What is "chocolatier"

n. A producer of chocolate.

A chocolatier is a person or company who makes confectionery from chocolate. Chocolatiers are distinct from chocolate makers, who create chocolate from cacao beans and other ingredients.

Professional chocolatiers study topics including:

• the history of chocolate
• modern techniques of cultivation and processing
• the chemistry of chocolate's flavors and textures
• chocolate tempering, dipping, decorating, and molding
• confectionery formulae based on ganache and/or fondant

A comprehensive course also covers:

• business management skills of marketing and production: operation of individual chocolateries is common in France, Belgium and many major cities.

Chocolatier is a casual strategy video game with action game elements, developed by Big Splash Games and published by PlayFirst. The game was released as a download on May 1, 2007 and was followed by CD-ROM release on September 27, 2007. Players assume the role of a young Chocolatier, who must navigate 14 cities around the globe while buying ingredients, manufacturing chocolates, and selling them to chocolate shops. Two modes of play are available: in story mode the player must rebuild an almost bankrupt chocolate empire and acquire 64 chocolate recipes from around the world; in free mode players start out with scant resources and must become successful chocolatiers.

Chocolatier was the first game developed by Big Splash Games, a trio of experienced video game designers, who remained employees whilst developing a prototype game in their spare time. This prototype was rejected by publishers, but after coming up with the premise of Chocolatier the team was signed-up by PlayFirst and completed the title. The game received a mostly positive reception: reviewers enjoyed the action mini-game which is played when chocolates are manufactured, and the game's graphics, sound, and Victorian-era presentation.