Vosges Haut-Chocolat announces new Chicago LEED gold certified Chocolate Temple

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 7, 2013 - February 7, 2013 – Chicago, IL – Katrina Markoff, Founder and CEO of Vosges Haut-Chocolat®, the Chicago-based luxury chocolate maker, announced today that with the support of the State and Governor Quinn, the City and Mayor Emanuel, Alderman Moreno and Wintrust Bank, the chocolatier obtained funding to purchase a former Whole Foods bakery building in Logan Square and is converting it into a new LEED gold certified Chocolate Temple to house its corporate headquarters, test kitchen and manufacturing plant. For the first time, Vosges Haut-Chocolat will fulfill Katrina Markoff’s “bean to bar” mission to trace the origins of its chocolate and craft it directly from the source - the cacao bean.  

“The Chocolate Temple will be much more than a physical address, it will be the beating heart of our endeavors and a hub of creativity for all who care to venture with us,” said Katrina Markoff, CEO and Founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat. “Working with the state, we will be able to move out of a leased facility and purchase a building that allows us to remain a home-grown Chicago business.”

~ Katrina Markoff, Founder, CEO and Chocolatier of Vosges Haut-Chocolat & Wild Ophelia®

From the beginning, Markoff set out to create more than an avant-garde, exotic piece of chocolate, more than a luxurious gift experience, more than concierge-level customer service. Her true intent was to create a chocolate experience unlike any other. Exercising all of the senses, Markoff encouraged others to Travel the World Through Chocolate™ - to see, smell, hear, taste, think, question, and change while enjoying each Vosges Haut-Chocolat collection. With the recent launch of Wild Ophelia, Markoff furthers this exploration through all-natural ingredients from American farms and artisans, offering An American Roadtrip Through Chocolate™.

In Summer 2013, Vosges Haut-Chocolat will offer the quintessential chocolate experience. Guests will learn about Markoff’s creative process through an exhibition that details the creation of three signature chocolate collections. Visitors will then embark on an interactive tour to explore chocolate history, cocoa bean fermentation, raw ingredients and production techniques. The visit will culminate in a limitless, experiential chocolate tasting. Like each of Markoff’s chocolate collections, the design of Vosges Haut-Chocolat’s new Temple has been thoughtfully and meticulously planned. Markoff has designed everything from an edible scenic garden to an innovative menu of sweet and savory dishes to be served in her gastro pub (launching early 2014) to answer the question: “With what will chocolate not marry?”

Vosges Haut-Chocolat

2950 N. Oakley Ave.

Chicago, IL 60618