Sophia Rea is a steward of chocolate, historian, and former chef to entertainers and celebrities. Hailing from a few generations of noted restaurateurs, Rea is adept in many cuisines. But her greatest professional love over the years has been providing refined chocolate tastings in the tradition of the Slow Food movement.

In 2012, Rea started Projet Chocolat, a company devoted to, in her words, “elevating the culture and enjoyment of chocolate.”Projet Chocolat helps celebrate the pleasures of tasting chocolate rather than merely eating it with a line of elegantly designed products, from aromatics kits to storage sleeves.

“Chocolate is more complex than we know,” Rea says. “And I'd like to help teach people to understand where chocolate really comes from. To understand the art and history that intertwines with this rich nuanced delicacy. I think there's joy in chocolate. And what could be better than to bring joy, happiness, something wonderful, something beautiful into people's lives? That's where I'm coming from with Projet Chocolat. That's my goal.”

Bill Demain, contributor to Mojo, Classic Rock and Entertainment Weekly.