Chuao Chocolatier

Brothers Michael and Richard Antonorsi co-founded Chuao Chocolatier. Both attended the University of California, San Diego and graduated in computer science and bioengineering and after college they returned to their native Venezuela to pursue business. As Venezuela proved to be violent and unsafe, the brothers left, separating for two different careers. At this time Richard moved to Miami, Florida to run an internet bank and Michael left for Paris to attend cooking school. Eventually, Richard left the bank business and Michael graduated from the prestigious French cooking school, which is where he learned how to make specialty chocolates. The brothers then decided to start a chocolate enterprise (Patringenaru).

It was decided that Richard would handle the business side of the company while Michael would be the chief chocolatier creating the products. Although they spent less than a year planning their business venture before they actually started it, they carefully decided on the best location for a chocolate business. Finally, they decided to return to their college town of San Diego and after careful thought they found there were no other chocolate artisans located here, eliminating local competition. Richard and Michael found financial backers and started their business, opening a single boutique located in Encinitas, CA in 2002 (Chuao Chocolatier, The Chocolate Review).

Since their first store opened in 2002 Chuao has opened four more stores in southern California and one in Miami (Chuao Chocolatier)Chuao that sets them apart from others is their ingredients; there are no preservatives in any of their chocolates and they use fresh, natural ingredients. Chuao Chocolatier is the pioneer of what they call “fusion chocolate,” which is high quality chocolate fused with other fresh ingredients. For example, their signature flavor is spicy Maya; a modern twist on the Mayan’s ancient hot cocoa recipe made with pasilla chile and cayenne pepper (Rippo).

The company has been featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles along with video clips and published recipes. For example both ABC News and NBC News covered Chuao’s participation in the All Candy Expo in 2007. Both news sources featured videos and articles telling that Chuao’s ChocoPod was voted the best new candy at the Expo, which is the largest candy show in North America. Along with ABC and NBC several other networks featured Chuao Chocolatier’s involvement at the All Candy Expo (Chuao In The News).

References

*Chuao Chocolatier. “About Chuao Chocolatier.” Chuao Chocolatier. Chuao Chocolatier. 23 Apr. 2008 .
*"Chuao Chocolatier." The Chocolate Review. Nov. 2007. 14 Apr. 2008 .
*"Chuao In The News." Chuao Chocolatier. Chuao Chocolatier. 20 Apr. 2008 .
*Patringenaru, Ioana. "Alumni Brothers Spice Up Chocolate World." UCSD News Mar. 2008. 14 Apr. 2008 .
*Rippo, John A. "ONAMI: Taste Pairings of Food & Drink." The Espresso Mar. 2008. 14 Apr. 2008 .