There is chocolate and then there is Jack Rabbit Chocolate Studio in Waterkloof, Pretoria, where every bonbon is a handmade piece of art. It was founded by Stephanie Ceronio, a self-taught chocolatier, who in turn recruited Lucia Sithole from the gourmet ice cream shop next door where she was working at the time.

“My journey into chocolate began in a very unexpected way, when Stephanie offered me the opportunity to join her team. It changed the direction of my career,” says Lucia, now head chocolatier at the studio, which supplies retailers, luxury lodges and restaurants like Culinary Table, Pantry by Marble, Tashas Le Parc in Hyde Park, Cé La Vi in Sandton, Ostra in Hazelwood, Aurum in Sandton and Quoin Rock in Rosebank.

It was here at Jack Rabbit that she discovered her passion for chocolate. “I had no idea that in South Africa we actually have something as cool and awesome as this. Not everyone is aware of the type of beautiful artwork we get to do using chocolate, and I have committed myself to the craft ever since.”

Although Jack Rabbit is not her own business, it is a legacy Lucia is deeply committed to continuing since Stephanie left. “I see it as a privilege to honour the standards, the creativity and dedication that built the brand, while also helping it grow into the future,” she says. “What drives me every day is knowing chocolate is more than just something sweet; it creates memories that people are going to take with them forever. Every bonbon and chocolate tells a story, whether it’s celebrating a milestone, expressing gratitude or simply creating a moment of joy. I believe people can taste the care as well as the passion that goes into these handcrafted chocolates.”

Every piece of Lucia’s chocolates is individually hand-painted, giving each chocolate its own artisanal identity. “No two pieces are exactly alike. They are handmade by the amazing team we have here,” says Lucia. “We also make sure we use high-quality ingredients and make fillings completely from scratch, because we believe exceptional chocolate begins with exceptional ingredients. We never compromise on quality and that is reflected in every piece we create.”

Lucia especially enjoys working with African flavours such as rooibos, naartjie, passion fruit and mango, and even a sweet and savoury combination using biltong. While in itself not an unheard-of pairing, the naartjie provides very bright citrus notes which go with the beautiful dark chocolate. “We know it’s a common pairing around the world and we know citrus goes well with chocolate, but we try to be innovative. Rooibos offers warmth and a uniquely South African character. Passion fruit and mango bring freshness and vibrancy. I believe in creating flavours that are both familiar as well as exciting, and the homegrown ingredients allow us to celebrate our country through chocolate and authenticity.”

A new range of chocolates inspired by popular desserts is in development, and recipes are being tested. “Something to look forward to,” says Lucia with a smile.

Hailing from the “very small” town Frankfort in the Free State, Lucia says where she’s from there’s no exposure to “different” career opportunities, such as hers – it’s mostly teaching, medicine, law. It does highlight the growing appreciation for artisanal chocolates in South Africa, however, and shines a light on the skilled people who work behind the scenes, she says. “I really hope my story will help inspire more young and up-and-coming chocolatiers, and encourage them to pursue this craft.”

Looking ahead, Lucia’s goal is to become one of the leading chocolatiers in the business by continually pushing the boundaries of confectionery, as well as chocolate artistry. She hopes to introduce South African chocolate to more international markets and represent her country at global competitions. She’s already made a start: “A few years ago I got the opportunity to represent South Africa in Germany for the world finals of the International Chocolate Awards after winning silver in Italy.” It was a first for a Black female artisanal chocolatier.

Never compromising on local ingredients and motivating future chocolatiers, Lucia believes the SA chocolate industry has a bright future, built on talented artisans and a growing appreciation for handcrafted products. It’s an ongoing journey she is excited to be part of.

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