m cacao
While on vacation in Peru with his family, Michael Nichols of Newburyport, Mass., became introduced to the world of chocolate. The experience inspired Nichols, then a robotics engineer, to enroll in culinary school. It was there he soon met Delphin Gomes, a world-renowned chocolatier and pastry chef originally from the Burgundy region of France. The two formed a partnership, ultimately founding m cacao (6 Chestnut St., Amesbury, Mass., 617-334-5777, mcacao.com), a small-batch chocolate shop now open on the second floor of Amesbury’s historic Trades Mill. In addition to an eclectic selection of chocolates, from loaded chocolate macarons to chile- and chocolate-dipped caramels, m cacao’s offerings include molten drinking chocolates and single-batch ice creams and even macaron ice cream sandwiches. The shop is also known for its hands-on chocolate and pastry classes, as well as its “Free Chocolate Fridays,” when, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors are invited to try the latest creations and seasonal specials. The Scene recently caught up with Nichols to talk about his chocolate-making journey and some of his must-try recommendations.
How long has m cacao been around?
Two years.
What makes m cacao unique?
My partnership with Chef Delphin Gomes. He’s a classically trained pastry chef and chocolatier with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. We have a great partnership and together we come up with some great innovative ideas to create chocolate.
What is something that everyone should try?
That would be the macaron ice cream sandwiches. They are handcrafted with our own ice cream, and they are delicious.
What is your personal favorite item that you offer in your collection?
I love the opera. For a long time, I’ve wanted to create an opera cake into chocolate. … I learned how to make it under Chef [Gomes] in pastry school. He worked at Dalloyau in Paris, and that’s where the opera cake was created.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?
The community. The people in Amesbury are very supportive to local businesses, and there’s a growing foodie community around here. They are very supportive in what we’re doing.
What celebrity would you like to see visiting m cacao?
I’d like to have an order from George Gershwin. I would ask him to write a song about our chocolate.
What is an essential skill to running a specialty chocolate shop?
Really caring and having a personal interest in what you’re making, and caring about making the best.
— Matt Ingersoll
Photo courtesy of m cacao.
