About Us
Dale and Linda Lokkesmoe
The idea of our chocolate shop grew out of Linda’s lifelong love of cooking and chocolate. She is passionate and talented at creating fabulous gourmet meals and desserts. Inspired by culinary trips to Switzerland, France, Greece, and Italy, Linda enjoys creating and reproducing amazing sensory experiences.
When Dale retired from a career as a psychologist, and sold his Lakeville clinic in 2020, he was looking for a new challenge. Highly skilled at building new ventures, Dale’s business experience has been a perfect blend with Linda’s gourmet touch in creating Masterpiece Chocolates.
Dale and Linda spent most of 2021 receiving international chocolatier training in the art of chocolate making. We’ve also been honing our creative skills. We enjoy the technical chemistry of handcrafting chocolate bonbons as well as the creative flair of making a beautiful, sensational piece.
Our training and experimentation with chocolate has brought out more of Dale’s creative side, and more of Linda’s analytical process. Linda brings years of process and efficiency insight in her primary career as an IT Project Manager. Both of us have fine attention to detail. At one point, Linda remarked, “I think you make more beautiful chocolates than I do!”
Kellie Stockton
Kellie joined the Masterpiece Chocolates team in October 2021. Here is what she has to say about being a part of our team:
“I’m excited to introduce the experience of these decadent delights to the community. Having worked in the food industry for over 10 years, I know how important quality ingredients are in a recipe. So I couldn’t be more excited to be with a company that uses local and pure ingredients.”
Mariah Bedford
My name is Mariah Bedford and I am a 27 year old aspiring to one day open my own bakery that is as beautiful and successful as Masterpiece Chocolates! Dale and Linda have so graciously taken me under their wing to teach e the ins and outs of chocolatiering and running a successful business. I am confident that soe of my baking skills and knowledge will be just as useful to the in return. My specialties are simple sweet treats using everyday ingredients at home. I also make an unforgettable Key Lime Macaroon! I look forward to rowing with my Masterpiece Chocolates family and hope my community will suppot me in my journey in the baking world!
