Katrina Markoff

Katrina Markoff, the Owner and Founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, is a daring soul. Katrina Markoff made Fortune’s list of 40 under 40 this year and Inc’s 26 Most Fascinating Entrepreneurs. An Indiana native with Macedonian roots, she’s that rare combination of artist and entrepreneur.

The story began inside a small ranch house beside the main highway in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Raised with modest means by a single entrepreneur mother, who always told her if you can dream it, you can live it.

Markoff, went on to study chemistry and psychology at Vanderbilt University, and just days following her graduation realized her true passion was cooking and committed to following her heart wherever it led her. She boarded the next plane for Paris to pursue her dream of culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu (L’Ecole de Cuisine et Patisserie). She garnered Le Grande Diplôme in Cuisine and Patisserie as well as degrees in Oeneology. From Paris she moved to Spain and apprenticed alongside Ferran and Albert Adria at the famed, El Bulli. Continuing her travels she began a 9-month sojourn around the world studying food. Using her palate as her guide, Markoff perused the local “street food” hopping from stand to market exploring everything from the open-air spice stalls of Vietnam to the floating markets of Bangkok. Working in kitchens as she traveled, she was most intrigued with studying the indigenous cuisines in every land she walked: France, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Australia and more.

Upon her return to the States in 1998, she founded Vosges Haut-Chocolat with the concept of “Travel the World through Chocolate.” Using chocolate as a medium to tell stories of her travels, local people, artists, movements, religions, ingredients, music, culture and beyond. To aid in the telling of these stories Markoff has brought indigenous spices, scents, roots, flowers and lovelies to her chocolate collections to experience the story through chocolate and all the senses. Markoff believes by using the medium of chocolate to explore the many incredible cultures and artists of the world it will ultimately beget people to open their minds to new ideas.

Markoff’s innovation doesn’t stop at the chocolate.  In tune with Markoff’s green mission, Vosges utilizes 100% recycled materials for their packaging, powers their facility with 100% renewable energy and recently achieved organic certification. Markoff’s latest undertaking is the construction of a certified LEED sustainable chocolate manufacturing facility and lifestyle center.