Meet Will Gustwiller

Will Gustwiller

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Leading up to Valentine’s Day, my business goes…into top speed! In 2012, my team-hand dipped more than 100,000 salted caramels, plus another 40,000 chocolate bars. V-Day is the height of our season.

The most popular item this year will surely be… our limited edition strawberry balsamic and malted milk and honey chocolate bars.

On Valentine’s Day, I will be… hosting dinner in our new dining room—a five-course meal with each plating infused with chocolate, vanilla bean, or caramel.

What’s the best chocolate to give a woman? Call me a traditionalist, but a good Valentine is filled with florals. Our Lavender Sea Salted Caramels are to die for!

How about for the fellas? Nothing is more masculine than my Banana Rum Cigar Truffle. It’s earthy with a hint of smoke, and pairs well with beer!

To me, romance is… critical! The world revolves around love.

Chocolate is not just for dessert. It goes great with… everything! Every plate of savory food we serve has an infusion of chocolate. Sweet and savory is a perfect marriage.

Salted caramels are so… timeless. Sea salt and chocolate entered the scene with chocolate-covered pretzels decades ago. The human palate will always crave salty-sweet combinations.

Something people don’t know about cocoa is… couverture chocolate [a special blend used by professionals for dipping, coating, molding, and garnishing] is the highest grade possible. It contains high amounts of cocoa butter, which is great for both texture and taste.

Some might say my love of chocolate is extreme, because… each night I meditate on new and unusual exotic chocolate treats.

I decided to move my shop to South Park because… at four times the space we currently have, our new building and new neighborhood will be a lovely home for years to come.

The grand opening of Eclipse Chocolat’s new space, 2145 Fern Street, is February 2.