Choc-full of Chocolate
For Giovanni’s Chocolates owner Fethi Turan, it all started with a gifted box of truffles. Now, two years later, Turan has a team of employees producing chocolates sold at its Dormont location, in a kiosk at South Hills Village Mall, and online. From gingerbread truffles to salted caramels, Turan and his team outturn 3,500-4,000 chocolates a day in 32 varieties. He says he spent over a year developing the perfect recipes.
“The flavors had to excel for me, personally,” says Turan. “I criticized each blend just to get better. It’s all about the temperature, the timing, the whipping — it’s all so crucial for the flavor.” Turan says each item is handmade one piece at a time — including his jars of raspberry jam — and the business specializes in custom designs, i.e. engraving names and printing photographs on the gratifying goodies. The Upper St. Clair resident has a background of 15 years in the restaurant industry, which includes his own Giovanni’s Pizza & Pasta on West Liberty Avenue. Turan says he’s pleased to have turned his leisurely love for chocolate into an occupation. “I pride myself on creating a blend that melts in your mouth and requires no work from the taste tester — just to enjoy.” Count us in, one silky confection at a time. Giovanni’s Chocolates, 3047 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont. 412.344.6666. sendmechocolate.com.
