How Chef-Led Customization Is Disrupting The Chocolate Industry - Brandon Olsen And Michael Held - Co-Founders - As We Do Chocolate Company

There’s a hidden supply chain crisis happening in fine dining right now - and it’s something as simple, and as essential, as chocolate.

Brandon Olsen is a world-class chef and chocolatier known for blending high-end culinary artistry with bold, modern creativity. He trained at some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The French Laundry under Thomas Keller, before becoming a standout force in Toronto’s culinary scene.

Brandon is the founder of CXBO Chocolates and co-founder of La Banane, where his visually striking and technically precise desserts - most famously the “Ziggy Stardust Disco Egg” - earned widespread acclaim.

Now, Brandon is making a pivotal shift from chocolatier to chocolate maker. As co-founder of As We Do Chocolate Company ( https://aswedochocolates.com/ ), he is stepping upstream in the value chain - taking control of the full bean-to-bar process to reimagine how chocolate is designed, produced, and delivered for professional kitchens.

Michael Held is a seasoned entrepreneur and capital strategist with nearly 35 years of experience building and scaling companies across industries. He is best known as the founder of LifeSpeak Inc., a digital mental health platform he grew from inception to approximately $50 million in annual recurring revenue before taking it public at a valuation of roughly half a billion dollars.

With a background spanning law, management consulting, and high-growth technology ventures - including roles at Monitor Group and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP - Michael brings deep expertise in scaling operations, capital formation, and strategic growth.

At As We Do Chocolate, Michael is focused on building the infrastructure and operational backbone required to create something rare in food: a scaled, chef-driven manufacturing platform designed to serve the evolving needs of North American hospitality.

#ChocolateIndustry #BeanToBar #FoodSupplyChain #ChefLife #PastryChef #FoodInnovation #HospitalityIndustry #RestaurantBusiness #FoodTech #SupplyChainCrisis #CulinaryArts #GourmetDesserts #FineDining #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory #FoodManufacturing #MadeInNorthAmerica #LuxuryFood #ChocolateLovers #KitchenSecrets #BehindTheScenesFood #DisruptingIndustry #ScalingCraft #FoodBusiness #FutureOfFood