Chocolatier, chef, innovator, “artist” and avid cyclist, Chris Kollar is the owner of Kollar Chocolates, an award-winning artisan chocolate shop located in the heart of Yountville in the Napa Valley.

Chef Kollar earned the Food Network’s Chopped title in 2020, is named Dessert Professional Magazine’s Top Ten Chocolatiers of North America, and appointed as a Specialized Bicycles Brand Ambassador.

Trained as a savory chef, Kollar worked in kitchens across the country for 25+ years, starting with his hometown of Lilburn, Georgia. In 2001 he settled in the Napa Valley and worked at notable restaurants, including Domaine Chandon, Tra Vigne, Pinot Blanc, Go Fish, and, ultimately, Peter Michael Winery in Sonoma County as Executive Chef, where his passion for chocolate flourished.

Kollar traveled Europe extensively, notably Switzerland, France, and Italy, to further study and learn about traditional chocolates as well as trained with admired Chocolatiers. Using this knowledge and taking it back to his craft, Kollar blends European classic chocolate techniques with his savory culinary background.