Lillie Belle Farms Is Honored In America's Artisan Chocolate Making Community

Jeff Shepherd, chocolatier and owner of Lillie Belle Farms, and his chocolates were selected by a broad array of confectionery industry experts, manufacturers, and respected trend watchers as part of the Next Generation Chocolatier competition. "The competition was like American Idol, only sweeter," said Curtis Vreeland, manager of the event, which was held in New York City in May.

The competition, sponsored by Town & Country magazine, Mokt Chandon, and Grand Marnier was created to showcase American artisan chocolatiers who are incredibly talented and deserving of national recognition. These chocolatiers represent the best of a new wave of American chocolate makers who are daring to think outside the chocolate box.

Lillie Belle Farms offers over twenty different kinds of truffles and specialty chocolates. Even better, many of the ingredients for the delectable, artisan confections are grown right at the farm. According to Jeff, "There are few things in life more satisfying than nurturing a food product from seed to stomach; except maybe a good piece of chocolate. Combine the two and you have a recipe for a sweet life full of rewards. This is what I am doing at Lillie Belle Farms."

Lillie Belle Farms produces organic: red raspberries, golden raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and wild blackberries which are all hand picked. Jeff explains, "Taking the fruits of my labors and preserving them, I custom blend the finest Belgian, Venezuelan, and French couvertures to balance the fruits." Jeff has forged alliances with local farmers and dairy producers to locate and use the freshest ingredients and adamantly refuses to add preservatives to his chocolates.

Jeff, who got an early start in the kitchen, says, "Combining years of culinary knowledge absorbed from the many restaurants I had worked in over the last twenty years, I set about to learn the finer art of chocolate. Much trial and error, many expensive experiments, and a net gain of at least fifteen pounds on my already large frame, all combined one day into the perfect batch of chocolates."

Lillie Belle Farms have certainly been recognized for that perfect batch and others that follow. Wine Spectator writer, Sam Gugino, found the Raspberry Butterfly Cordial completely satisfying and included it in his article on artisan chocolates written last November. Soon after, Wine Country Living decided that, "Decadence has new meaning. . ." regarding Lillie Belle wares. Northwest Palate declared them, "The Belle of the Berries!" The accolades abound and continue to multiply with recent articles in Portland's Oregonian, Oregon Business Magazine, and Chile Pepper Magazine.

One taste of Lillie Belle Farms chocolate and it is easily understood why Jeff Shepherd is among the select, emerging chocolatiers in the country. Three long years of hard work are producing not only delectable results in the kitchen, but in the marketplace as well. Lillie Belle Farms is definitely a sweet spot worth watching.