World of Wine Event, LLC

In 2002, Michael partnered with his brother Richard to open a small chocolate café in San Diego, CA, which they named after Chuao, the legendary cacao growing region.

Chef Michael’s mix of savory ingredients, exotic spices, highly-prized Venezuelan chocolate (and endless imagination) has become Chuao Chocolatier’s recipe for success. His unique vision for chocolate is to create confections that arouse the senses with unusual, unexpected and delicious flavors. From the Chevere, a goat cheese and Pear Williams bonbon with crushed black pepper butter cream to the trend-setting Firecracker, a dark chocolate bonbon filled with caramel fudge, chipotle chile, salt, and popping candy, the creative nature of Chef Michael’s recipes really shine through.

Sharing his passion by teaching others is a great motivation for Chef Michael. From conducting regular chocolate-making classes in his Chuao Chocolatier kitchen to leading chocolate and wine pairing seminars at chocolate cafes, festivals, hotels, conferences and other private venues nationally, his dynamic personality and contagious passion for chocolate are guaranteed to produce a memorable presentation for any audience. Chef Michael has appeared on the Dr. Phil show and the Food Network, as well as other television programs to demonstrate his creativity and culinary expertise.

Chuao Chocolatier currently owns and operates five chocolate cafés in Southern California and a boutique in Coral Gables, FL. Select chocolate bars, hot chocolate, ChocoPod and other gourmet chocolate confections are also available at fine retailers nationwide, including select Whole Foods, Wegmans, Crate & Barrel, Cost Plus World Imports and Pier 1 and five star hotels such as Omni Hotels, La Costa Resort & Spa, and Four Seasons.

Cooking Class: Arousing the Senses with Chocolate and Vino