Sweet Bella is one of Calgary’s top chocolatiers, using new and adventurous combinations of teas and spices to create unique flavours. Pastry Chef Kevin Conniff started Sweet Bella as a labour of love, growing it from a passion project to a thriving local business with products in over 10 locations. The name Sweet Bella means “the sweet beautiful” – a concept perfectly captured in the eccentric flavours and intricately engraved chocolate bars that the company is known for.

Kevin is a classically trained pastry chef with 25 years of experience, and currently working as a Pastry Chef Instructor at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). He was recently featured on Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship”, Season 10, making it to the final episode with his masterful creations. He was the only Canadian contestant out of twelve bakers, showcasing the culinary talent that Calgary has to offer.

Growing up in New York, he got his first job in a bakery as a dishwasher in 1992. He was instantly hooked, quickly learning the skills of the trade and developing a lifelong interest in the culinary arts.  In his early days of pastry school, tempering chocolate was one of his weakest skills. Today, his passion for entrepreneurship and unlimited creativity has helped him build a beloved chocolate company.

Kevin and his wife Melissa share a love for coffee, tea, red wine and sweet treats, which inspired his diverse range of chocolate flavours. His sons often join him in the chocolate shop, listening to 90’s hip hop and rock alt music while learning important life skills including finances, sales, and most importantly - how to have fun with your work.