WBJ: Karmello Chocolatier is one of the strongest Polish premium brands in the chocolate praline category. How did your story begin – where did the idea for a family-owned chocolate atelier come from?

Dawid Dobrzański: Our story began with a moment of genuine admiration. During family trips across Europe, my parents often visited small chocolatier workshops where you could immediately feel the passion and attention to detail. These were places where taste and atmosphere created more than a product – they created an experience.

There were no such workshops in Poland at the time, so the thought naturally arose: Why not try to build something similar here?

A key turning point was the arrival of Ingo Wullaert in Poland – a master chocolatier who had earned his expertise in some of the world’s finest chocolate ateliers. His knowledge and craftsmanship allowed us to transform our initial ideas into real recipes and production processes. Thanks to him, we were able to develop our concept and build the brand in ways we had previously only imagined.

That’s how Karmello Chocolatier was born – from the desire to create something truly exceptional. We grew step by step, basing everything on quality, craftsmanship, and the belief that a well-crafted chocolate can evoke emotion. And that sense of admiration continues to guide us today.

How does being a family-run business influence the way you work and the way you want to be perceived by your customers?

For us, it means closeness and responsibility. Karmello Chocolatier is run today by three generations of our family – each bringing a different perspective, yet all sharing the same values. It enriches our decision-making, although it can also be challenging.

Working across generations with different experiences and temperaments isn’t always easy. Discussions can be lively, and opinions often differ. But this diversity of viewpoints and constant dialogue helps us make decisions that are more thoughtful and long-term.

We place great importance on a direct, human approach to customers, even as we grow. We are a Polish, family-owned company, and this shows in the details: in the quality of our products, in the way we communicate, and in the fact that we genuinely listen to our clients.

We don’t want to be an anonymous producer – we want customers to feel that behind the brand stand real people, a real story, and authentic commitment.

Your chocolates accompany customers in some of the most important moments of their lives. What role do emotions play in your brand?

Emotions are one of the foundations of our brand. We often hear from customers that our chocolates appear in meaningful moments – in gestures of love, gratitude, or respect, when words alone are not enough.”

It’s a great responsibility. When our box is given to a mother on Mother’s Day, to a teacher as a thank-you, or to a business partner as a symbol of appreciation, it becomes part of a relationship between people.

That’s why we place such importance on quality, aesthetics, and every detail. Karmello chocolates are meant not only to taste exceptional but also to express intention, evoke a reaction, and create a lasting memory.

Karmello is known for its diversity – hundreds of flavors, limited editions, personalized collections. What inspired this direction?

We wanted every customer to be able to find something for themselves. For many years, the chocolate market in Poland was quite one-dimensional, and we saw an opportunity to offer something more creative and rooted in true craftsmanship.

Our collections are largely handcrafted. We work with a master chocolatier who gained his experience in some of the world’s best chocolate schools and ateliers. Today, he passes this knowledge on to our own chocolatier team, develops their skills, and ensures that craftsmanship remains at the core of every product that reaches our customers.

We’re also not afraid of unconventional flavor combinations. We introduce creations designed to surprise: pralines with a hint of mustard, intense chili, or delicate notes of Parmesan. These are for customers who seek new experiences – and they show that chocolate can tell completely different stories than we’re used to.

We regularly develop limited editions, test new flavors, and launch small-batch collections.

This approach is demanding, but it gives us a real advantage: we truly specialize in artisan pralines, not just in the broader category of sweets. Every collection is the result of people who know their craft and put their hearts into what they do.

Next year you are opening a new factory. How will this investment influence the future development of Karmello Chocolatier?

This is one of the most important investments in our company’s history. The new factory will allow us to expand our product portfolio, launch new lines, and work in even better conditions – while preserving the artisanal character of what we do.

It will be a modern space where production meets creativity. We will create an R&D department dedicated to developing new recipes and collections.

Equally important is the part designed with our customers in mind. We want the factory to be a place where people can truly connect with the brand: a tasting area, the opportunity to see the production process up close, and a workshop zone where anyone can try their hand at being a chocolatier.

This is where customers will be able to feel the spirit of Karmello – the craftsmanship, authenticity, and passion present at every stage of our work.

This investment opens a completely new chapter for us – both in business development and in creating experiences that are just as important to Karmello as the product itself.

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