Mike King is the chocolate maker behind Encore Coffee & Chocolate in Kansas City. He began making chocolate in 2021 after years of roasting specialty coffee, driven by the same curiosity that first led him to coffee more than two decades ago. Wanting to understand chocolate at its source and how cacao beans could be transformed into something delicious, he began learning through hands-on experimentation, studying the techniques of other bean-to-bar makers, and applying the same discipline and attention to detail he had developed as a coffee roaster.

His first batch was humbling. It was far from what he envisioned, but it taught him how critical refining, roasting, and patience are to the process. He shared it with friends and family anyway, and their encouragement helped push him forward.

What makes Mike’s process special is that he starts with ethically sourced cacao beans and handles every step himself, including roasting, hand-sorting, winnowing, refining, tempering, and molding. Each chocolate bar is crafted in small batches to highlight the natural character of the cacao, whether it is deep and bold or smooth and approachable.

Mike wants customers to know that his chocolate is not mass-produced. Every bar reflects careful work, constant learning, and genuine passion. Just like the coffee he roasts, his goal is simple: to create chocolate that is authentic, delicious, and made with integrity from bean to bar.