To craft the finest chocolate from farm to bar, you need the right people. Skilled experts who understand all the ins and outs of cacao production and chocolate manufacturing. People who know chocolate.

That’s why Ray Major is our Chocolate Maker.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone with deeper knowledge and experience. From the Ivory Coast to the Netherlands to North America to Brazil, Ray has spent over 45 years working in every facet of the world of chocolate.

At Hershey, Ray did it all. He ran manufacturing operations in Brazil, led cocoa sourcing for the artisan brands, and managed global sustainability and crop research programs in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Ray was named an official Hershey Fellow in 2010.

Ray also served the chocolate industry through his private consultancy. He advised everyone in the supply chain – from cocoa producers to chocolate makers. There he provided expertise on cocoa cultivation, processing and fine chocolate making.

At Scharffen Berger we won the chocolate maker lottery. We’re fortunate and grateful to have Raymond as our principal Chocolate Maker. Ray directs our cacao sourcing, sustainability and innovation efforts – guiding us as Scharffen Berger writes the next chapter of chocolate.

When Ray isn’t up to his neck in chocolate, he’s following his wife, Patricia around Europe, studying art and history. Or, he’s fly fishing.