A chocolatier or a chocolate candy maker is a person who makes confections out of chocolate. Those confections, or candies, include everything from solid chocolate designs to truffles, chocolate-covered fruits and specialty items such as chocolate flowerpots and chocolate champagne bottles. In a way, being a chocolatier is like being an artist. A lot of creativity goes into the work.

Tasks:

1. Check the quantity and quality of received products
2. Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards
3. Be responsible for tempering all types of chocolate using several skills to create all types of moulded or hand shaped confections
4. Decorate confections using all types of decorating materials (spray gun, transfer sheets, writing skills on confections…etc)
5. Prepare ingredients and assist with chocolate production
6. Carefully handle and package the chocolates
7. Take initiative at work and complete tasks
8. Recognize and adhere to quality standards on a consistent basis

Key skills for chocolatier:

• Artistic abilities
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods
• Having extensive knowledge involving the history, flavour, texture and other properties of chocolate in order to properly create desserts, candies, sculptures and decorative pieces
• Basic knowledge of how to properly temper and mould all types of chocolates

Average salary (2014):

United Kingdom: £13,650 per year
United States of America: $10.48 per hour
Australia: AU$27,000 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Chocolatiers often need an associate degree from a culinary program or a certificate from a specialized institute. You may also pursue a bachelor's degree in culinary studies. Completing an internship with a chocolate manufacturer during your studies may prepare you for immediate employment after graduation. Some aspiring chocolatiers volunteer in high school or college to learn the business.