Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Fogel.
Hi Benjamin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ben B Coco began with a simple idea: that chocolate could be treated with the same respect, creativity, and craftsmanship as fine art or wine. Our founder, Ben, trained with European chocolatiers and immersed himself in classical French techniques before opening Ben B Coco in Miami’s Wynwood district as a true bean-to-bar chocolate factory, meaning we control every step of the process, from sourcing cacao to the final finished piece.
What started as a small production space quickly evolved into something much more. Guests didn’t just want to buy chocolate, they wanted to understand it, taste it, and experience how it’s made. That curiosity shaped who we are today. Ben B Coco became both a chocolate atelier and an experiential space, where visitors can watch chocolate being crafted, participate in immersive workshops, and discover flavors from cacao origins around the world.
Over time, our hand-painted bon bons, signature chocolate bars, custom platters, and seasonal creations earned recognition from luxury brands, hospitality partners, and chocolate lovers alike. Today, Ben B Coco is known for its meticulous craftsmanship, artistic approach, and commitment to making everything entirely in-house, no shortcuts, no outsourcing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most creative and entrepreneurial journeys, the road hasn’t been entirely smooth and that’s been an important part of our growth. Building a true bean-to-bar chocolate factory comes with real challenges: sourcing high-quality cacao, mastering a highly technical craft, and maintaining consistency while producing everything by hand and entirely in-house.
There were moments early on where we had to choose between scaling quickly or staying true to our values. We chose the harder path, preserving craftsmanship, quality, and artistic integrity over shortcuts. That meant slower growth, long hours, and constant refinement of our process.
Another challenge was education. Many people are used to mass-produced chocolate, so part of our journey has been teaching guests why artisan chocolate tastes different, why it looks different, and why it’s worth taking the time to experience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ben B Coco?
Ben B Coco is an artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate atelier and experiential space based in Wynwood, Miami. At our core, we are both makers and storytellers. We don’t simply sell chocolate, we create it, teach it, and invite people to experience it from the inside out.
What sets us apart is that everything is made entirely in-house, under one roof. We source premium cacao, transform it into chocolate through our bean-to-bar process, and use it to craft hand-painted bon bons, chocolate bars, pâté de fruits, dragees, platters, and seasonal pieces. Every color, texture, and flavor is intentional, and no two pieces are ever exactly alike.
We are especially known for:
Hand-painted bon bons crafted using classical French techniques
Bean-to-bar chocolate bars, including artistic and marble designs
Custom chocolate platters and bespoke creations for private clients, brands, and events
Immersive chocolate workshops and tastings, where guests explore cacao origins and make their own chocolate
Beyond product, experience is central to who we are. Our space is designed so guests can watch chocolate being made in real time, engage directly with the process, and gain a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship. Education and transparency are just as important to us as flavor.
What we’re most proud of, brand-wise, is staying true to our values as we’ve grown. In a world of mass production, we’ve chosen the more demanding path, one rooted in patience, artistry, and integrity. Every decision, from sourcing to design to service, reflects that commitment.
What we want readers to know is that Ben B Coco is not just a chocolate shop, it’s a destination. A place where chocolate is treated as an art form, where tradition meets creativity, and where each piece tells a story meant to be shared.
What makes you happy?
What truly makes us happy is the community that has grown around Ben B Coco. From the very beginning, we’ve been supported by local neighbors, returning guests, creative collaborators, and partners who genuinely believe in what we’re building. That sense of shared enthusiasm and trust is incredibly meaningful to us.
We’re grateful for the partnerships we’ve formed along the way, from local businesses and hospitality groups to brands, event planners, and creatives who see chocolate not just as a product, but as an experience. These relationships allow us to collaborate, experiment, and push our craft in new and exciting directions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.benbcoco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benbcoco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577346903090#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@benbcoco
