Georgia Grown Profile: Chocolate South

Originally published in the Oct. 2, 2013, issue

Chocolatier incorporates Georgia-grown ingredients

By Morgan Smith, Market Bulletin intern 

Amy Stankus began her career as an architect, but her passion for chocolate soon led her down a completely different path. Nine years ago, Stankus made the decision to quit her architectural job and pursue what she was passionate about: chocolate.

“I’ve been in love with chocolate since I first tasted it,” said Stankus, owner of Chocolate South.

 

One year ago, Stankus decided to open her own chocolate shop. Thus, Chocolate South was born. The chocolatier began to experiment and try to find the right combination for the perfect chocolate.

"The more and more I worked with chocolate, I was hooked,” Stankus said.

Chocolate South, an artisan chocolate boutique, focuses on Southern ideas and tries to incorporate locally grown Georgia products in its recipes. Located in west midtown in Atlanta, Chocolate South is open Monday through Saturday.

Chocolate South’s Georgia Grown membership is unlike most others. Its membership was a gift given by the Georgia Department of Agriculture after winning the Flavor of Georgia Contest in March. Their Georgia Peach Tea Bonbons took the overall grand prize at the competition, which awarded them with a Georgia Grown gold-level membership. 

“It was a great honor to receive a Georgia Grown membership. We are very proud to be Georgia Grown,” Stankus said.

Chocolate South’s unique bonbons are created with a tea that is derived from Georgia’s own peaches from Lane Southern Orchards, another Georgia Grown member.