People
like to ask me why I decided to become a chocolatier. Here is my story.
After
retiring early from the corporate world in 1998, I explored
different hobbies. I earned my private pilot license
(my mother was one of the first US women pilots in World
War II), I practiced my golf swing, I collected art,
I traveled. Then I began to ask myself how I could challenge
myself on a greater scope. I
enjoy fine cuisine, and love very, very good chocolate.
Combining that enjoyment with my need to learn and grow,
I began to study artisanal chocolate. I found myself
in a world of taste as sophisticated and complex as that
of fine wines. I had found my passion.
The
more I learned—first drawing on past visits and
new tours of countries with celebrated chocolate traditions,
next studying chocolate making, and then apprenticing
myself to a master chocolatier—the more I challenged
myself to create the finest artisanal chocolates imaginable.
Equipped
with my research and training, and confident in my business
skills from my successful corporate career, I founded
Chocolat Céleste.
From the beginning, I decided to use only fresh ingredients
from local farms (organic, when possible); imported European
chocolate, sourced from the best cacao growers in the world;
and never, ever any preservatives. The result: extraordinarily
flavorful artisanal chocolates of a caliber usually available
only by direct shipment from Europe.
Sharing
the finer things in life with friends and colleagues has
always been a joyful and deeply memorable experience for
me. It is my hope that your epicurean journey will include
Chocolat Céleste for years to come.
Mary Leonard
CEO and Chocolatier
 |
Passion
Chocolat
Céleste creates chocolate delicacies for the
connoisseur.
Our
award-winning truffles and gifts are based on devotion
to artistic presentation and flavor perfection. Every
day, our chocolatiers craft each piece using the finest
ingredients. We use premium European chocolate made from “first
cut” cacao beans from around the world. And we continually
search for rare and emerging cacao estates from which we
can source. To this foundation, we introduce the best ingredients:
fresh artisanal cream and butter; and the marketplace's
finest liqueurs, nuts, fruits and spices.
The
secret to our success is allowing the natural flavor notes
to take center stage. We never use preservatives.
Elegance
Perhaps
it's a dinner party...or a gesture of appreciation for
a job well done. For every occasion, our elegant
gift boxes of rich, gourmet chocolates awaken the connoisseur
within. Each bite is infused with a delicate swirl
of sweet, savory and fruity tones that melt in a rich foundation
of chocolate. Like fine wine, our European style
truffles inspire conversation and camaraderie.
Convey
your passion for excellence with Chocolat Céleste.
Give important people in your life an extraordinary chocolate
experience they will remember. |
