Robert Steinberg (chocolate maker)
Robert Wayne Steinberg (March 4, 1947 – September 17, 2008) was an American physician who co-founded Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker in 1996 with John Scharffenberger, his friend and former patient.[1][2]
Early life
Robert Steinberg was born on March 4, 1947, in
Steinberg received his
Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker
Steinberg was diagnosed in 1989 with lymphoma, a disease which he would battle for nearly twenty years.[1][2] At the time, Steinberg was given a 50% chance of succumbing to the disease within ten years of his diagnosis.[2] He realized that his full-time profession as a physician would be difficult with the necessary medical treatment. As a result of his diagnosis, Steinberg began exploring his own interests and alternative career paths.[1]
A friend of Steinberg's introduced him to
Steinberg returned from Lyons to California following the end of his Bernachon internship. He soon ran into his neighbor and former patient, John Scharffenberger. Scharffenberger was in the process of selling his winery, called Scharffenberger Cellars, at the time.[2] Steinberg gave Scharffenberger a sample of the Bernachon French chocolates. The chocolate had been in Steinberg's pocket for a long time, but Scharffenberger declared it, "tasted better than anything I'd ever had."[2] The two soon began talking about joining forces as partners.[2]
Steinberg and Scharffenberger set up a test kitchen in Steinberg's home kitchen
In 1996, Steinberg and Scharffenberger opened a small
Scharffen Berger Chocolate hit the
Consumer demand led Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker to relocate to a larger factory in 2001, complete with a
Scharffen Berger was acquired by
Death
Robert Steinberg died on September 17, 2008, of
References
- ^ New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Nelson, Valerie J. (2008-09-28). "Robert Steinberg dies at 61; founded chocolatier Scharffen Berger". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ^ a b Jones, Carolyn (2008-09-23). "Physician, chocolatier Robert Steinberg dies". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-10-03.