Joseph Schmidt Confections

Last updated

Joseph Schmidt Confections was a San Francisco-based chocolatier, which created gourmet confections with imported Belgian chocolate. [1] The line of confections included truffles of various sizes, slicks, and mosaics. Joseph Schmidt confections ceased operations in 2009. [2] [3]

Contents

History

Early

Joseph Schmidt Confections was started in San Francisco during 1983. Joseph Schmidt, a European-trained baker, opened the store with his partner Audrey Ryan, a European-trained confectioner, and together, they sold baked goods and chocolates. Joseph Schmidt's signature egg-shaped truffle was the company's trademark. [2]

In 1985, Joseph and Audrey brought in two partners to grow the business: Jeff Smith, a successful restaurateur and veteran of Nestle, and Duane Papierniak, an engineer. They continued to run the company until 2005, growing the business both nationally and internationally. [2] At different times, Joseph Schmidt products have been available in such department stores as Harrod's and Selfridges in the UK, David Jones Limited in Australia, Takashimaya in Tokyo, and a variety of locations in Canada. North America includes department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Bloomingdales, and Saks Fifth Avenue, and gourmet grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and the Fresh Market, as well as other independent stores. [2]

The company had stores in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, and in San Jose. [3]

Current

In November 2005, Joseph Schmidt Confections was purchased by Artisan Confections Company, a Hershey subsidiary, which had previously purchased Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, an artisanal chocolate manufacturer in nearby Berkeley, California. [4] In November 2006 Artisan Confections purchased Dagoba, an Ashland, Oregon-based manufacturer of organic chocolate. [4] Hershey's later began to consolidate the production of Scharffen Berger products in an upgraded factory in Robinson, Illinois. [2] In early 2009 Hershey's announced plans to eliminate the Joseph Schmidt brand. [4] By July 2009 both the production facility and retail store on 16th Street in San Francisco closed, laying off approximately 150 local employees. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hershey Company</span> American food company

The Hershey Company, often called just Hershey or Hershey's, is an American multinational confectionery company headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, which is also home to Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World. The Hershey Company is one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world; it also manufactures baked products, such as cookies and cakes, and sells beverages like milkshakes, as well as other products. The Hershey Company was founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894 as the Hershey Chocolate Company, originally established as a subsidiary of his Lancaster Caramel Company. The Hershey Trust Company owns a minority stake but retains a majority of the voting power within the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuisine of California</span> Culinary traditions of California

The cuisine of California reflects the diverse culture of California and is influenced largely by European American, Hispanic American, East Asian and Oceanian influences, and Western European influences, as well as the food trends and traditions of larger American cuisine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker</span> American chocolate manufacturer

Scharffen Berger is an American chocolate manufacturing company, which was a subsidiary of The Hershey Company after it had been acquired in 2005. Scharffen Berger was established as an independent Berkeley, California-based chocolate maker in 1996 by sparkling wine maker John Scharffenberger and physician Robert Steinberg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teuscher</span> Swiss chocolatier

Teuscher is a chocolatier headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland.

Fannie May Confection Brands, Inc. is an American chocolate manufacturer headquartered in Chicago and currently owned by multinational company Ferrero SpA. Fannie May manufactures a broad variety of products including enrobed, barks, caramels, squares, berries, twist wrapped, molded, flow wrapped, and boxed chocolates. Fannie May produces various candies without gluten, milk, honey, oil(s), wheat, and/or eggs for those with the relevant allergies. The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America certified many of Fannie May's products to be kosher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chocolate truffle</span> Type of chocolate confectionery

A chocolate truffle is a French chocolate confectionery traditionally made with a chocolate ganache centre and coated in cocoa powder, coconut, or chopped nuts. A chocolate truffle is handrolled into a spherical or ball shape. The name derives from the chocolate truffle's similarity in appearance to truffles, a tuber fungus. It was created in the city of Chambéry by the pastry chef Nicole Petruccelli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hershey Story</span> Museum of the Hershey Company

The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue is devoted to the history and legacy of Milton S. Hershey and the chocolate candy confections he invented. It is located at 63 West Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, and opened in January 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charbonnel et Walker</span> British chocolatier

