Maplewood businessman named president of international organization

Kakao Chocolate owner and chief chocolatier, Brian Pelletier, has been inducted as the 2015-2016 president of the Retail Confectioners International (RCI) board of directors during RCI’s 95th annual convention in Brooklyn, New York, the RCI reported Thursday.

Kakao makes and sells its chocolate at 7272 Manchester Road in Maplewood, with other locations in St. Louis city and Clayton.

Pelletier has been an active member of RCI since 2009. What started in a windowless basement workshop has grown to three stores, 25 employees, and numerous local and national awards including “the best chocolate in St. Louis.” Kakao Chocolate hand-dips confections in small batches using only the finest all-natural ingredients, with no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sweeteners, according to the press release.

“Our involvement in RCI has been a huge benefit to Kakao, from the moment that we became a member and got involved,” Pelletier said.

“By helping with the marketing committee, participating on the board of directors, and serving as president, I’ve been able to meet great chocolatiers from across the country and around the world. We’ve learned a lot from other RCI members over the past few years, and hopefully have been able to share some of our ideas and successes with them as well,” he said.

Angie Burlison, executive director of RCI said she looks forward to working with Pelletier in the coming year, serving the needs of retail chocolate and candy makers.