself, infusing each with spices, herbs, liqueurs, coffee, or fruit. Her process ensures complexity and nuance in each joyful, unexpected, and tasty bite.
When I met Shauna to talk truffles, she arrived prepared with a pristine and adorable box of chocolates. The selection featured five flavors, some of which are standbys, and others new creations. I indulged in one of each, but three lingered in my memory longest. The “blue coriander,” a blend of blueberry and coriander, manages to be herbal and light all at the same time. Her mole truffle is a bit like Mexican hot cocoa—if it had a pleasantly spicy kick. And the “chili cardamom fig” with a savory edge that just needs a glass of wine to pair with for the perfect nightcap. Shauna also makes “creams” filled with flavored cream or goat cheese, in combinations like raspberry pistachio and the “Elvis”—a tribute to the King’s penchant for banana and peanut butter.
Shauna is intentional and loyal when it comes to her ingredients, sourcing as locally as possible. She feels a kinship with the people “who believed in me before I believed in me,” she said. It’s this spirit that drives her frequent collaborations with fellow Salem businesses such as Fauning over Flora, Furbish and Salem on the Edge—where you’ll find her truffles at the opening of this year’s Erotica exhibit.
Should you be on the hunt for a Valentine’s Day gift (or any other occasion), you can’t go wrong with truffles. “Experiences make the best gifts,” Shauna said, and her truffles are just that—an experience to be shared, enjoyed, and savored.
Place your order at truffleshufflesalem.com
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 19 (Spring 2024)
