Shop Caters to Chocoholics, from Bacon-Covered to Jalapeno

With walls adorned with brightly-colored candy collages, giraffes and abstract prints, it's hard for some patrons to remember that they came to Ashworth Artisan Chocolate to satisfy their sweet tooth.

The merging of art and chocolate - some of it layered with notes of lavender or hiding pieces of bacon - is one proprietor Steven Ashworth is proud of, hoping to display his own work in 2014. In the meantime, we caught up with Ashworth to talk all things chocolate at his business, 1605 W. Snow Avenue in Hyde Park Village.

On how he got involved in the chocolate business: "I went to college in Savannah, Georgia, to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). I graduated with a Bachelors in fine arts and graphic design. I started working for a family that owned the candy stores on River Street. I started baking chocolate, fudge, pralines and turtles during my college years, and stayed with them for six years. I left them and started working for Godiva chocolates for 14 years, making chocolate, managing and training. I opened (here) in 2007. I always wanted to own my own business."

On his favorite type of chocolate: "I like dark chocolate, but I like all chocolate. I eat everything. I’m passionate about all chocolate, and all chocolate lovers are my friends."

Some misconceptions people have about chocolate: "They say that of course chocolate is bad for you, but there are good and band qualities to everything that you eat. The cocoa is great for you. That’s why you see on TV and research that dark chocolate is great for you. A piece a day is like a glass of red wine."

What sets his products apart from other chocolate businesses in Tampa Bay: "I pride myself on creating unique chocolate flavors. The look, the flavor and the name of my individual truffles. Fireside honey, orange zest, cocoa caliente, lavender blue."

On what he wants to bring to the Hyde Park Village community: "I pride myself on being a great place for a gift, self treat and a place to hang out with your friends and socialize, like a coffee house type of thing."

 To contact the business, call 813-251-6764. 

Have you been to Ashworth Artisan Chocolate? Tell us in the comments what you're favorite item was.