A chocolatier is a person who makes confections out of chocolate. Those
confections, or candies, include everything from solid chocolate designs to
truffles, chocolate-covered fruits and specialty items such as chocolate flowerpots
and chocolate champagne bottles. In a way, being a chocolatier is like being
an artist. A lot of creativity goes into the work.
Some chocolatiers make their creations from molds ordered from a manufacturer.
Others make their confections by hand, carving their own molds and designing
their own recipes. In many cases, chocolatiers sell both their own creations
as well as baskets of their creations mixed with fine chocolates from upscale
chocolatiers.
While most people in the business enjoy the work, it does take a lot of
effort. Most chocolatiers are self-employed. They have to work the chocolate
by hand or with machines. Plus, they must do all the marketing and selling.
Some chocolatiers work in large organizations, such as major candy companies.
Those are jobs where the chocolatier is responsible for mostly new chocolate
creations and designs. And these are the people who bring us new variations
of the chocolate candy bar.
Sight disabilities may limit a person in this field. But most aspects of
the career can be adapted to persons of varying abilities.
Often, particularly during the holiday season, chocolatiers can work long
hours trying to keep up with orders. And as with any career involving food
processing and cooking equipment, there are hazards. That risk is somewhat
reduced when proper safety procedures are followed.