Patti Taylor, left, and Nichelle Patel work Thursday at the Cake Boutique.FAST FACTSName and age: Nichelle Patel, 34.Occupation: Chocolatier/baker.Education: Bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Nottingham University, England.Family: Husband Divyes Patel, children Shaylan and Shreeya.Chef you aspire to be like: A combination of “Mr. Chocolate,” Jacques Torres, and the “Cake Boss,” Buddy Valastro.People would be surprised to know: I am called by my customers “The Chocolate Chick from Chattanooga.”Most difficult thing she’s made in chocolate: Over 500 high-heel shoes, size 6 1/2, handmade within seven days.
For eight years Nichelle Patel worked as a biochemist at a nationally known, local consumer-goods company formulating dietary supplements and managing a consumer-relations group.
She left the lab three years ago when she made the decision to be a stay-at-home mom with her two young children.
But within three months, she was formulating a second career in chocolate.
This self-taught chocolatier and baker began with simple chocolate treats, expanded into custom designs, then found a market for them, which led to the creation of her cottage industry, The Chocolate Box.