Ask members what they value most about Coastal Encinitas Rotary, and you’ll hear many answers. Service. Friendship. Fellowship. Purpose. But there’s another benefit that’s easy to overlook—the opportunity to continually learn from remarkable people in our own community.
Throughout the year, our club is introduced to nonprofit leaders, community advocates, business owners, educators, and innovators who share their experiences, challenges, and successes. Occasionally, we even step outside our regular meeting room for a behind-the-scenes look at an organization that helps make North County such a special place to live. A visit to Chuao Chocolatier is a perfect example.
Many of us know Chuao for its imaginative chocolate bars, but the story behind the company is every bit as compelling as the chocolate itself.
Chef Michael Antonorsi shared his journey from earning an engineering degree and an MBA to pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a chocolatier. That dream eventually led him to one of France’s most prestigious culinary schools, where he mastered the art of chocolate making before returning to build a business rooted in North County. What began with a retail store in Encinitas has grown into a nationally recognized brand while intentionally remaining family owned.
One of the most memorable lessons had nothing to do with chocolate.
Michael spoke about wanting to honor his Venezuelan heritage by using the original names of the chocolates that inspired him. As the business grew, however, he realized American customers struggled to pronounce and remember those names. To succeed, he had to understand his audience and adapt without losing the heart of his story. It was a thoughtful lesson in entrepreneurship, communication, and knowing when to embrace change while remaining true to your values.
Touring the production floor offered an entirely different perspective. Wearing hairnets, members followed the chocolate-making process from production and packaging to cooling, storage, and shipping. Seeing the craftsmanship, precision, and teamwork behind every bar created a new appreciation for something that often seems so simple.
And yes…there was chocolate.
Among the chocolates we sampled was the Firecracker bar, whose subtle chipotle kick delivered exactly the surprise its name promised. We also discovered the creativity behind flavors such as Triple Nut Temptation, Potato Chip, Salted Chocolate Crunch, Honeycomb, Spicy Maya, and Pretzel Toffee Twirl. Michael explained that naming each chocolate is one of his favorite parts of the creative process because every name helps tell the story of what is inside.
Experiences like this remind us that one of the greatest benefits of Rotary membership is the opportunity to meet extraordinary people, hear their stories, and continue learning from the community around us. Every speaker, every tour, and every conversation broadens our perspective and enriches our understanding of the people and organizations that make our region unique.
That spirit of curiosity and lifelong learning is one of the many reasons Coastal Encinitas Rotary is such a rewarding club to be part of.
We are grateful to Chef Michael Antonorsi, his family, and the entire Chuao team for opening their doors, sharing their journey, and providing an experience that perfectly illustrates one of the many benefits of belonging to Coastal Encinitas Rotary.
