05.08.12
A great day for GoodDrinks
Michael Szyliowicz

As The Blend readers well know by now, I am all about innovation. Once we develop products for customers, I’m already looking at the next one. Over the years I’m proud of the fact that as a company we have introduced a number of “firsts.” I created the first co-branded, non-alcoholic chocolate sauce, partnering with Kahlua. We introduced both the first certified fair trade chocolate sauce and the first single-origin chocolate sauce. We’ve hosted industry events dedicated to innovation and creativity. Innovation is at the center of nearly every conversation at our office, from R&D to Sales to Marketing and Operations, and in many ways, it’s the single most important thing we do. 

Today, we’re introducing another industry first: a complete line of sauces, drink mixes and concentrates made completely free of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a sweetener that has been linked to obesity and other health related issues. 

Today, we introduce GoodDrinks. 

GoodDrinks is a bold new choice that aims to lift our entire industry, asking all of us to strive for something better—better for our bodies, better for our customers, better for our children and better for the...

Beverages, Diary of a Chocolatier, Innovation, News
bevolution, clean water, gooddrinks, INNOVATION, population services international
03.06.12
Commitment to innovation
Michael Szyliowicz

 

Innovation is at the center of everything we do. It has shaped our company’s heritage, laid the groundwork for our bright future and even influences our daily decisions at Mont Blanc Gourmet. 

We’ve proven to the food and beverage industry time and again that we’ll take a chance to bring about positive change for the industry. 

Mont Blanc Gourmet was the first in the industry to introduce fair trade chocolate sauce, a decision we made because it was the right thing to do. We also were the first to bring the industry single-origin chocolate sauce. We dared to develop the industry’s first dairy-free blender mix, and at SCAA 2011 we hosted the “Invitation to Innovation,” a wildly successful breakfast with creativity coach Artie Isaac that helped industry leaders start looking at creativity and innovation as tools to improve business. 

For an industry that traditionally waits for the largest companies to change before following behind, Mont Blanc Gourmet stands out from the pack, constantly driving industry ingenuity and imagination. 

We’re deeply committed to innovation, and in the next year, Mont Blanc Gourmet will again prove that commitment through some very exciting announcements. That’s all we can formally announce so far, but stay tuned for some stirring innovations in 2012. 

 

Beverages, Diary of a Chocolatier, Innovation, News, Sustainability
dairy-free, fair trade, INNOVATION, scaa, single origin
02.20.12
Meet Mont Blanc: Michael Szyliowicz
Rebecca Gelston

Name: Michael Szyliowicz

Title: Chocolatier, Co-Founder

Born: Grew up in Denver

What do you do for Mont Blanc Gourmet?

I come up with ideas for products— and I have dinner with customers.  

How did you get your start in this field?

Twenty-five years ago I learned to make chocolates in Paris, and everything just kind of fell into place after that.    

What’s the best part about your job?

The best part of my job is getting to think about all of these fantastic new products we create for customers.

What do you order at your favorite café?

Coffee black, or a mocha.  

Last great idea you’ve come across?

In my life as a "top secret" drink developer, I come across a lot of great ideas... but I’m not ready to share them quite yet! 

Beverages, Diary of a Chocolatier, News
chocolatier, Meet Mont Blanc, mocha, paris
02.13.12
Meet Mont Blanc: Traci Lynn Markle
Rebecca Gelston

 

Name: Traci Lynn Markle

Title: Sales Assistant

Born: Jacksonville, FL (spent most of my life in Philadelphia though – age 2 to 20)

What do you do for Mont Blanc? 

I sell and assist in sales: send samples, follow up on leads, process orders, invoicing, coordinate shipping and keep everything running smoothly around the office.

How did you start in this field? 

I wanted to work for a smaller company with a friendly workplace. I have been doing office admin stuff for many years. 

What’s the best part of your job? 

I like the people here, even Jim and Paul (the resident jokesters) have their moments. And Michael is a great boss. 

What do you order at a café? 

I order a cappuccino, extra shot and low fat milk.

Last great idea you came across?  

The last time I visited Telluride, Colo., I attended a fesitval and the entire event was “green." Everything was either compostable or recyclable. The plastic cups used for lemonade, etc., were actually made of corn and therefore biodegradable, and they had compost and recycle bins everywhere. They also allowed everyone to use...

Beverages, News, Sustainability
cappucino, green, sampling, sustainability
02.06.12
Meet Mont Blanc: Irene Szyliowicz
Rebecca Gelston

Name: Irene Szyliowicz

Title: President

Born: London, England

What do you do for Mont Blanc Gourmet?

I am in charge of Export sales and service.

How did you get your start in this field?

I got my start at the beginning of this company, and the chocolate business my son and I created in 1985, then called The French Confection. We made chocolate candies, which we learned to manufacture in Paris, France. This business evolved out of that one.

What’s the best part about your job?

The best part of my job is going to trade shows where I get to meet my customers in person and, hopefully, attract new ones.

What do you order at your favorite café?

I usually order a decaf cappuccino with skimmed milk.

Last great idea you’ve come across?

I was visiting a friend in a nursing home who had multiple sclerosis and could no longer communicate. I took her hand and realized she had the power to press mine. I could then ask her questions which demanded “yes” or “no” answers, and she would press my hand whenever she agreed. I finally found a way to communicate with her!

Beverages, News, Tradeshows
exports, ideas, Meet Mont Blanc, tradeshows