Growing up in Ohio, Will Gustwiller didn’t particularly dream of becoming a chocolatier. In fact, he was a natural artist who was interested in all things crafty despite the fact that he cooked daily for his family.
Gustwiller’s interests in the arts industry eventually led him to San Diego State University where he earned a masters in sculpture. But a masters in sculpture limited his career options, he said.
Instead, Gustwiller decided to turn his hobby of making chocolate into a career.
“It just seemed like a chocolate hobby could be turned into a professional hobby,” said Gustwiller, 38.
His idea of creating a career out of the beloved sweet turned out to be a good one.
Gustwiller is the founder of Eclipse Chocolate, a chocolate-based company that offers more than 100 different confections. His full-service restaurant in South Park has become known for infusing either chocolate, caramel and vanilla into every dish. Even the water served is infused with vanilla bean.
He said he chose to open the restaurant, not just for himself, but to allow the public to explore chocolate in a different way.
“As an artist, the concept of form following function was really driven into my head,” Gustwiller said. “I use chocolate as a canvas that everyone could understand but present different experiences they haven’t had before.”
Thirteen years after opening his business, Gustwiller will now share his love with the rest of the country. He competed on the Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games.” The episode, which will air Feb. 12, will show four contestants, including Gustwiller, create sweet and savory dishes.
Gustwiller, who was asked to be on the show, described the experience as a “unique opportunity.”
“It was certainly exciting,” Gustwiller said. “It’s fast pace, a little stressful but certainly an interesting experience.”
Despite this being a highlight in his career, Gustwiller said he has more plans for 2017. His company will launch a chocolate bar line for Jason Mraz’s food company and he plans to allow the public to design their own chocolate bars.
The build-a-bar design concept will be available online where anyone can create their own chocolate bars. The bars will then be made at Eclipse Chocolate and will be sent to those who order.
“We’ve never quite had an opportunity to be so approachable to most people,” Gustwiller said. “It will be interesting to see how people respond to their own custom bars.”
The new concept falls in line with Gustwiller’s desire to make his art, chocolate, available to the masses.
“Chocolate is much more consumable than art,” Gustwiller said. “For me, it’s not neccessarily about paying the bills —it’s about how people respond to the craft.”
Viewers can watch Gustwiller’s episode on the Food Network at 8 p.m. Feb. 12. The restaurant will also show the episode on Feb. 18 during a multi-course dinner tasting.
For more information, go to EclipseChocolate.com.
