L.A. Chocolate Academy
brings premium chocolate education and artisanal experiences to culinary enthusiasts
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Elevating craft to a global platform
Chef Luis Amado is an internationally recognised master chocolatier, known for creating some of the most refined and visually striking bonbons in the world. Through his academy, he shares his techniques with students both online and in person, while also working globally with brands and businesses to elevate their chocolate production and scale their operations. Alongside his independent work, he is a principal educator at the University of Michigan, where he teaches culinary arts at an advanced level.
His mission? To make high-level chocolate craftsmanship more accessible without compromising its artistry. By combining precision, creativity, and real-world commercial insight, Chef Amado empowers both individuals and businesses to refine their skills, expand their capabilities, and bring world class products to life.
VIEW LIVE SITESERVICES
- UX/UI Design
- Web Development
- Content Management
- Sanity CMS
- Podia LMS
THE CHALLENGE
Scaling a One Man Powerhouse
Chef Amado had built a global reputation—but his digital presence hadn't caught up. Outside of Instagram, there was no central platform that reflected his level of expertise, artistry, or professional standing. For a chocolatier operating at the highest level, this created a disconnect between perception and reality.
At the same time, his education process was entirely manual. Every course enquiry, payment, confirmation, and piece of communication was handled personally, often for dozens of students each month. While this approach was personal, it wasn't sustainable. As demand grew, so did the pressure on his time, limiting his ability to focus on what mattered most: creating, teaching, and evolving his craft.
THE CHALLENGE
Building an ecosystem, not just a website
We approached the project as more than a website build—it needed to become a system that could support Chef Amado's growing demand without losing the personal, high-touch nature of his teaching. We designed and developed a refined personal website that captured his level of craftsmanship and positioned him as both an artist and educator, while creating clear pathways into his academy, collaborations, and global bookings.
To solve the operational challenges, we integrated Podia as the backbone of his education platform, enabling students to enroll, pay, and access course content, live sessions, and materials in a single, streamlined experience. We paired this with automated Instagram funnels using ManyChat, allowing prospective students to instantly receive course information and sign up links, removing the need for manual back and forth communication.
Beyond the platform, we elevated the entire experience through content and detail. We produced product photography for his collaborations with Greyas and Chef Rubber, and coordinated video content featuring Chef Amado himself, combining talking head segments with b-roll to bring depth and personality to the site. Subtle interactive elements like the trailing bonbon cursor added a layer of delight while staying true to his aesthetic, creating a digital experience that feels as considered as his work.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Automated enrollment and content delivery, removing manual workload entirely
What was once a fully manual process handling enquiries, payments, confirmations, and course access, was transformed into a seamless system. By integrating both Sanity & Podia with automated Instagram funnels, students can now move from discovery to enrollment in minutes, with immediate access to everything they need.
The result is a shift from constant admin to scalable education, freeing Chef Amado to focus on teaching, creating, and expanding his reach.
Subtle interaction design that reflects the artistry of the craft
Capturing Chef Amado's work digitally wasn't about adding noise, it was about restraint and precision. The interface needed to feel as refined as his chocolate artistry, where every detail is intentional. Interactive touches like the trailing bonbon cursor introduced movement and personality without overwhelming the experience, creating a sense of play that still felt premium and controlled.
THE CHALLENGE
Freeing time, scaling impact
The transformation wasn't just technical, it reshaped how the academy operates. What once required days of back-and-forth communication is now immediate. Students can discover, enroll, and begin their journey without friction, while Chef Amado is no longer tied up managing every step of the process manually.
The headless CMS architecture and LMS integration means LA Chocolate Academy can update their content as easily as they update their course offerings, ensuring their digital presence stays as fresh as their chocolate. It's a website that not only showcases their expertise but also grows with them, adapting to their evolving educational needs.
At the same time, the system creates space for growth. With more time freed up, Chef Amado can focus on expanding his content, refining his teaching, and exploring new formats beyond live sessions. Combined with a growing student community and word of mouth momentum, the platform sets the foundation for a scalable education model that continues to evolve alongside his work.
“Working with Fireplace was a fantastic experience. They sped up the process by leveraging quality frameworks and templates, but their meticulous fine-tuning and seamless integration of bespoke elements resulted in a high-quality, professional website. The site feels completely custom, saving us a lot of time without sacrificing quality. Their focus on the admin user experience was an extra delight, making content management smooth and intuitive. Bonny and Ryan were always supportive and available, making the collaboration even more valuable. I highly recommend them to anyone.”
Chef Luis Amado
Founder, L.A. Chocolate Academy
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