Aug 9, 2013

Shop Caters to Chocoholics, from Bacon-Covered to JalapenoBy Camille C. SpencerSouthTampa.Patch.com

Hyde Park, FL – With walls adorned with brightly-colored candy collages, giraffes and abstract prints, it’s hard for some patrons to remember that they came to Ashworth Artisan Chocolate to satisfy their sweet tooth.

The merging of art and chocolate – some of it layered with notes of lavender or hiding pieces of bacon – is one proprietor Steven Ashworth is proud of, hoping to display his own work in 2014. In the meantime, we caught up with Ashworth to talk all things chocolate at his business, 1605 W. Snow Avenue in Hyde Park Village.

On how he got involved in the chocolate business: “I went to college in Savannah, Georgia, to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). I graduated with a Bachelors in fine arts and graphic design. I started working for a family that owned the candy stores on River Street. I started baking chocolate, fudge, pralines and turtles during my college years, and stayed with them for six years. I left them and started working for Godiva chocolates for 14 years, making chocolate, managing and training. I opened (here) in 2007. I always wanted to own my own business.”

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