Gary Guittard

Gary Guittard is fourth generation San Franciscan, who grew up in a chocolate
factory on the waterfront of San Francisco. When Gary Guittard talks about
chocolate, is with a passion and purpose that is infectious. For him, chocolate is not
just one of life’s most delightful culinary treats, it is his life - a life to which he was
born as a fourth-generation member of a family that has been making chocolate in
America since 1868.

As a former chairman of the Chocolate Manufacturers Association, Guittard faced
intense media scrutiny when child labor issues arose in 2001. Having familiarity
with various cocoa-growing regions in the world, he helped mobilize the industry in
addressing allegations that threatened the very foundation of the chocolate
manufacturing industry. During his tenure as chairman, he oversaw the
establishment of the world Cocoa Foundation, which evolved from ACRI, previously
part of CMA.

Under his guidance, Guittard Chocolate has continued to thrive, pushing innovations
in product, industry and sustainability. Guittard is an industry leader in his efforts to
promote sustainability of the environment of cocoa growing regions and the well-
being cocoa workers. In 2007, he led the fight against the proposal to add vegetable
fat to the chocolate be establishing a grass root petition and website, “Don’t Mess
With Our Chocolate.” The petition garnered international support and the proposal
was eventually dropped. He is a former chairman of the National Confectioners
Association Chocolate Council. He is a founding member of Heirloom Cacao
Preservation Group. He is a recipient of the acclaimed Candy Industry Kettle Award,
the Fine Chocolate Industry Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the Western
Candy Conference Havery Barrett Award, An inductee into the candy Hall of Fame
and Specialty Food Hall of Fame.

Gary Guittard is committed to the chocolate he produces his fellow workers,
customers, suppliers, farmers, the industry as a whole and mentoring Guittard
Chocolates 5th Generation.