-
On October 1Katrina Markoff answered the question:
What is Katrina Markoff’s new chocolate line Wild Ophelia all about?
It’s basically what I’m calling an American road trip through chocolate. It’s bringing together chocolate and the local farmer’s movement that’s been popular for some time. We’re working with different food artisans and esteemed farms that are doing really great things. The line named after this girl Ophelia who I kind of made up as a spirited younger sister to Vosges — younger and maybe a little bit louder. There’s definitely a female aspect to her voice. She’s animated, and I think she’ll be a really good positive role model for women and young girls because I don’t think they have too many. It’s all kind of an interesting play on animation and chocolate and sustainable agriculture. And it has a strong soul and sort of a bigger purpose.
Wild Ophelia is meant to compete with Ghirardelli and Lindt in the premium chocolate space for mass because I didn’t want to put Vosges in that range. I wanted to keep Vosges more precious so I decided to launch this new brand. So we’re telling a strong flavor story that’s rooted in America. -
On September 27Katrina Markoff answered the question:
What are Katrina Markoff’s favorite Chicago attractions?
I love taking people to Devon Street because I love the variety of shops and restaurants. You can go to India Sari Palace to get saris or you can get henna done or fresh coconut or fresh pomegranate juice. What’s special about Chicago is all of its really cool ethnic pockets, and I love to take people to see that. On Broadway and Argyle Street, there’s a place [Ba Le] that sells Vietnamese sandwiches. Those sandwiches are amazing.
Lake Michigan is really nice; it always seems to be a bit crowded. It’s really nice if you go south of the city center where it’s beautiful and there’s less density of people. -
On September 27Katrina Markoff answered the question:
What does Katrina Markoff like to bring home from her travels?
I’m always bringing back ingredients. I also like bringing back some kind of object of art whether it’s pottery or a painting. Our stores have a lot of different eclectic items in them. When I was in Turkey I had artisans hand-paint designs on nine different Turkish vases. I have some in New York and some in the Beverly Hills boutique. I try to bring back whatever I think is culturally interesting about the area I’m visiting and it often ends as an object of art in one of the stores. -
On September 27Katrina Markoff answered the question:
Where does Katrina Markoff shop when traveling?
I just try to find information from the concierge at the hotel. Who the most significant artist in the area? Where is the best place for local crafts? Whether it’s ceramics or paintings or rugs, fabrics, linens — whatever the area is known for, I find it out. And I find out where the best food markets are, too. Who is making beer? Is there anyone making wine? Is there anyone making cheese? I just try to find out who is the best at making what.
Katrina Markoff
Tastemaker
Chocolatier, Entrepreneur
Chicago
Entrepreneur and chocolate whiz Katrina Markoff is the founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, a luxury line of chocolates. Her culinary journey began when she left the United States for Paris, specifically Le Cordon Bleu. She then traveled the globe seeking different food experiences, from El Bulli in Spain to Southeast Asian street food. Markoff returned home and soon opened her first chocolate boutique in Chicago. Her luxury chocolates combine unusual ingredients (spices, flowers, roots, herbs) from all over the world; she has boutiques in New York, Las Vegas and Beverly Hills, as well as an agro-tourism center in Belize. Wild Ophelia, her lower-priced line of fine chocolates, launched in 2011.
