About Emily McCracken

Hi there, I'm Emily 👋🏻 I am a former chocolate artist turned full time elementary art educator!

How do you even get started making chocolate art?

Good question! Sometimes I ask myself the same thing. Believe it or not, for me it all began with not fitting in at art school and a hazelnut truffle.

I started my artistic journey at Montserrat College of Art, majoring in Illustration. However, my true passion lay beyond 2D art. During an illustration assignment, I dared to sculpt my project in clay, and to my surprise, my professor encouraged me to embrace this new direction. Suddenly, I was the messy, clay-covered artist in a sea of traditional illustrators, and I loved every moment of it.

The Sweet Breakthrough

After graduation, I faced the daunting task of finding work that utilized my sculpting skills. Armed with a stack of resumes, I wandered Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, feeling disheartened. Just when I needed a boost, a hazelnut truffle from Lake Champlain Chocolates caught my eye. The employee suggested I apply for a part-time job, and soon, I was managing the factory store, surrounded by the sweet scent of chocolate.

Getting Creative

While managing the store was wonderful, I craved more. My boss saw potential in my 3D art skills and encouraged me to explore chocolate sculpting. After attending several chocolate classes, I was hooked! I realized I wanted to become a chocolate sculptress, with dreams of showcasing my work on the Food Network.

Twenty Years of Working with Chocolate

For 11 years, I honed my craft at Lake Champlain Chocolates, seizing every opportunity to learn and teach about chocolate. I created eye-catching displays, participated in local art festivals, and studied competitors on Food Network shows. My passion flourished as I taught classes and shared my love for chocolate with others.

Career Highlights

A sculpture featured in the Sweet Tooth: The Art of Dessert exhibit at Shelburne Museum
An appearance on Food Network's Outrageous Chocolate special
Custom sculptures for renowned figures like Wynton Marsalis and Ben & Jerry
Presentations at the Vermont Chocolate Show