Shakespeare is getting a little sweeter with the opening of Chok. Fine Chocolates, a new self-described “chocolate studio” specializing in artisan bonbons featuring beautiful designs.
The business began as a side hustle for owner Stephen Beaumont, who started experimenting with making chocolates as part of his previous role managing a private home.
“I would do dinner parties and I started producing these chocolates as an after-dinner nibble,” he explained.
People loved them so much, they advised him to make more and try to sell them.
Although Beaumont already had a background in the culinary arts, he soon began studying chocolate-making in earnest, completing training with notable Michigan chocolatier, Luis Amado. Beaumont launched Chok. in early 2020, operating out of a certified kitchen in the basement of his Windsor home and selling to customers via online orders.
After several years living between Windsor and Stratford, Beaumont recently made a full-time move to the Festival City and brought Chok. Fine Chocolates along with him, giving the business not only a new home in Shakespeare but its first dedicated production space.
Beaumont’s goal is to create chocolates that don’t just taste delicious, but also serve as pieces of edible art.
“We eat with our eyes first, so I like to create something that’s visually appealing,” he said.
“It gives me an opportunity to be creative both with what it looks like and also what it tastes like.”
Beaumont achieves his rainbow-hued chocolate designs using a combination of coloured cocoa butter and Swiss chocolate, which encase ganache, caramel, praline and other sweet fillings.
“I make my own fillings, so I make sure I don't use any preservatives or artificial colours or flavours. Everything is natural,” he said.
Beaumont is often guided by seasonal flavours in creating his ever-changing line-up of chocolates.
“I've used lavender. I've made a caramel macchiato filling – particularly if you're a Starbucks fan, that's a great chocolate,” he said.
One of Chok.’s signature offerings is what Beaumont has dubbed the “Canadiana collection,” which features chocolates that pay homage to distinctly Canadian flavours. It includes five chocolates that nod to the Nanaimo bar, Saskatoon berry, butter tart, Canadian Club rye and maple pecan with their fillings.
For now, Chok. Fine Chocolates’ Shakespeare home will function as more of a production facility rather than a retail shop as the business scales up. Online ordering through a website is in the works and, in the meantime, customers can message Beaumont via Chok.’s Instagram to place orders, which can be picked up at his Shakespeare studio.
“I’m going to make my chocolate bonbons here and promote them within the Stratford, Shakespeare and KW area.”
Beaumont says he plans to offer occasional pop-up retail hours – particularly during upcoming holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day – during which customers can stop in and buy chocolates in person.
“If you're driving past and it's open, you can pop in and see me, talk to me and buy chocolates,” he said.
Chok. Fine Chocolates
2236, Line 34, Shakespeare, ON
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