Shop TalkDARLENA Artisan Chocolates Owner: Darlena Morgan19 W. Water Street, Sandwich, IL 60548630-301-8562www.darlenachocolates.com

Chocolate philosophy: The mission of DARLENA Artisan Chocolates is “To bring back the Romance of Life through its chocolates…Its Purity, Beauty, and Best to you.” I have a true, romantic and health-minded dedication – a real purpose through the creation of my business to have DARLENA Artisan Chocolates give the gift to fully allow every single guest to experience our dedication to chocolate tasting. It starts with the philosophy deep in the soul to keep alive and honor the ancestors and the centuries-old European traditional artisan by-hand craftsmanship that has gruelingly and painstakingly gone before me with the elated discoveries, dedication, inspiration, to all the moving parts and people that make the best of the best quality of chocolate what it is today. My philosophy comes from a purely organic mindset. I want to give each person a tasting nirvana comprised of only the highest caliber of cocoa bean varietals with the fi nest fl avor beans that can be gotten from the best regions of the world, to have fellow artisans to enjoy their passion with me to contemporarily create and design and make one-by-one one-of-a-kind chocolates that take the chocolate experience to a whole new paradigm. This delicate process of creating our chocolates allows one to close your eyes and enjoy a unique Sixth Sense Collection. Our goal to create a most beautiful symphony. I believe only using the highest caliber of the fi nest fl avor beans. I believe in blending and not only using one origin, as this can allow new melodies to play off and intertwine with one another. I believe in non-GMOs. I believe in no glucose and highly refi ned and processed foods. I believe good chocolate should have no sugar or minimal just to a level wherever required. I believe in organic wherever possible, but do not believe in organic “fi llers” to just say it is as a marketing ploy. I believe a purist’s mind will take one far and will help others, I believe in greater causes than myself, I believe in helping the real workers who care about our planet and how we feed our bodies, I believe not in

a good business but only that bringing good people together to give their talents to help others where we can all thrive together in peace and prosperity and love, and that alone should be the outcome of our good business. I believe DARLENA may end up roasting and making its own chocolate someday, I believe marketing gimmicks kills the heart, I believe in growing and cherishing beauty and the heart. I believe spreading love and being a pure person is the only way to be. I believe chocolate is the most beautiful medium for me where I can achieve all this and to continually grow and also is a form of meditation. I believe in giving your best. I believe in Truth. My chocolate collection is an extension of me and my philosophy of life.

Inspiration: So many factors and events helped me reach this destiny that was calling me. I have been self-taught in culinary and had that passion since I could remember (4 or 5) and always wanting to experiment and test foods and if they were healthy or not. I’ve always been fascinated in the composition of ingredients and how amazing what it can do when you add new ingredients and what that can become. I have been inspired by my Grandma Rosati who grew up with me in the same house where food was an extension of our love and communication together. I became inspired when my father’s eyes would light up whenever there was well-prepared food on the table and how much pleasure it was for me to see him smile and laugh and be in great company. I became inspired when I would cook gourmet foods in my kitchen all weekend long after my day jobs that I did not like but that helped to pay the bills. I must say my biggest inspiration is when I fi rst met my husband and made him the perfect tiramisu from scratch with only the recipe in my mind. Love inspires me…passionate people inspire me. And then it happened… after so

many series of events in my life, after fresco-color-washing a room going to our basement, I realized just then it was time…it was time to hone my skills and become who I am inside, to be around other people who are seriously dedicated in the same way I was. Little did I know my destiny, but I always thank the director of the French Pastry School, Franco Pacini, as I think he knew me before I knew me. And then I shook hands with one of the most well-known chocolatiers, Pierre Hermé from France, there was an inexplicable moment we had when we

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held hands and looked into each others’ eyes. It was as if I was seeing myself in the mirror. I am a proud 2008 graduate of the French Pastry School. Chef Jacquy Pfeiffer is a beloved mentor and friend I always will cherish and will always be part of my heart. During class, on my way to school 1 ½ hours away each way and at 4:30 AM in the morning, I would develop recipes in my head. I was inspired after Chef Sebastian [Canonne] told me I was crazy when making my three-foot chocolate sculpture and testing its architectural boundaries. After I graduated from the French Pastry School, it was only after then did I really start to realize who I am…who I truly can be…something was calling me….yes, yes…..I am THE chocolatier.

Business profi le: DARLENA Artisan Chocolates is a web store at www.darlenachocolates.com and is a manufacturer/wholesaler also to Whole Foods, fi ne hoteliers, wineries, weddings, private events, spas, and seeking to grow with other fi ne and reputable retailers. Many requests have been made to open retail and that will be at some point in the future. DARLENA has just completed its new Chocolate Bar Collection in eco-friendly and fully-sustainable packaging to help the environment and pricing has been made to keep it where everyone can enjoy their chocolate frequently and enjoy the best quality.

Pricing: We sell by the unit. 2-counts are $5.50, chocolate bars are $6.49, 15-counts are $15, 25-counts for $45, 9-count Executive box for $23, 16-count Executive box for $38.00.

Varieties: 10-12 varieties currently.

Most unique piece: The fi rst to come to mind is the Strawberry Malt I just perfected a week ago. It does NOT contain malt powder; gluten-free ingredients are used and you won’t know if you just want to slowly lick this chocolate but then you will bite down and the beautiful snap of the chocolate will wake you up that this is your chocolate… and you don’t have to share.

Personal favorite: Each piece was developed by conjuring up different beautiful experiences. My Caramel Mystique is one as the caramel alone will make you want to hide away in bliss as this took a long time to make just perfect. The fi ne tannins of the milk chocolate truly make this one a symphony. But I am so torn; my Sicilian Gold I thought of while doing my yoga and this is close to my heart – handmade natural nougat with pistachios, blood orange, and a beautiful deep bold 74% dark couverture. But then again, I love my Cherry Blossom – organic matcha green tea with tart cherries hidden like a treasure in gorgeous milk chocolate.

Shipping: We ship anywhere in the U.S. Fed Ex 2nd day in colder months and 2nd day or priority or standard overnight, depending upon the client’s request.

Favorite quote: “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.” – Albert Einstein