Zak’s Chocolate: Best in Arizona
I had the pleasure of meeting Maureen and Jim Elitzak at their chocolate shop in Scottsdale, Arizona, in January, 2018, and was blown away by the chocolate knowledge, talent, and finesse this couple has achieved in the three short years since opening their shop in 2015.
Maureen and Jim Elitzak have been married for 36 years and are the creative force behind Zak’s Chocolate
zaks chocolate of scottsdale, arizona, produces taste-tempting ethically sourced organic chocolate
Both Jim and Maureen have degrees in accounting, and a background in corporate finance. But after retiring from corporate life, the Elitzaks decided to turn Maureen’s hobby of chocolate making into a small business. She began using Valrhona couverture to make her chocolate, but was looking for organic chocolate to work with, and soon learned that working directly with cocoa beans was the way for them to go.
At Zak’s Chocolate, you are encouraged to taste each of the single origin bars so that you can find the one(s) that best please your palate.
The couple left their home in the Northeast US and moved to Scottsdale in 2011. They took some chocolate making courses through Ecole Chocolat, and purchased some small commercial chocolate making equipment from Chocolate Alchemy and slowly increased their chocolate knowledge and chocolate making abilities. In April, 2015, they opened their lovely little chocolate shop on East Shea Blvd., and not three years later, have won awards from the International Chocolate Awards and been named the best chocolate maker in Arizona by USA Today–an honour I most heartily endorse.
Jim at Zak’s Chocolate sources out organic, sustainable beans from various suppliers.
Adjacent to the chocolate shop is a small events space where Jim and Maureen hold chocolate events. They also have an outdoor patio where you can sit and enjoy a coffee and brownie.
“The name Zak’s Chocolate is just a play on our own name,” says Jim, who says that using the last half of their surname sounded right in giving the feel they were trying to create; a friendly place where quality chocolate is king, and chocolate knowledge is freely shared.
All of the dark chocolate bars at Zak’s feature 70% cocoa and are wrapped in this beautiful packaging. “We do that so that the true flavour profiles of the beans are clear and their differences shine through,” says Jim. The beans are slow-roasted in small batches. Jim pays special attention to custom roast according to each origin, and each batch from that origin, as there can be variances dependent on the climate of that particular growing season just as with wine, where you will sometimes see the vintner naming the specific harvest and vineyard of the grapes on the bottle.
I tasted the various origins Zak’s is currently offering and enjoyed them all. I found the Madagascar bar to be less acidic than is the case with some chocolate makers, but the fruitiness still shone through. I loved the smokiness of the Papau New Guineau bar. We also tasted chocolate from Belize and Nicaragua, each with its own flavour profile.
I loved the Lachua bar made from Guatemalan beans. This award-winning bar features citrus, dried cherry, and raisin notes that reveal themselves as you let the chocolate slowly melt in your mouth. Zak’s also makes a Guatemalan bar from the Monte Grande farm that tastes quite different from the Lachua bar. The 70% Haiti bar has a full, rich flavour. But I didn’t like it nearly as much as the 55% dark milk Haiti bar. For my taste buds, that bar is true perfection.
Maureen Elitzak creates fabulous chocolate bonbons, truffles, and novelties in her chocolate kitchen at Zak’s.
I really loved the chocolate turtles at Zak’s.
Maureen is a skilled chocolatier, and makes fabulous chocolate bonbons and novelties such as her own version of ‘turtles.” I loved them, as each chocolate turtle contains a whole pecan. And the Tropical Blackberry bonbon features an exotic blend of blackberries, lychee, and passionfruit that I’m still swooning over.
If you find yourself in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or any of the surrounding communities, be sure to take a detour to Zak’s Chocolate. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
Zak’s Chocolate partners with various venues and events including the Chilies and Chocolate Festival at the Desert Botanical Garden and the Chocolate Tour of Scottsdale.
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Really……It was very surprising & inspiring that how this sweet couple passionate towards their business & growing it …..so rapidly. Thanks
From: Sahil Sharma (A Die Hard Chocolate Lover)
I am very impressed by the way a retired couple have built a small empire of chocolate after their retirement. It’s great to see folks working towards their passion after retirement and attaining great success in it. A truly inspiring story and could be one good example for everyone out there.
This is such an interesting niche. As a travel agent I know how important it is to find a specialized niche to do, but never would I have ever thought about traveling for chocolate. This website is unique and quite refreshing.
Thanks very much, Alyssa. I’ve spent the past nine years trying to get people to think about travelling for chocolate. I’m glad you finally found your way here.
I am really impressed by the way the couple have grown their business so rapidly. Their story is indeed inspirational. Starting from scratch and going on to win national and international recognition within 3 years is a tremendous achievement. The chocolates, needless to say, must be in a class of their own and the fact that they are organically sourced make them all the more attractive.
Right on, Sandy! It’s amazing how some people just to be naturals in the world of chocolate, and others seem to struggle against the grain. The ones that do it with an natural flair are the ones who indeed make the best chocolate.
Well, there is certainly more to chocolate than meets the eye….um, I mean mouth! I never knew there was such a thing as ethically sourced organic chocolate. What a lovely couple and why not with that job. I’m afraid I’d eat all my profits though!
