Lillie Belle Farms: Chocolate Passion

Oregon Gourmet Chocolates: If passion was a thing....it would be this thing. Southern Oregon's Lillie Belle Farms chocolate creations are as intensely beautiful as they are sensually delicious. Chef/owner Jeff Shepherd embodies the traits of his award-winning chocolate creations: intensity and excellence.

A writer from Cocoaroma, the international magazine for Chocolate Connoisseurs, describes Jeff this way. "I think what artists--especially fiercely individualistic artisans like Jeff who create truly original work--are really searching for is a connection, a shared experience with their audience."

Jeff agrees with that assertion. "That's the most important aspect to what we do; how does it make you feel? When someone tells me 'that was amazing' I am always humbled and, truth be told, a bit shy about it."

Jeff began creating his chocolate fantasies over 6 years ago. Starting with the raspberry truffle, he worked out of his home, selling to farmer's markets until another southern Oregon artisan food award winner--The Rogue Creamery--tried his chocolates and invited him to sell his creations at their retail store. Everything was going swell until one day Jeff's wife found chocolate on their kitchen ceiling....and she laid down the law. The company needed to move the production end of the business out of their home.

Jeff, being the smart husband that he is, made the move to a house in Jacksonville, Oregon. That worked well for another year and a half. And then the national press starting noticing Jeff's creations. In 2003, the Wine Spectator magazine ran an article on Lillie Belle Farms and the rest is history. The chocolate making and retail portion of the business moved to Central Point, Oregon (about a 10 minute drive north of Medford, Oregon) and is located right next door to their friends at the Rogue Creamery.

If you love people who create foods with passion, Lille Belle Farms' chocolates are for you. You can order from their website or call 1-888-899-2022. Retail location is at: 211 N Front St, Central Point, OR 97502.

Photos courtesy Jeff Shepherd, chef/owner, Lillie Belle Farms