San Diego’s own Willy Wonka, Jim Lantry, sets the (chocolate) bar high this National Chocolate Day (Oct. 28) at Seabreeze Craft Chocolates.
What does learning the art of chocolate and lobbying for the state have in common? Always pushing for the most delectable outcome – time and time again. Jim Lantry, a San Diego local, was known in the community for his lifelong career as a California state lobbyist, dedicating his work to fighting for children with Autism. However, when COVID hit and the Capitol closed, Lantry began to reimagine how he wanted to serve his community in an even sweeter way.
In 2020, Lantry took to learning the art of making chocolate. Lantry was committed to not only perfecting the final product, but also advocating for farmer fair pay, ethical practices and sustainability from the moment the cacao is harvested.
Fast forward to 2022, Lantry officially went from lobbying to hobbying. What started as a passion project turned into the grand opening of San Diego’s only public chocolate factory and boutique, Seabreeze Craft Chocolates.
Located in the Piazza Carmel Plaza, patrons are invited into a unique, interactive experience. With a roaster to the right, and a melanger mixing machine on the left, the factory tour begins moments one steps foot into the shop. Peer up at the artwork to see cacao in its natural environment or over at the bookshelf to see Lantry’s chocolatier collection – the details in the environment are almost as plentiful as the 120 truffle designs.
Year-round, Seabreeze Craft Chocolates offers everything from bonbons and bars to truffles and teas. Seasonally, the Seabreeze team takes its pride in delivering exceptional confections to a whole new level. This fall, indulge in limited-edition truffles such as the caramel apple, pumpkin spice and maple-walnut chocolates. Take home the seasonal charcuterie bar for a myriad of fall flavors including white chocolate ganache with cranberries, pumpkin pie ganache and dark chocolate ganache with toasted walnuts.
This Oct. 28, Seabreeze Craft Chocolates is celebrating its first National Chocolate Day. To commemorate the craft and holiday, Lantry will be hosting both Chocolate Truffle Making Classes for adults and Kids Chocolate Decorating Classes for kids. To sign-up for an exclusive slot or for more information, click here.
Seabreeze Craft Chocolates is open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon. to 7 p.m. Group and private classes are listed on the website or are available upon request respectively. For more information, visit www.seabreezechocolates.com.
3840 Valley Centre Dr., Ste 604
San Diego, CA 92130