Page 36 - Southern Oregon Magazine Summer 2021

buzz | tidbits

SCHARFFEN BERGER CHOCOLATE MAKER

RETURNS TO PRIVATE OWNERSHIP

CHARFFEN BERGER Chocolate Maker announces its return to pri-
Svate ownership, a seismic shift in the 25-year-history of America’s
original craft chocolate brand. The company was recently purchased
from The Hershey Company, where it has been held since 2005. The
brand and manufacturing relocated its West Coast homeland in a new
craft facility in Ashland. They are pleased to reclaim their bean-to-bar
roots with a founder mentality that ensures quality and innovation.

CEO Paul Cherrie brings entrepreneurial and leadership expertise,
and deep confectionery experience to his role. Joining Cherrie are Ray
Major as Master Chocolate Maker. With more than 45 years’ experi-
ence, he will build on his work with the brand while at The Hershey
Company. Engineer Wade Latz will call on his 35 years’ experience
with Hershey. Another engineer, Peter Lord, spent 40 years at Hershey,
where he designed some of the world’s largest and most advanced choc-
olate making systems. Chris Spirko will serve as CFO. Founder John
Scharffenberger is working closely with Cherrie and the new leadership
team.

Founded in 1996 by winemaker John Scharffenberger and fine food
enthusiast Robert Steinberg, SCHARFFEN BERGER led the American
bean-to-bar craft chocolate movement, searching throughout the world
for the finest beans, sourcing the finest cacao from the best Rainforest
Alliance Certified farms.

SCHARFFEN BERGER chocolate is sold at premium grocers, specialty
food shops across the U.S., and online at www.scharffenberger.com

KITCHEN STORE

CHANGES HANDS

THE POT RACK

he Pot Rack in Jacksonville has been a
Tmainstay on historic California Street for
decades and now it has a new owner. Former
Food Network Executive Producer, Erika Bishop took the reins last fall. Erika
purchased the successful business during the Covid-19 pandemic and just two
days after the Almeda Fire. “My grandma always said, ‘With chaos comes oppor-
tunity.’ She was right, and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to take this
thriving gem of a business into the future.”

No strangers to working in chaotic times, the Bishop family moved to Jacksonville
from New York City in 2002 following the devastation of 9/11. Erika had lived
in New York for a collective 25 years, working her way up the broadcasting lad-
der to become one of the pioneers responsible for the meteoric rise of the Food
Network. As an executive producer, Erika helped create multiple famous Chef
brands such as Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay. Now the Pot Rack is the food-
centric niche where Erika will dedicate her talents and energy. She plans to carry
the same great product lines and will add new gems regularly.

34 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2021