Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Stuffed Chocolate

For Jim and Bonnie Stefanie of Stuffed Chocolate, Ltd., going “back to the grind” every Monday morning isn’t just a saying; it’s a reality. The local business owners are chocolatiers, creating a unique assortment of gourmet confections unlike any others available in Western New York.

Established 10 years ago, Stuffed Chocolate, Ltd. began as an online company with a primarily international clientele. But after some time, the Stefanies decided to make themselves known to the community and sweeten it up a bit.

“We started to join groups like the [Cheektowaga] Chamber [of Commerce], just getting out in the community, getting to know people, getting to be a part of the community,” said Bonnie Ross-Stefanie. “And it’s been very, very good because we’ve gotten to know an awful lot of wonderful people. We’ve brought them into the shop and they get to taste and they realize it’s great chocolate.”

And that’s how Western New York’s love for Stuffed Chocolate, Ltd. began.

Although the company still does business through online orders at www.stuffedchocolate.com, it now has a showroom located at 138 Walton Drive that boasts a huge selection of chocolates. What started as a small web merchant with fewer than 15 items has become an established company that offers nearly 450 gourmet products that include chocolates, teas, coffees, and non-chocolate products to compliment their creations.

But at the heart of it all, it’s all about chocolate, and the couple is devoted to developing an expansive line of quality confections that is always growing and changing.

You name it, and the Stefanies have probably done it – and if they haven’t yet, they likely will upon suggestion.

Stuffed Chocolate is unique from the rest because it is the only artisanal Belgian chocolate shop in the area. The couple imports chocolate directly from Belgium and incorporate local ingredients to create an original product. And the products, as well as flavors, are endless.

“We use as many local ingredients as we can, and we feel that we start with the best chocolate, and then make it better,” Bonnie said.

While Stuffed Chocolate, Ltd. may be a bit more expensive than your typical Hershey’s Chocolate product or industrially made, machine boxed chocolate, the slightly higher price is well worth it – as every creation is fresh and handmade.

According to the company’s website, “the chocolate used is imported, couverture quality chocolate. The chocolate does not depend on sugar, wax, or non-cocoa oil to lessen the quality and lower the price. What you get is real chocolate??- We use only the finest ingredients, such as nuts, fruits and spices. Our truffles and other ganache and praline products use 40 percent real cream, unsalted butter, and natural flavorings. Each of our artisanal products is hand-made.”

Jim and Bonnie started business out small, selling chocolate-covered cherries and berries – which they still sell – from another chocolatier. But they decided they wanted to start making their own chocolate, and the rest is delicious history.

When asked how the two learned the trade, Jim joked, “We had to learn it in the streets. We spent 5 or 6 years learning the trade from any way you can.”

The Stefanies attended chocolate schools, trade shows, seminars, and workshops. They read books and did a great deal of online research. But the true way to learn how to create chocolate, Jim said, is to witness the process firsthand. So the couple went to Europe – Switzerland, Germany, Belgium – several times to learn how it was done.

“You can go to school to learn it, but I think you’re learning the technical side there,” Jim explained. “So we went into the field and said, ‘OK, what’s the best thing for us to do that’s not being done here?’ That’s the key. If it’s already being done here, we don’t do it.”

“We do very different things,” added Bonnie. “We’re the only Belgian chocolate company [in the area] and we do different things that nobody else does.”

And the originality of Stuffed Chocolate, Ltd. is something that the community has noticed. The confections are truly unprecedented, which has led to great success and word-of-mouth recognition among Western New Yorkers.

Stuffed Chocolate, Ltd. teams up with several local wineries, creating chocolates to match up with certain wines. After one matching with A Gust of Sun Winery in Ransomville, it was a done deal – they were hooked.

“The first time they went with us, they selected two different wines and we matched them,” Jim said. “They came back within a weekend and tripled the order of our [chocolate] bark because they were selling out, and now we’re making three more. So the customer reaction on their end has been spectacular.”

“They sell more wine and we sell more chocolate,” added Bonnie. “It’s a win-win situation.”

The Stefanies make custom creations that cater to holidays and significant personal events, including weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. They love the business and all that it encompasses, especially customer interaction and the imagination that’s required of a chocolatier.

“The mundane things you have to do in every business, but the creativity [that comes with this business] is definitely a lot of fun,” Bonnie said.

“And another thing, for us, when people taste our product for the first time, their eyes open up,” Jim added. “And when we see people enjoying what we’re enjoy doing, it’s really cool. That’s exciting.”

Stuffed Chocolate, Ltd. is embarking on a busy season with upcoming Valentine’s Day, so do yourself – and your loved ones, and your sweet tooth – a favor and place your order online or by phone by visiting www.stuffedchocolate.com or calling _____________ between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Chocolate with Bill & Sheila

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