Our Journey
Leaving behind a 15-year career as a trial lawyer wasn’t easy, especially as a single mom. But sometimes, change isn’t a choice—it’s a calling. For me, that calling was chocolate. What began as a creative refuge after long days in court soon became a passion for blending food and art. By 2014, it had grown into a small side hustle. By 2016, CocoVaa Chocolatier had taken on a life of its own, transforming into a full-fledged business and being officially branded.
I pursued professional training at École Chocolat, Valrhona in France, and ICAM in Italy, and even to this day, I continue training, continuously learning from world-renowned experts. In 2016, I invested everything—my savings and retirement—into building my first chocolate lab. By 2018, I opened our first brick-and-mortar shop, and today, we’re expanding into a facility we proudly own. My family and I have weathered many challenges with our business, surviving a global pandemic while scaling as an entirely independent, woman-owned enterprise. In 2020, my son even attended school in our chocolate shop during the COVID-19 lockdown. Our little factory has become a sanctuary of joy and growth—not just for us, but for our cherished customers.
CocoVaa has earned global acclaim for its innovative, nuanced flavors. Each piece tells a story inspired by our travels, experiences, and the connections we’ve made along the way. With a place on the Academy of Chocolate Awards’ Roll of Honour Board, and a James Beard semi-finalist nomination, CocoVaa has grown with intention and authenticity.
CocoVaa isn’t just about chocolate—it’s about creating sensory experiences that celebrate the richness and complexity of the world. It’s about fostering spaces of joy and connection, using food and flavor as a bridge to bring people together and transcend the divisions that too often separate us. None of this could have been accomplished without our loyal customer base. We thank you.
Syovata Edari
Chocolate Ethics & Alchemy Meet
At CocoVaa Chocolatier, we believe that chocolate is more than an indulgence—it is a vehicle for storytelling and a means of preserving history. Each confection we create reflects a journey through the origins of its ingredients and the cultures that inspire its flavors. We view it as the responsibility of every chef to explore and honor the foodscapes from which their ideas and ingredients are drawn, ensuring the stories of Indigenous and traditional cultures remain alive and vibrant.
Our chocolates are crafted with the finest ingredients, including prioritizing single-origin couvertures made in the countries of origin, ensuring that a greater share of revenues supports the communities where cacao is grown. Our flavor profiles are inspired by a tapestry of global influences, as well as our local community. From saffron-infused bonbons to blueberry pie bonbons, each creation is designed to introduce you to the richness of global flavors in a meaningful, unforgettable way.
We are committed to using the freshest ingredients available, without artificial preservatives, and sourcing ethically and locally whenever possible. Globally sourced cacao, Wisconsin cream and butter, along with partnerships with local producers form the foundation of our value chain. By investing in our community and supporting sustainable economies, we aim to foster connections that extend beyond a box of chocolate, preserving the stories, traditions, and cultures that shape the food we create. At CocoVaa, every piece of chocolate is a story worth telling.
