David Upchurch was raised in the rural South, David learned to appreciate farming and cooking from an early age.  By the time he began a degree in architecture he was a confident cook and baker.  During a year of study in Paris, France, David encountered more than urbane culture in an ancient city, he also encountered fine chocolate.  What is the structure of a wedding cake and why does it look like the Louvre palace? What is the magic of a simple rustic truffle?  History, science and art, architecture and chocolate, these became lifelong interests.

“Learn the rules like a pro so that you can break them like an artist.” -attributed to Pablo Picasso. 

2010 David enrolled in pastry courses at City College SF. Completing that program David was granted an internship at San Francisco Baking Institute with Michel Suas and his team.  These experiences gave David a foundational knowledge of pastry science and techniques.  He learned the rules.  Joining Michael Recchiuti Confections, David worked with Michael and his team for five years. This experience honed his production and technical skills.  Continuing to learn with chefs and artisans, traveling and experiencing chocolate within other cultures, all these nurture David’s view of chocolate.

The North West Chocolate Festival, 2017, here David encountered the Craft Chocolate movement.  With sensibilities towards social justice, agricultural sustainability, and craftsman ship, the movement resonates strongly with David.  With this community David has been able to collaborate with artisan makers, travel to cocoa regions and meet farmers in their communities.  This immersion in the culture of artisan chocolate is palpable in his work.  

David is a chocolatier who appreciates chocolate with a wide frame of knowledge.  The story of chocolate reflects our shared human history and the fragility of our shared planet.  Tasting and pairing events are opportunities to take deep dives into chocolate with him. He is eager to learn, share, and savor chocolate.  Exploring chocolate, the Food of the Gods, is his passion.