Artisan

{cocoa} founder, Jewel Zimmer, is a purist; a trusted curator, carefully crafting rare chocolates to reveal new innovations for her San Francisco-based boutique chocolate company. With {cocoa}, Jewel elevates the art of artisan chocolate, creating esthetically beautiful collections that balance fine craftsmanship and pure ingredients. Her integrity, originality and eye for fine design have combined to deliver the most innovative, conscious chocolate collections available.

Growing up in her father’s artisan bakery, Jewel was inspired by his dedication to craft and classical baking practices. She was exposed early to the technique and passion of greats such as Paris’ Poilane, the world’s most famous bread maker, inspiring her inevitable career as a pastry chef. After graduating top of her class at Le Cordon Bleu, Jewel studied with Chef Eric Ziebold where she learned the art of process and the value pursuit has on the finished product. To further develop her skills, Jewel moved to San Francisco, epicenter of artisanal food innovations.

Jewel travels extensively, inspired by cities like London, Montreal and Barcelona, which capture the ideal blend of classic design, modern advances and superior craftsmanship that she infuses in {cocoa}. She continues to work with masters from around the world, seeking inspiration and fresh approaches to enhance her craft, and was even honored with baking two of Julia Child’s birthday cakes. Jewel recognizes excellence and expects it of herself - whether ensuring all environments (including her home) are a strict 65 degrees, optimum for {cocoa}’s comfort; traveling to a remote, clandestine enclave for the ‘only’ hazelnuts she’ll consider; or housing over 20 varieties of sea salt to insure the ideal match. Jewel’s unwavering drive in pursuit of perfection is {cocoa}’s secret ingredient.

Jewel is a collector of experiences, curated with precision and care, they have become the foundation and the inspiration for all that is {cocoa}.