Fran is honored to receive the

Specialty Food Association Lifetime Achievement Award

The Specialty Food Association's Lifetime Achievement Awards celebrate individuals who are widely recognized as having grown the industry, improved the Association, inspired companies, and nurtured individuals over long careers in specialty food.

Widely respected for her leadership and community impact, Fran is the author of the award-winning cookbook Pure Chocolate and a founding member of organizations including Les Dames d’Escoffier Seattle, the Fine Chocolate Industry Association, and the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Initiative. Her chocolates have earned multiple sofi™ Awards from the Specialty Food Association. Still actively involved, Fran now works alongside the next generation—her daughter Andrina and son Dylan—continuing a legacy rooted in excellence and wonder.

Read more at: specialtyfood.com

Inspired by a life-changing trip to Paris, Fran Bigelow opened her first shop, Fran’s Patisserie and Chocolate Specialties, in Seattle’s Madison Valley in 1982. Cakes and pastries were the focus in the early days. As her reputation grew, so did the lines of customers. During the holidays when wait times were especially long, Fran treated her guests to freshly made chocolate truffles. An immediate success, these pure chocolate confections soon became the heart of Fran’s business.

In the 43 years since, Fran has built a loyal following around her elegant mastery of chocolate. Recognized as a pioneer of the artisanal chocolate movement, Fran has been named The best overall chocolatier in the United States by The Book of Chocolate, and Outstanding Fine Chocolatier — North America by the Fine Chocolate Industry Association. Many of her products have won national awards for innovation and quality, and Fran has been inducted into the Specialty Food Association Hall of Fame.

Fran continues to find immense satisfaction in sharing the joy of pure chocolate with her customers. Confections are handmade at her production facility in Seattle’s historic Georgetown neighborhood, where her team creates rich truffles, chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, and signature salted caramels from only the highest-quality ingredients. Each ingredient is essential to the quality of our chocolates, and we are committed to the highest standards of ethical sourcing through lasting and transparent relationships with our suppliers and Organic and Fairtrade certifications. Learn more about our Ingredients and Sourcing.

Over the years, the love of chocolate has become a family affair, with Fran’s daughter Andrina now working alongside her as CEO, and her son Dylan as Director of Chocolate, carrying the tradition of excellence forward into a new generation.

Fran’s Chocolates has been featured in

 Gourmet Magazine  •  The Today Show  •  The New York Times  •  O, The Oprah Magazine  •  Vogue Japan  •  Forbes Life  •  InStyle Magazine
Cook’s Illustrated  •  The Food Network  •  USA Today  •  OK! Magazine  •  CBS Early Show  •  Ladies’ Home Journal  •  Martha Stewart Living
Family Circle  •  People Magazine  •  Good Housekeeping  •  The Food Network  •  Food & Wine Magazine  •  Seattle Bride Magazine
The Times, UK  •  Epicurious  •  Business Insider  •  The Chicago Tribune  •  The Seattle Times  •  NBC News  •  TV Osaka  •  Jeopardy!