CUISINE
St . Louis ' Rich Chocolate History
BISSINGER ’ S HANDCRAFTED CHOCOLATIER The Bissinger family began its storied tradition of crafting confections in 17th-century France , where its legendary chocolate was enjoyed by European nobility and heads of state . According to accounts passed down from generation to generation , Bissinger ’ s confections were a delicacy among notable names such as Napoleon Bonaparte and the Rothschilds .
Some years later , in 1845 , Karl Bissinger left France , bringing his loyal master confectioner and all of the Bissinger family secrets to the United States . He settled just outside of Cincinnati , where he opened the very first Bissinger ’ s kitchen in America . In 1927 , his son , also named Karl , would carry on the Bissinger tradition , opening his own kitchen in St . Louis - the city that Bissinger ’ s still calls home . To this day , many of the company ’ s confections are made using original recipes from the Bissinger Family Cookbook , dated 1899 .
BUSY BEE CANDY Brothers Walter , Gilbert and William Candy started their St . Louis confectioner ’ s business in 1881 . The Candy brothers operated three Busy Bee Candy Kitchens downtown until 1935 when they sold the business , which continued until 1959 .
Hugh Campbell was one of Busy Bee ’ s biggest customers , spending more than $ 1,500 each year at a time when Busy Bee candies sold for 40 cents per pound . He donated the candy to local charities , but was known to give five-pound boxes of chocolates to his guests .
The Campbell House Museum continues this tradition with a Busy Bee branded line of candy made by renowned chocolatier , Chocolate , Chocolate , Chocolate Company .
74 GAZELLE STL