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Chuao (pronounced: chew-ah-oh) is a Venezuelan Chocolatier based in San Diego, CA. Co-founded in 2002 by famous Venezuelan Chef Michael Antonorsi and his brother Richard. They are notoriously known for their sophisticates, award-winning flavors using a blend of premium, ethically sourced chocolate and high quality ingredients. They offer dark and milk chocolate bars, truffles and chocolate drinks. Among their most famous chocolate bars are: Fire Cracker, Potato Chip and Oh My S'mores. Chuao Chocolatier's products are available at fine grocery retailers nationwide, as well as at www.chuaochocolatier.com and the company's Southern California chocolate cafes and Plant.

History
Born and raised in Venezuela, the Antonorsi brothers have had a love affair with cacao since infancy. Their family owned a cacao farm in Chuao, a small town in the state of Miranda, famous for its award-winning cacao beans. Later on, Michael went to study to the United States and earn a degree in engineering even though food was always his passion. Years later, he decided to follow his dreams and moved to Paris to study at the École Supérieure de Cuisine Française Ferrandi where he earned a Chef certification with a special concentration in Pastry and Chocolatier.

Early years
They first opened as a chocolate café in Encinitas, California. Initial offerings included chocolate bars, bonbons (the first flavor of which was Picante, a Cabernet wine caramel with pasilla chile and cayenne pepper), truffles and hot chocolate in the now-signature Spicy Maya, a modern twist on an ancient Mayan hot-chocolate recipe with pasilla chile and cayenne pepper.

Expansion
Chuao’s wholesale business began in 2004 with Whole Foods Markets in the San Diego region as its premier client. On offer were five bars (Spicy Maya, Chinita Nibs, Earl Gray, Caracas Milk and Caracas Dark) and two hot chocolates (Spicy Maya and Abuela). Today, Chuao’s products are sold at more than 5,000 national and regional retailers, such as Crate & Barrel and Dean & Deluca and CVS.

Chuao Chocolate Cafes
They currently own two shops in the San Diego county that serves chocolate beverages and pastries aside from a wide selection of their products. They also offer factory tours for the public in their plant based in Carlsbad, CA. Where people can enjoy a warm beverage or shop for their famous chocolate bars, truffles and bomboms.

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