Pictured are the mayor and city commission with sisters Susana and Isabel, family members and staff.
Photos: SOMI Magazine
Sisters Susana and Isabel enjoy their conversation with the mayor and members of the city commission.
Over the last decade, chocolate has shifted from being seen mainly as a sweet treat to being appreciated more like wine, coffee, or craft beer. Driving this rise in appreciation is that consumers are learning about the difference between mass-produced chocolate and bean-to-bar, single-origin chocolate. There is a focus on quality and craftsmanship. Just like specialty coffee, fine chocolate emphasizes cacao origin, terroir, and production techniques. Small-batch makers highlight notes of fruit, spice, or floral flavors, encouraging tasting as an art. Packaging, branding, and boutique experiences elevate chocolate from “snack” to “experience.” Fine chocolate is positioned as a luxury lifestyle product, similar to fine wines, with market trends showing the premium chocolate segment is growing faster than mass-market chocolate, driven by millennials, Gen Z, and urban consumers seeking authenticity and indulgence.
CREATING THE EXPERIENCE HERE IN SOMI
Venezuelan sisters Susana and Isabel have spent more than a decade perfecting their chocolatier skills, applying artisanal and European techniques blended with premium Venezuelan cacao and chocolate and showcase their award-winning chocolate at Garcia Nevett Chocolatier de Miami which they opened in 2018.
Isabel, a former investigative journalist in Caracas, made a career change and began working with chocolate fifteen years ago. The concept was then called Cacao Art. Susana, a former architect, moved to South Miami first, followed by Isabel in 2012. The sisters worked out of a commercial kitchen, selling their bonbons in markets and shops. Appreciating their roots and the principles which define their philosophy, they rebranded from Cacao Art to Garcia Nevett Chocolatiers de Miami, reflecting both of their parents’ last names and their identity.
Over the few years having their boutique store, they have noted that people are becoming savvier regarding fine chocolate. Their well-attended “Introduction to Chocolate” classes held at the store, featuring tastings and a healthy side of cacao-based education is building that appreciation. The sisters are proselytizing for fine chocolates, gaining converts and other evangelists.
The choice to use Venezuelan bean-to-bar couverture is also purpose built. Susana notes her study of cacao led the determination that Venezuelan cacao was the best choice for their bonbons, and which perfectly reflects their heritage.
In their chocolate boutique, the sisters offer self-indulgent delights and sophisticated gifts.
As stated on their website, Susana’s and Isabel’s mission is “to strive to celebrate Venezuelan and Latin American cacao and fine chocolate infusing them with the flavors of South Florida.
“We want to expand the reach of our company to be able to bring our award-winning chocolates and confections to a larger audience and to help them appreciate the quality of fine chocolate.
“To become the chocolate brand associated with Miami both in and out of the city. We want to reflect Miami glamor and tropical attitude in our product offering, creating for our customers a sense of oasis and exclusivity.
“To provide our customers with a warm and friendly experience, enhancing their enjoyment of our chocolate products and making it easy for them to work with us on their gifts and projects.
“To create for our employees a safe and comfortable environment, where they feel at ease and look forward to growing with the company.”
