Jeffrey G. Stern is a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine culinary school in Gaithersburg, MD, where he graduated with honors. He also holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies from New York University and a M.Sc. from the University of Texas at Austin. With over a decade of experience in the culinary field, and over six years in the chocolate industry, he has significant hands-on experience. Based in Quito, Ecuador for the past 5 years, he owns and operates an artisan chocolate business with both local and international clients. Living in Ecuador, the world’s largest producer of fine aroma cacao, has allowed Jeff to establish relationships with cacao growers, processors, and others at all levels of the chocolate supply chain. He is fluent in Spanish and knows the ins and outs of the cacao trade in Ecuador through firsthand experience.