OnMilwaukee's The Future Is Female series is brought to you by Alverno College and features some of the most interesting, innovative and intelligent women in the city.
Kishoree Boegel attempted to launch Cocoatree Confectionery, 1313 W. Mequon Rd., in March of 2020, but we all know what happened then. So without much choice, she patiently waited to open her boutique chocolate business until June of 2022.
Cocoa Tree Confectionery is an artisan chocolate shop that specializes in small-batch chocolates, gourmet macarons and other sweet treats. House-made sorbet and gelato are also available during the summer months.
"Everything is made in house with the exception of macarons. Those are made by the chef who trained me," says Boegel.
OnMilwaukee recently chatted with Boegel about, well, this comes as no surprise: Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.
Where did you train to make gourmet chocolate?
I took classes at the French Pastry School and received my chocolate training at The Chocolate Academy in Chicago. But mostly, I am self taught. I went to school to polish what I already knew.
What inspired you to first make chocolate?
My daughter is allergic to nuts and I couldn’t find a completely nut-free Easter bunny one year, so I decided to make one myself. Long story short, my process of melting Nestle morsels in to a bunny shape didn't work, so I looked into taking some classes. I actually decided to take cake decorating classes instead.
So I was first trained as a pastry chef and later took chocolate classes. Those were the classes that really hooked me.
So why didn't you open a pastry shop? Or a pastry shop and a chocolate shop?
I was torn between the two. But I chose chocolate because of shelf life. Chocolate is less perishable. I also like that it allows for a lot of creativity. And most of all, it appeals to such a wide audience. Almost everyone loves chocolate.
What do you offer from your spot on Mequon Road?
I have a full kitchen where I make tons and tons of chocolate and a retail shop.
Are you a lifelong Milwaukeean?
I was born in India and later moved here to Milwaukee. I live in Mequon now and have a son and a daughter who go to Homestead High School.
What about Milwaukee / Metro Milwaukee do you like?
I love that it's both a big city and small town. You get the best of both worlds. It has a very Cosmopolitan night life and yet everyone is very approachable here. Plus, I love going out to eat and the restaurant scene is always changing and bringing in great new restaurants.
What about Milwaukee / Metro Milwaukee don't you like?
Areas of it are very insular. I wish it were a more integrated city.
Do you have any dreams of expanding your business?
I don’t want to franchise my shop or even have more than one location. I would like to expand to have more parties and events and eventually, maybe, a beer and wine license.
What kinds of classes do you teach here?
I teach Chocolate 101 and 102. Both are beginners chocolate classes that introduce people how to temper chocolate at home without a $30,000 tempering machine. The 102 class gets into ganaches, caramels and the trick to filling bonbons properly.
Is white chocolate "real" chocolate?
From a chemical standpoint, yes. I think good quality white chocolate has its place.
Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
A lot of people love dark chocolate – more than I thought when I first started out. Well, mostly adults love dark chocolate. Kids usually prefer milk chocolate. Personally, I say the darker the better.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
