Dude, Sweet Chocolate traces its roots to a dive bar just south of downtown Dallas, Lee Harvey's, where co-founders Chef Katherine Clapner and Redding May were regulars. Heading towards the holidays in 2008, he partnered with her to send unique artisan chocolates as client gifts while working with Merrill Lynch. After that, she ran with the idea - pushing her chocolate creations in summer heat at farmers markets and the like. Mid-year 2009, she brought up the idea of opening a store, and the first small kitchen/store was built-out and opened in early December that year.

At Dude, Sweet Chocolate we strive to differentiate ourselves by maintaining intense focus on the quality of the chocolates and not getting lost in the trends. At first glance, some ingredients and names may sound odd, but the end result is comforting and familiar. Kraft paper packaging, brown labeling, and simple, clean design shift attention to the chocolate, which stands on its own.

Another differentiating factor is the spectrum of unique flavor profiles she uses - savory to sweet, and everything in between. As an example, a couple of her best sellers are the Albatross blue cheese (award winning Rogue Creamery) and sea salt fudge, and our Fungus Amongus porcini and pumpkin seed toffee. These kinds of collaborations, done well, are the products of incredible culinary experience and vision - Katherine somehow makes it look easy.