Jorona Johnson

Taste of Nature Inc. is opening a new manufacturing facility in an effort to grow its panned chocolate confections and increase its cotton candy production and the capacity of its Shari Candies peg bag line.

The days of boring stamps with horrible-tasting glue are finally over — at least in Belgium.

Jacques Torres Chocolate faces its biggest challenge yet — creating another Willy Wonka land of chocolate.

A dream rooted in the desire for knowledge has come full circle with a Sweet Genius victory.

AACT is accepting applications for the John Kitt Memorial Scholarship for the 2013-2014 academic year. John Kitt, who died in August 2009, was a confectionery researcher who devoted 43 years to the art of candy making, working for companies such as Knechtel Laboratories, Standard Brands, Nabisco Brands and Wm. Wrigley Co.

Resilient and hardworking in a business she taught herself, Christine Walthour — together with her husband — helped establish B.T. McElrath Chocolatier as a leading premium artisanal chocolate house in the confectionery industry.

While consumers always expected a personal experience, they are also interested in convenience and authenticity, at least according to Barry Callebat’s predictions for the chocolate market of 2014.

American Licorice Co. has announced plans to invest $10 million in the expansion of its La Porte, Ind. manufacturing facility. The Bend, Ore.-based candy maker plans to equip and renovate its 285,000 square-foot facility. The expansion, which will include the installation of a licorice production line and the addition of a rail spur so the company can receive ingredients by rail, is expected to be completed by 2015.

The Rodeo Drive of online domains is finally on the market. Sedo, the largest domain name marketplace, announced the sale of Chocolate.com and its accompanying business.

Black Cow, Slo Poke and Sophie Mae have a new owner. Atkinson Candy Co. is purchasing the three candy brands from Laco Inc., a partner of the Warrell Corporation, for an undisclosed amount.