Charbonnel et Walker Chocolatier is a British firm of chocolate makers based in Bond Street, London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gourmet Ghetto</span> Neighborhood in Berkeley, California

The Gourmet Ghetto is a colloquial name for the business district of the North Berkeley neighborhood in the city of Berkeley, California, known as the birthplace of California cuisine. Other developments that can be traced to this neighborhood include specialty coffee, the farm-to-table and local food movements, the rise to popularity in the U.S. of chocolate truffles and baguettes, the popularization of the premium restaurant designed around an open kitchen, and the California pizza made with local produce. After coalescing in the mid-1970s as a culinary destination, the neighborhood received its "Gourmet Ghetto" nickname in the late 1970s from comedian Darryl Henriques. Early, founding influences were Peet's Coffee, Chez Panisse and the Cheese Board Collective. Alice Medrich began her chain of Cocolat chocolate stores there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgian chocolate</span> Chocolate produced in Belgium

Belgian chocolate is chocolate produced in Belgium. A major industry since the 19th century, today it forms an important part of the nation's economy and culture.

Robert Wayne Steinberg was an American physician who co-founded Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker in 1996 with John Scharffenberger, his friend and former patient.

Norman Love is an American pastry chef located in Fort Myers, Florida.

Alice Medrich is a businesswoman, baker and cookbook author with a particular interest in chocolate. She founded the Cocolat chain of chocolate stores, has authored numerous cookbooks, and is referred to as the First Lady of Chocolate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amano Artisan Chocolate</span> American chocolate manufacturer

Amano Artisan Chocolate is an American bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer based in Orem, Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie Lynn Tempesta</span>

Bonnie Lynn Tempesta was an American baker and businesswoman who helped pioneer the gourmet food movement in the United States. Called "the Queen of Biscotti." Tempesta "effectively started the national biscotti craze."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chocolaterie</span> Company that manufactures chocolates and sells them directly

A chocolaterie is a type of business which both manufactures chocolate confections and sells them, at the same location. It is usually a small family business, often operating at only one location. The word is of French origin, and shops named as such are common in France and Belgium. The term is also used to designate larger chocolate production companies, such as Chocolaterie Guylian, many of which started as smaller shops. This type of store operates in other countries, such as the US, Canada, the UK and Germany, sometimes using the French term. Stores which sell candies and chocolate but do not produce their own brand are called confectionery stores, or other names depending on the region. The related occupational term is chocolatier, though this term is also used sometimes to describe chocolateries, such as Godiva Chocolatier.

Michele Buck is an American businesswoman. In March 2017, she became the first female Chairman, President, and CEO of The Hershey Company, an American food manufacturing company, replacing former CEO John Bilbrey.

Pancracio Chocolates is an artisan chocolate brand. The firm originated in Cadiz, Spain, and was founded in 2003 by Pedro Alvarez, economic and graphic designer. In 2017 it was bought by a luxury sector Valencian firm. The chocolates and sweets are made in Spain and are sold in renowned department stores and gourmet shops around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maison Marou</span> Vietnamese chocolate company

Maison Marou is a gourmet Vietnamese chocolate company based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Founded in 2011 by Samuel Maruta and Vincent Mourou, Maison Marou sources cacao from 6 provinces in southern Vietnam. The company operates 7 shops in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Maison Marou chocolate has received acclaim from the International Chocolate Awards and Salon du Chocolat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L.A. Burdick</span> American chocolatier

L.A. Burdick is a chocolatier established in the 1970s. It has six locations in the United States: two in Massachusetts, and one each in New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Walpole, NH.

References

  1. Fabricant, Florence (1992-04-29). "Only Nature Makes Truffles Better Than A Chocolatier's". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 James, Scott (2009-12-23). "Bittersweet Memories of a Local Chocolate Maker". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  3. 1 2 Bogues, Maureen (2009-04-12). "Joseph Schmidt chocolates will be missed". SFGATE . Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  4. 1 2 3 Bogues, Maureen; Writer, Chronicle Staff (2009-04-12). "Joseph Schmidt chocolates will be missed". SFGate. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  5. Victoria Colliver (2009-02-10). "Schmidt to stop selling chocolates after Easter". San Francisco Chronicle.