I had never heard of the artisanal chocolate brand Orfeve until I had a chance encounter with Max Büsser ahead of a trip to Geneva. When I told him the M.A.D. Gallery was at the top of my list to visit, he gave me his card and we emailed back and forth. I off-handedly mentioned something he had said about his love for chocolate on a podcast, so what was waiting for me and my travel companions at the gallery but several bars of Orfeve chocolate.
I have the stereotypical American palette when it comes to chocolate—Hershey’s, Reese’s and Snickers are all perfectly enjoyable to me. But even I was able to taste the difference, a purity of flavor versus a generic sugar smack in the face. At the time, Orfeve wasn’t available in the U.S. or online, so I brought the bars back home and enjoyed them, and then I forgot about the brand.
Then I saw on Instagram today that FP Journe has collaborated with them to create custom flavors of chocolates to be enjoyed in his boutiques. It makes perfect sense that Mr. Journe would not only go out of his way to create a unique experience for his guests by way of confections (which for others has become more of a stock-standard sales habit than an expression of a brand and its values), but that he would select such dedicated artisans to work with.
This may not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but I think it’s yet another example of a man (and brand) that demands uniqueness and inventiveness in everything they touch. Very, very cool.