BIG INTERVIEW
forward
CHOCOLATE legacy
Carrying a
Fifth-generation Guittard leader Amy Guittard on heritage, flavour, and why honourable sourcing and craftsmanship remain central to the future of fine chocolate. Kiran Grewal reports.
W
ith more than 150 years of chocolate-making heritage behind it, Guittard Chocolate occupies a rare position in
the global cocoa landscape — both deeply embedded in tradition and actively shaping what comes next. As Chief Marketing Officer and a fifth-generation member of the founding family, Amy Guittard balances stewardship with innovation, from ethical sourcing and flavour-led craftsmanship to new product launches designed for today’s chefs and chocolatiers. We spoke to Amy about legacy, learning, sustainability, and the evolving role of chocolate in a changing world.
Amy, Guittard is one of America’s oldest family-owned chocolate companies. Could you share how the company’s heritage continues to shape its approach to chocolate-making today? Amy Guittard: When my great, great grandfather, Etienne Guittard, travelled from France to San Francisco hoping to strike it rich in the gold rush in the 1860’s he also brought with him knowledge of French chocolate making techniques, and those techniques still inspire the ones we use in the factory today. Chocolate making is an art and a science; roasting and crafting the cocoa beans in a
way that brings out their flavours is crucial to making a quality end product. I call it the evolution of artistry. We see it is as our duty to celebrate the flavours of the beans that cocoa farmers have so diligently and carefully cultivated in the fermentation and drying process. We honour that artistry and make a
WE HONOUR THE ARTISTRY OF THE COCOA FARMER AND
CRAFT CHOCOLATE WHERE THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS
chocolate where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts so our customers can bestow their own level of artistry – we’re left with a product that’s an exponential summation of the entire supply chain. This philosophy stems from 157 years of honourable sourcing and innovative crafting that has led to our commitment to quality.
10 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025/26
You’ve recently hosted a trade masterclass in London — what inspired this event, and what key messages did you want attendees to take away about Guittard and its products? AG: As the fifth generation of the family business, I have an innate passion for cocoa and chocolate and wanted to share that with professionals in the UK. We wanted to communicate our commitment to honourable sourcing, crafting the highest quality chocolate and give attendees a deep dive not only into the brand but also a better understanding of what makes our chocolate unique. Doing so in an intimate setting was also the goal. Our customers are an extension of our family so providing and opportunity for us all to learn together – not only to share a bit about our product line, techniques and inspiration, but also to hear from our customers about what gets them excited, what they’re looking for. It was all about bringing together our extended community to inspire and learn alongside each other. And also give a chance to taste a lot of chocolate.
Guittard is known for its strong connection to cacao farmers and ethical sourcing. How is the company evolving its sustainability and traceability commitments in response to the changing global cocoa landscape?
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
