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  Hershey has named former PepsiCo executive Kirk Tanner as its new president and CEO to succeed Michele Buck, who had announced her intention to retire in June next year. Tanner, who is president and CEO of the fast-food chain Wendy's, will take on his new appointments at the US-headquartered confectionery and salty snacks maker on 18 August.  Buck, meanwhile, will "work closely with Tanner in a senior advisory capacity to ensure his successful transition", according to a statement from the publicly listed business, which owns brand such as Reese's and SkinnyPop popcorn. The outgoing CEO, who has been at the company for around two decades and has helmed Hershey for the past eight years, revealed in January that she planned to  step down on 30 June 2026 .   Before joining Wendy's in February 2024, Tanner spent over 30 years at PepsiCo, holding various senior leadership roles.  Mary Kay Haben, lead independent director and chair of the CEO search committee, ...

  https://www.valrhona.com/en Valrhona is a highly esteemed French chocolate manufacturer, renowned globally for its high-quality dark chocolate, particularly among professional pastry chefs and chocolatiers. It's often considered a benchmark in the world of gourmet chocolate. Here's what makes Valrhona dark chocolate special:  * Exceptional Quality and Craftsmanship:    * Bean-to-Bar Approach (in essence): Valrhona has a long-standing history of being deeply involved in its cocoa sourcing. They have a team of "sourcers" who develop direct, long-term relationships with cocoa producers worldwide, allowing them to select the finest beans with distinct flavor profiles.    * Precise Techniques: They employ precise roasting, grinding, and conching techniques to develop the complex flavors and achieve the signature smooth texture of their chocolates. They've been pioneers, for example, in creating higher percentage dark chocolates like Guanaja 70%, which was the ...

  The most prestigious dark chocolate manufacturers, based on gross sales, are generally  Mars, Inc., Ferrero, Mondelez, and Nestlé .  These companies dominate the global chocolate market in terms of revenue.  While "prestige" can be subjective, these companies are known for their wide distribution and brand recognition, and they also produce premium dark chocolate offerings.   Here's a more detailed look:   Mars, Inc. : A massive, privately held company with brands like M&M's, Snickers, and Dove (Galaxy in some markets), Mars is the largest chocolate company globally. They also have a strong focus on sustainability through their "Cocoa for Generations" program.  Ferrero : Known for brands like Ferrero Rocher and Kinder, Ferrero is a leader in premium and innovative chocolates. They are also known for using high-quality ingredients and strong branding.  Mondelez : With brands like Cadbury and Milka, Mondelez is another major player i...