After serving as a cook in the Marine Corps, Tim formally trained in pastry at The Culinary Institute of America. He then externed at Charlottesville's famed Keswick Hall before helping with the launch of Hamiltons’ at First & Main as the pastry chef. His culinary career then took him to places as far-flung as a dude ranch in Wyoming and a castle in southern England, with stops in fine-dining restaurants along the way. He finally returned to Charlottesville to open Gearharts Fine Chocolates, where he and his team have been crafting distinctive artisan chocolates enjoyed by customers near and far.