EASTON — Decadent caramel. Lavender-kissed dark chocolate ganache enrobed in white chocolate. A bouquet of exquisite, mouthwatering chocolate-marshmallow roses.
Elizabeth McConville Poussier and her husband Jean-Marc Poussier — a Parisian pastry chef originally from France — have transformed a hobby creating homemade chocolates meant to spread joy during the holiday season into a rocking new business: Rockhead Chocolates.
What makes Rockheads so special? They’re handmade, small-batch artisan chocolates, made right in the couple’s Easton kitchen, said Elizabeth, founder and owner of Rockhead Chocolates.
“We use high-end couverture chocolate, and we like to use traditional flavors, but we also like to add spices, floral notes and other unexpected flavors sometimes, and we finish them with whimsical designs,” Elizabeth said.
“There’s a unique chocolate experience in every box,” she said.
Their boxes of chocolate roses come in poetic hues and subtle flavors, including honey-rosemary and orange milk chocolates and rose-flavored white chocolate.
“Pillows of fluffy marshmallow and exquisite ganache fillings that melt in your mouth” make up the rose-shaped chocolates with the hashtag design, Elizabeth said.
And the polka-dotted hearts made from “lavender-kissed dark chocolate ganache enrobed in white chocolate” are “whimsical, pretty, and romantic,” she said.
The two spend hours listening and singing along to 80s soft rock while creating the luscious treats.
“We have fun,” said Jean-Marc, who is Rockhead Chocolates’ chief chocolatier.
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When the couple first started making the elegant, delectable, artistic confections for family and friends, the compliments and feedback were through the roof, and Elizabeth had a big idea: “Maybe this could be a business.”
The entrepreneur always wanted a passion project that was outside the box and would allow her to explore her creative visions. So she founded Rockhead Chocolates.
“My husband showed me how to make chocolate, and we decided to make them for our family one year for Christmas. And we never stopped. We’ve, over the years, refined our techniques and now have 15 standard recipes. Our chocolate is delicious and unique,” Elizabeth said.
The recipients of the chocolates wanted more, to the point where one friend bought 75 one-pound boxes to give to clients.
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Elizabeth knew she had a budding business under her sleeve and decided to go full throttle and follow her passions. She then did the necessary research to find out what it takes to start a food business. The entrepreneur took food and safety courses and earned ServSafe and food and allergen certificates.
“At the beginning, it was a bit messy for Elizabeth, but that’s a part of the process,” Jean-Marc said. “She’s made so much progress in chocolate-making that she puts me to shame. We work so awesome together.”
The couple works together to create and mold the confections, but Elizabeth handles the entire business side of things.
“She’s so meticulous and precise that she pushes quality over everything. I throw my hat to her,” Jean-Marc said.
So, where did the name “Rockhead” come from?
“We built our own fieldstone patio embedded in the ground, that accidentally was shaped like a man. And we call him Rockhead,” Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth never thought being an entrepreneur would be a 24-7 job, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“As I got older, I had a yearning for a few things, to be more creative, to be healthier, to get up and move around. I’ve always been someone who liked to design, draw, paint and build. I’ve always been into colors, and starting a business where I could be creative is a dream come true,” Elizabeth said.
So far, the business can be found locally at The Frippery Crafter’s Collective and Pops Fine Wine in Easton, but Elizabeth’s dream is to continue to expand their online presence and their presence in the Easton small business community.
