Joseph Schmidt Confections

Joseph Schmidt Confections is a San Francisco-based chocolatier, which produces gourmet confections using imported Belgian chocolate. The current line of confections includes large, mini and petit truffles, Slicks, and Mosaics.

History

Early

Joseph Schmidt Confections was started in 1983 in San Francisco. Joseph Schmidt, a European-trained baker, and his partner, Audrey Ryan, a European-trained confectioner, opened a store selling baked goods and chocolates. Joseph Schmidt's signature egg-shaped truffle is the company's trademark.

In 1985, Joseph and Audrey brought in two partners to grow the business: Jeff Smith, a successful restaurateur and veteran of Nestle, and Duane Papierniak, an engineer. They continued to run the company until 2005, growing the business both nationally and internationally. At different times, Joseph Schmidt products have been available in such department stores as Harrod's and Selfridges in the UK, David Jones Limited in Australia, Takashimaya in Tokyo, and a variety of locations in Canada. Currently, distribution is limited to North America, and includes department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdales, and Sak's Fifth Avenue, and gourmet grocery stores such as Whole Foods and the Fresh Market, as well as other independent stores.

Current

In November 2005, Joseph Schmidt Confections was purchased by Artisan Confections Company, a Hershey subsidiary, which, had previously purchased Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, an artisanal chocolate manufacturer in nearby Berkeley, California. In November 2006 Artisan Confections purchased Dagoba, an Ashland, Oregon-based manufacturer of organic chocolate.

External links

*http://www.josephschmidtconfections.com