Chocolate Sommelier, Freelance Writer, Paris, France

Ms. Estelle Tracy’s passion for all things chocolate has surpassed my wildest expectations. She loves to share the insights and tricks of the chocolate trade, the subtleties of taste and the desires to open up the industry to lay tasters, whose taste buds are certainly “up for the challenge”, she says. As one of the original food niche bloggers, Ms. Tracy decided to record every step of what she called “37 chocolates by 37th birthday” challenge. She sampled and talked through each self-organized tasting in thoroughly charming videos (like this). Did I mention that at the time Estelle was working in a software company, with an analytical chemistry degree? This transition is the stuff of WOW Woman’s dreams.

Estelle now travels all over the United States and the world, hosts private and corporate chocolate tastings (I was introduced to Estelle by a Googler), writes about the various pairings and allows people to experience the union of chocolate and wine. She begs to differ with the critics of the US chocolate trade, as evident by her “37 Chocolates Challenge”. Most importantly, Estelle is a champion of small businesses, and female chocolate makers. Through Estelle I connected, specifically in France at the time, to the WOW Women chocolatiers who breathe their soul into their work, the fantastic professionals breaking the mold of what the French chocolatiers are supposed to look like.

1. Name.

Estelle Tracy.

2. Where is your hometown?

I'm from a small town called Vernouillet located 30 km outside of Paris, France. Nowadays I call Kennett Square home -- it's a quaint Pennsylvania town about 1 hour West of Philadelphia, some refer to it as the Mushroom Capital of the World!

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I'm a chocolate sommelier, freelance writer, and founder of 37 Chocolates. Most people are intimidated by my chocolate title, but all that really means is that I create thoughtful chocolate tastings respectful of my attendees. My goal is to expand every taster's perception of what chocolate is, while accepting that not everyone will like the same products.

Pre-COVID, I used to co-host wine & chocolate pairing events. These days, I spend my mornings shipping chocolate tasting kits all around the US and, sometimes, the world. On afternoons and evenings, I host chocolate tastings on Zoom to private parties and corporate groups.

4. What did you study in school?

I have a Master's degree in Analytical Chemistry.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

It's been a very convoluted journey! I left the chemical industry very soon after college and took a job in an ERP software company that let its employees work from home on an as-needed basis. I knew I'd have kids one day, so I greatly valued the flexibility this corporate job let me have.

After a decade and two kids, though, I was ready for a change. With my husband's support, I left my former position and gave myself six months to focus on personal projects. First, I released a food survival guide for French people in the US (available here). Next, I was inspired by a friend who ran 50 km in honor of her 50th birthday to review 37 chocolate bars in honor of my 37th which happens to fall on Halloween. I experienced my first chocolate crush at my 8th review and that's when I knew I wanted to introduce others to that feeling. I started hosting chocolate tastings that following year -- it took about four years to get 37 Chocolates fully off the ground.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I've always wanted to live close to my parents and now I live on another continent. I've always wanted to be financially independent and going through a phase where I wasn't was hard to accept.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

So many times! Being told my oldest daughter may never recognize me because of a condition she was diagnosed with was one of the hardest things I've had to hear. The shock of that sentence was almost physical and what saved me was to focus my attention on my then-baby.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

I think paid maternity AND paternity leaves would go a long way to lift all women and create an egalitarian society.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

I never tire of hosting chocolate tastings. I've shared my 37 Chocolates story dozens of times and I do it with joy over and over again.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I can knit, which means I can turn the yummiest alpaca yarn into the softest, warmest pair of mittens. My shawls are pretty cozy too.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I try to take things one day at a time, who knows what cool opportunities will pop up in the future? It's nice to be open to possibilities.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

I'd like for my anxiety to go far, far away.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

The only thing I would change is the stories I told myself when going through hard times.

15. What inspires you?

It sounds so cliché, but my kids inspire me. As a parent, I feel responsible to model the kind of life I'd like my kids to live. I want my children to see that you can be happy to wake up in the morning and feel fulfilled by your work. I think we all know people who look like they're settled in life. Perhaps they're scared of leaving a well-paying job because of a mortgage or they believe in the notion that you have to settle in your adult years.

I want my kids to see what it looks like to want to be happy.

16. What are you hopeful about?

Our ability to open our hearts.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

Allowing yourself to believe you can live a full life is the first step to living it. The pandemic made me cherish my time with my children.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I'm very enthusiastic, I can get other people excited, and am very persistent!

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

I've gifted “The Confidence Code” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman to several colleagues. Most recently, I've been deeply inspired by “Manifesto for a Moral Revolution” by Jacqueline Novogratz, the founder of Acumen, "a global community changing the way the world tackles poverty." 

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?

Jacqueline Novogratz is definitely one!

In the chocolate industry, I've long admired Emily Stone, co-founder and CEO of Uncommon Cacao, a transparent trade cacao broker. Her company is one of the reasons why so many small batch chocolate-makers can create delicious chocolate from ethically-sourced cacao.

Another woman I admire is Mackenzie Rivers, founder of MAP Chocolate and The Next Batch, an online chocolate "school." Mackenzie has lived a million lives - she's been a farmer, a pastry chef, a Grand Canyon guide - and she could make a gazillion excuses to settle and retire. Instead, at age 60, she's now teaching how to make chocolate to people all over the world. She's the very definition of badass!

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

You can read my chocolate blog and book a private chocolate tasting on my website, www.37chocolates.com. I'm also quite active on Instagram @37Chocolates.

Bonus Quick Round Qs:

1. What and who is worth suffering for? Good quality food for everyone.

2. What would you do if you knew that nobody would judge you? Dance more!

3. Who is/are your mentor/s (men or women)? My parents and husband have the best work ethics. My friend Sophia Contreras Rea, founder of Projet Chocolat, inspires me to do my work justice and stand for my price.

4. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days? Volunteer at the local food bank.

5. If you could be anyone for a day who would you be? A super famous singer, perhaps? I cannot sing so it would be nice to experience what it's like to make others dance with my voice!

6. If you could relive one year in your life, which one would it be? My first year in the US, which was full of wonder and discovery. It's also the year I met my husband.

7. What bothers you most about  other people? What do you love most about other people? I don't like when people use taste to create hierarchy between others. I love people who share their passion generously.