Tim Gearhart's journey to becoming a chocolatier began with his culinary adventures around the world. He served as a Marine Corps cook in the Far East, received pastry training at the Culinary Institute of America, and further developed his skills in various settings, from an English castle to a Western dude ranch.

Inspired by his travels and aiming to create chocolates that captured their essence, he returned to Virginia and established Gearharts Fine Chocolates in 2001 amidst Charlottesville's growing food scene. With the encouragement of a fellow chef and former boss, Bill Hamilton, Tim started the business in a small office kitchenette with minimal equipment. During the initial holiday season, he hand-dipped approximately 700 pieces of chocolate daily.

Although the production methods have evolved to meet the current demand of over 13,000 chocolates per day, the recipes and handcrafted nature of the chocolates remain unchanged. Gearharts continues to craft its original 16-piece signature line, using a blend of the world's finest chocolate, local sweet cream, and pure butter, while also exploring new and innovative flavors. The company values both tradition and innovation, ensuring that each piece of chocolate reflects the care and attention that goes into its creation.

After nearly 25 years, Gearharts remains dedicated to using pure flavors and producing high-quality, nationally recognized products. The company sources the finest ingredients from around the world and crafts its world-class chocolates in Virginia.