Spencer Hyman

Few people know more about chocolate than Spencer. His love for craft chocolate began in the 90s when travelling to the US. His career has spanned everything from making cabbage-patch dolls in Asia to launching the first major online music discovery service, Last.fm. But in 2013, he decided it was time for the world to discover the world of craft chocolate.

Today, he is a champion for craft chocolate makers all over the world. Spencer hosts chocolate tastings and education courses around the world, judges for international chocolate awards, and he often appears on TV, media and at conferences, including Sunday Brunch, World Cocoa Conference, Great Taste Awards, Society of Flavourists, International Wine Challenge, Barista Connect, Academy of Chocolate and more. Hear him speak on Professor Tim Spector’s Zoe podcast here.

Spencer is a trusted advisor to many who work with cocoa and chocolate, and has tasted many thousands of bars of chocolate. He is a keen swimmer, sitting on the committees for Hampstead Ponds, and is passionate about health and wellbeing – and the role chocolate can play in this.

For anything from the history of chocolate to the science of taste and flavour, Spencer is always on the hunt for new insights and expertise. He is always on the look out for great new craft chocolate makers and farmers, exploring how cocoa is grown and crafted — and understanding more about flavour, and how craft chocolate pairs with other great craft experiences like wine and coffee. A tasting event with Spencer brings new perspectives to savouring and tasting experiences, it’s not to be missed.

See chocopedia for some of his research on health, flavour, history and science here.