For the past three years, and 168 articles, I’ve written here on Substack, sharing my experiences, insights, lessons both happy and hard, as a longtime, flavor-pioneering, curious as heck, bean to bar craft chocolate maker.
As of June, 2025 I’m focusing my writing efforts in a new direction, and no longer accepting paid subscriptions here. The majority of the archives here are paywalled, so if you would like access to the posts please email me, and I will send you an invoice for a one-time payment.
My online course is still available (and when you register for it you also get access to the posts here).
About me
Since 2014 I’ve been a full time chocolate maker, consultant, a full time answerer-of-all-the-questions as a chocolate teacher and mentor; I created this publication out of an abiding love for my small batch community, posting multiple times each month.
You can find more about it all here
“Thanks for all the fantastic posts and information that you provide. Every time I read one of your posts or watch one of your videos or classes, I find a new door that I can open. And most of the time I hadn’t even realized the door was there, let alone that I could open it. “
—Darren, Japan
I've taken your inclusions craft webinar. I've read your free emails for a while, and now I'm diving into my own little business, and I know you have fantastic insights into how to make that happen more smoothly.
—Jake, US
I love the work you do and I am going to jump on and do my part as well so I thank you for educating all of us … here’s to more years of chocolate making
—Aisha, US
Hello Mackenzie, I've been following your work for a few years and enjoy what you create. As a fellow maker, I love how you write and tell your story and never give up on your passion for excellence. Lord knows it's difficult to create and then find your market, or rather how to get the people who are desperate to find you actually find you. It's hard. Keep going!
—Mark, US
I have been a chocolatier for over a decade. Making craft chocolate enticed and intimidated me. I never felt ready to try it. Then, one day, I was listening to Lauren's Well Tempered podcast where she chatted with you and I was so touched by your conversation. I felt like I was invited by a kindred spirit to meet chocolate in a new way. A more playful and poetic way. Thank you.
—Christy
Bean to bar maker in Norway that loves the sharing spirit in the community but at the same time don’t mind to pay for extra quality content like yours! Thanks for sharing and giving option for both free and paid subscriptions.
—Kjell, Norway
I was not in a position to join earlier but I am now able to do it. I absolutely adore the work you do. Thank you for being real/funny and not fluffing about. Cant wait to learn more from you.
—Kristy
Please note: All of my writing, lessons and insights, my photography, and graphics is human-conceived and human-powered, created by me, without the use of AI.