Hi Patt. Yes, ethically sourced chocolate is a growing trend in the craft chocolate market. It is a way for us to connect with the cocoa growers who are providing the chocolate makers with those amazing beans. 🙂
Your advice is always spot on Doreen, and I know you do your tasting and research!What an amazing palate you have. It’s delicious to read the way you describe chocolate flavor profiles!
Thx so much, Alison! I really appreciate your kudos. I will work hard to maintain that level of excellence. 🙂
You are my chocolate guru, Doreen. If you say Zak’s is the best chocolate in Arizona, I will be there during my next visit!
Thanks, Irene! I appreciate the tip of your hat. 🙂 Indeed, I guaranteed that you will not be disappointed by a visit to Zak’s Chocolate. Enjoy!
Ethically sourced organic chocolate just sounds so, well, healthy. Interesting that it is in Arizona. Great find, Doreen.
Thanks, Charles. Yes, it’s super wonderful when we are eating great tasting chocolate that meets all the standards of keeping the farmers and the environment in mind.
I love the look of the Turtles, so pretty and appealing and I imagine the taste doesn’t disappoint. 🙂 You do fabulous work and your love of what you do always comes through in your reviews.
Thanks so much, Debra, and welcome back to Chocolatour. It’s great to see you here again. 🙂
Chocolates are anyways my all time favorites. And to get the organic version is a pure bliss. How I wish they shipped to India!! Thank you for introducing the delicacies, I would love to try them when I happen to go to Arizona
Neha, there is more and more great chocolate being produced all over the world. Have you found a well made organic chocolate in India? I’ve eaten excellent chocolate made from Indian cocoa. But it was made in North America.
I will look for Zak’s Chocolate at Maureen and Jim Elitzak chocolate shop in Scottsdale, Arizona, since we are visiting the area right now, and expect to go to Scottsdale for 1st Friday events tonight. I will tell them I read your post.
Thanks very much, Wendy! Let me know how you like it. 🙂
It takes a lot of gumption to do something very different to what you were doing for almost an entire lifetime. A ton of respect to both of them. The chocolates sound delicious and would love to try them if I ever get the chance.
Hi Denny. It does indeed take a lot of gumption, determination, and courage to embark on a totally new career. I really commend Jim and Maureen for what they have achieved in just three years in the chocolate industry.
I mean seriously, chocolate can get better, who knew!!! I am so so happy to know about Zak’s, I can honestly see this being my only source for my Chocolate addiction. The bars blew my mind, the flavors are all amazing, and you can have so much variety. I loved the truffles also, the earl grey lavender was my favorite.
Even though I’ve just finished dinner, my mouth is watering for some of that dark chocolate, always my first choice in a treat. You’ve given me another reason to visit Scottsdale. Hope we can fit it into our busy schedule before we have to head home, but if not, next visit in the fall. Thanks, Doreen.
Thx for stopping by, Judy. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in AZ. There is indeed so much to explore and enjoy.
We made a trip to Scottsdale yesterday and really enjoyed the day of exploring. Sadly Zak’s Chocolate isn’t open on Sundays! Another excuse to go back. 🙂 We did find some delicious dark chocolate fudge though.
Yay, Judy! thanks for trying! I do hope you get back to Zak’s when they are open. You won’t be sorry! Have you been to Cave Creek? See my latest post. 🙂
Right here in my hometown and I didn’t know about Zak’s. I’ll definitely check it out. Even the description of their chocolate making sounds delicious. Love those chocolate turtles!
Definitely;y let me know what you think, Cathy. I hope you enjoy your visit. to Zak’s. Yes sure to tell them Chocolatour sent you! 🙂
Yummy goodness! Thanks for the tour of Zak’s. I would love it there. The 55% sounds like it would be my preferred one too. Definitely not a good idea to read this on an empty stomach as l am salivating. I hope l get a chance to try Zak’s chocolate at some point in time.
Thanks for stopping by, Kemkem. Do you have a favourite chocolate where you live?
I have cheap tastes. Give me a Kit-kat , Bounty or Maltesers and l will shut up 🙂
Yikes! I challenge you to start looking beyond chocolate candy to real chocolate. Start with a milk chocolate bar from an artisan chocolate near you. Or if you live where there is a great chocolate shop that sells top grade world chocolate, drop in and buy a bar to try. I’d recommend you start with the milk or dark milk variety to ease your way into the world of artisanal chocolate. 🙂
Oh no, l like fine chocolate as well and they are actually not too pricey around here. My husband loves artisanal dark chocolate. That being said, l still would take maltesers over them
I love chocolate and thanks for sharing about Zak’s chocolate! Would love to try it some day! 🙂
I didn’t know that dark chocolate could be milk chocolate–I thought they were two different things & tastes. Something new to think about. I’m in Savannah, Georgia and there’s a shop around the corner I’m checking out in your name. Can’t wait to return to Scottsdale so I can find Zak’s.
