The Peninsula has a new micro batch organic chocolate shop

When local Menlo Park chef, Michael Sigmon, visited a farmers market four years ago and found a stall selling bespoke chocolates, he was inspired to craft his own chocolate from scratch. Sigmon, who is an industry veteran having served in esteemed establishments such as Fearrington House in North Carolina, the Sacramento Kings' own Chris Webber's private kitchen, and his personal Windmill Café in Santa Cruz, was keen to embark on a new endeavor. He says, “I’ve spent considerable time in restaurant kitchens. This is a change my body needed.”

Now, he runs Minée Chocolate, purveyors of five sorts of bean-to-bar chocolates and coffee beans, available at Sigona’s Markets in Palo Alto and Redwood City as well as at Willows Market in Menlo Park. Sigmon obtains his cacao from an organic co-operative situated in Ecuador. According to him, these beans produce a rich chocolate flavor with hints of tropical fruit, presenting an aromatic essence reminiscent of a warm day in the jungle. He then painstakingly grinds these beans over five days, resulting in an organic European-styled chocolate that is velvety in texture, reasonably priced at $6.

The chocolate bar packaging features delightful artistic sketches that honor various women. For instance, the milk chocolate bar portrays Sigmon’s mom, Marsha, holding a glass of milk as she loves milk chocolate. Minée owes its name to a combination of Sigmon’s own name, Michael, and his partner and co-conspirator, Renée Fadiman, the offspring of distinguished personalities — Oscar-nominated documentary maker Dorothy and psychedelics researcher, James Fadiman.

Their forthcoming chocolate innovation, a white chocolate bar infused with coconut and caramel named after Dorothy, is slated for a springtime release. Minée Chocolate (and coffee) can be bought online or at Sigona’s Market (with addresses on Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, and Middlefield Road, Redwood City) as well as Willows Market (situated on Middlefield Road, Menlo Park).