About Us

I am a third-generation chocolatier with roots in Bern, Switzerland. I learned the art of chocolate from my mother, who learned from her mother before her. For over 30 years, I have dedicated myself to perfecting our family recipes, honoring the flavors and traditions handed down through generations while embracing modern techniques that bring new life to classic recipes.​​

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My passion for chocolate led me to further my craft at the Callebaut Chocolate Academy, where I deepened my understanding of flavor, texture, and design. Using only the highest-quality ingredients, I create chocolates and candies that delight and surprise the palate, combining bright, inventive flavors with the comforting, timeless tastes of my heritage.

Every piece I make reflects my philosophy: innovative yet authentic, playful yet rooted in tradition, carrying forward the lessons of my mother and grandmother while inviting chocolate lovers to experience something fresh and unexpected.

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My work is inspired by my own mother, Patricia Burgener Russell, who was the fourth daughter of Maynard and Mable Burgener, born in the Avenues of Salt Lake City and raised in Ogden, Utah. She graduated from Ogden High School before earning her degree from Utah State University. Patricia began her career as a third-grade teacher, spending several years teaching in both California and Utah.

In 1967, she married Wayne J. Russell, and together they raised five children. In 1983, the family moved to Bountiful, Utah, where Patricia began hand-dipping chocolates at a local chocolatier. Although she had grown up making candy and learning techniques from her mother, her skills deepened significantly during her years working professionally. Over time, creating chocolates became one of her greatest joys. She invested countless hours into refining recipes, experimenting with flavors, and sharing her confections with friends, family, and community members. Later in life, she began selling her chocolates and passed her knowledge on to her only daughter.

After Wayne’s passing, Patricia moved in with her daughter, and the two continued developing recipes and candy-making techniques side by side. Patricia passed away in 2017, but her legacy lives on—she remains the inspiration behind Blue Ridge Chocolates, a tribute to her lifelong love of crafting exceptional handmade confections.​​