Our Story
When I was a kid, there was no better place to go than my Grandmother's house in Philly. Her house wasn't just filled with the typical ``Grandma's House`` child-spoiling cupcake supply. Her house was full of chocolate! I'm talking hand-dipped marshmallows, honeycomb candies, bittersweet nuts, and orange buttercreams - you name it! It was a child's dream.
It wasn't until much later that I really learned the history behind the 'Family Sweet-Tooth'. I learned that my great, great, great uncle Al was a candy-maker by trade. He worked for Wunderlee's Candy Company in Philadelphia, PA. Taking after him, my great grandmother, Mabel, made her living as a chocolatier for Mr. Wannamaker, in his famed department store. For many years, Mabel would only share her secrets with her daughter, Mary. The two of them cooked up the most marvelous confectionery concoctions imaginable. Through the late 60’s and 70’s, Mary continued the tradition opening up Waltz’s Candies, known to me as “Grandmother’s Aggressive Side Hustle”.
When I was 19 years old, my mother, her sister, and I traveled to Philadelphia to learn from the Master. We watched, taking careful notes, as she showed us how to temper the chocolate by hand; how to test it; how to work it; even how to taste it. She showed us how to make her famous butter creams on a cold stone table. We even learned how to coat the pieces and finish with that perfect swirl on top. ``You're a Natural!`` she said to me. ``Your great grandmother would be proud.``
That was over 24 years ago. I’ve taken all I’ve learned from her and added my own twists and trademark moves. In 2016, I invented and perfected my in-house, lightening fast custom chocolate mold making system. We can now do fine, artfully designed chocolates which my dear grandmother could never have imagined! Whether you’d like some chocolate business cards, some logo chocolate bars for your store, or a special client gift that will blow their minds, I have you covered. These are exciting times. Today, old world confectionery quality and care come together to meet art, technology, and innovation. Let’s talk. Until then, be well and remember life is sweet.
-Kelly
P.S. Grandmother, Mary Waltz Doyle, passed away recently, in January 2020. She went on to join her brand new husband. They were married 2 months before he passed. Yes, I’m serious. I couldn’t be more grateful to her for all she taught me about love, life, and chocolate.