SECOND careers
SUPPLIER STORIES:
Having reached the peak of suc- cess
in their first vocations, these in food A
career changers took the leap into the specialty food industry. Read on to learn how the people behind Askinosie Chocolate, Dulcet Cuisine and Bone Doctors' BBQ found their second calling, proving that food isn't just for culinary pros. BY DENISE SHOUKAS
SHAWN ASKINOSIE, ASKINOSIE CHOCOLATE Before: Defense attorney After: Chocolatier with a charitable angle
fter 20 years as a defense attorney known for winning murder cases on a national level, Shawn Askinosie knew it was time to try something different. "In the middle of a very emotional murder trial, something in the back of my head knew I needed to make a change," says the founder and owner of Askinosie Chocolate, Springfield, Mo., a small-batch chocolatier known for its award-winning single- origin chocolates. But it wasn't for lack of passion for his chosen profession. "I loved the courtroom and the challenge, and it gave me the opportunity to work on issues of social justice," he says. "Now it's just a different arena." Askinosie had had no prior interest in cooking, but an encounter with a client changed his
course. "A client's mom gave me an apple pie recipe during jury deliberations. I just jumped in and started to use food and grilling as a hobby and stress reliever," he recalls. And then he did with cooking what he had done with cases. "I turned it into an obsession." As his hobby evolved, Askinosie began making cupcakes from premium dark choco-
late and considered opening a cupcake bakery. During a road trip in 2005, with a lot of time to think, he reviewed his options and realized that becoming a premium chocolate maker was his purpose. He set out to research and educate himself on every element of his new venture.
18 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE ❘ specialtyfood.com