Hi Rose. Yes, milk chocolate is very different than dark chocolate, as the milk is a key ingredient in milk chocolate. But with dark milk chocolate, the chocolate maker is making a dark chocolate, and just adds a bit of milk powder to that mixture at the end, creating the perfect taste and silkiness is an amazingly decadent way. 🙂
I love your chocolate stories. These guys are great – living their dream. I bet they are really happy people, because they do what they love and love what they do.
Absolutely, Yasha! It’s never too late for someone to change directions and follow their dream. That’s when the real happiness and satisfaction kicks in. 🙂
What a wonderful find Doreen. I love their story and would love to taste their chocolate myself. We get to Tucson to visit the family from time to time a quick swing over to Scottsdale may just be in order. You really taunted me with that Tropical Blackberry bonbon.
I hope you make it to Scottsdale, Sue, and find time to visit Zak’s. Be sure to tell them Chocolatour sent you! 🙂
Oh my goodness those chocolate turtles look good. Very inspiring that they have transitioned from the corporate world to artisan choclatiers in such a short space of time.
It’s a great story, Rosalind, about great people making great chocolate. 🙂
What a great story of people leaving their professional life to follow their dream. It’s wonderful that they’ve made such a success of it.
Absolutely, Karen! It’s stories like this that keep me moving along on the Chocolatour! 🙂
What a great way for this couple to spend their post-corporate life. They certainly did everything right to make Zak’s Chocolate a premier product. Very interesting article!!
Thanks, Marilyn. I’m very excited for their success.
Wow those chocolate turtles look fantastic, they are called honu in Hawaii and would be an instant hit!
Yes, I think Maureen did a great job in designing those tropical turtles. Quite a work of art! And yes, I’d love to be back in Hawaii looking at those sea turtles. 🙂
Loved this post! Their shop and chocolate selection is amazing! It was interesting to see how different regions and different growing seasons make a difference in the taste. I agree with Doreen on the favorite bar! It was so interesting to meet people so passionate about their work.
Thanks for joining the conversation, Laverne. I’m so glad you enjoyed meeting Jim and Maureen as much as I did.
Wow! Touring a chocolate factory with a chocolatier sounds so fascinating! Zak’s Chocolate surely sounds like it is worth trying out.
Hi, Priya. Zak’s has a chocolate workshop. It is too small to be called a factory. But it is indeed a delightful place to visit.
I love the look of those chocolate turtles! The idea of coffee and brownies sounds very satisfying as well.
Hi, Bev! So great to see you back on Chocolatour. We’ve missed you! Yes, the turtles were amazing. And, yes. Laverne and I really enjoyed those brownies with our coffee. Cheers, and thx for stopping by.
I was JUST in Scottsdale a couple of weeks ago. How did I miss this???! As a chocolate lover, I think I should check with you before I head anywhere. This sounds amazing, and I would definitely have paid them a visit!
HI Lois. Do check the search feature on my site or email me directly via my site, as I don’t have posts on every gem I have visited.
How lovely!
How lovely to hear from you, Esther. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I hope all is well with you. 🙂
That Lachua bar made from Guatemalan beans sounds delicious ( as Guatemala is close to my heart) but honestly there is much to explore at Zaks chocolate. Kudos to them for such success in such a short time! c
Hi Michel. Yes, I thought that Guatemalan bar would catch your eye! Chocolate made from Guatemalan cocoa is usually quite good (have you tried Hummingbird’s?) But the Lachua bar is the best G bar I’ve had to date.
Another delicious article! I am proud to have tried all of the current chocolates at Zak’s and my palate could not be happier! Thank you for doing such a great piece on two amazing human beings. They are so passionate about their craft and happy to share their knowledge with all of their customers. A definite must-see for tourists and residents alike.
Thanks for your comment, Gwendolyn. You are very fortunate to live in the same community as Zak’s. 🙂 I’ve now eaten or given away all the chocolate I had bought from them and really enjoyed the flavour, texture, and appearance of everything we tasted at Zak’s Chocolate. Cheers!
We love chocolate, and enjoy visiting local chocolatiers whenever we travel. This place looks like it would be right up our alley. I am already craving a turtle. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Jeff! I am often amazed at the talent and creativity I discover in these tiny chocolate shops!
Zak’s chocolate sound worth a taste! it’s impressive that they’ve won international awards within 3 years of opening the shop.
Right on, Donna. A very similar situation to Canada’s Hummingbird Chocolate if you recall that post. A husband and wife team who have come from other careers to immerse and reinvent themselves in the world of artisanal chocolate. It is because of people like this that I do what I do. 🙂
Oh, I love dark chocolate bars! We are just 30 minutes from them. We gotta taste the lachua bar!!! Thanks for discovering them for us!
You’re very welcome, Carol. And when you visit Jim and Maureen, be sure to tell them you made this discovery via Chocolatour. Thanks!
Thank you for taking us on a tour in yet another chocolate store in Scottsdale. The chocolate turtles are highly creative. The tropical bonbons sound tasty. Interesting that the shop owners completly changed their careers and are now doing a job they have a passion for.
That’s right, Phoenicia. Isn’t it marvellous that we have the opportunity to follow our passions and rediscover ourselves so that we can live and work with our passions as Jim and Maureen are doing at Zak’s?