Zeba Kohli: Fantasie Fine Chocolates, Head, Chocolate Sommelier, Chocolate Educator & International Judge & Taster

India has always known how to celebrate its icons… the stars who define its cinema, the legends who rule its cricket fields, the designers who dress the world. But there is one realm where the country has yet to crown its champion: chocolate. Not the chocolate of childhood nostalgia, but the chocolate of craft, of terroir, of story… the kind that speaks of Indian cacao farms kissed by monsoon rains and of bean-to-bar makers quietly reshaping an industry.

Every great movement needs a voice, and in an exclusive conversation with Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheGlitz, it becomes clear that India’s chocolate renaissance may already have one in Fantasie Fine Chocolates, Head, Chocolate Sommelier, Chocolate Educator, International Judge & Taster, Project Consultant, T.V. Show Host, TEDx Speaker and Illustrious Author – Zeba Kohli.

Warm, deeply intuitive, and disarmingly grounded, Zeba is not just a chocolatier but a storyteller of taste… someone who can trace the journey of a cacao bean from soil to palate, who has spent decades nurturing Fantasie Fine Chocolates started by her grandfather with integrity and heart, and who continues to share her knowledge with an almost childlike passion for the craft.

There’s a quiet conviction about her, the kind that doesn’t seek the spotlight but earns it… built on years of learning, teaching, experimenting, and simply believing in chocolate long before it became fashionable. And perhaps that is what makes this moment feel personal. Because in Zeba, you don’t just meet a celebrity or an expert… you meet someone who has lived her life in devotion to an idea, to a flavour, to a feeling. India doesn’t need a brand ambassador who merely promotes chocolate; it needs someone who believes in it with both credibility and soul.

That person, as TheGlitz sees it, is Zeba Kohli… and perhaps the real question is not whether India needs a chocolate ambassador, but how long it will take to recognise the one it already has.

Over To Zeba Kohli, Fantasie Fine Chocolates, Head | Chocolate Sommelier | Chocolate Educator | International Judge & Taster | T.V. Show Host | TEDx Speaker | Author

You are often called the “Queen of Chocolate” in India, yet you’ve always remained understated. Why is that?

Zeba Kohli: I think the truth is, I’ve never really focused on branding or packaging myself, my focus has always been on the work… on learning, creating, and keeping my grandfather’s legacy alive through Fantasie Fine Chocolates, which was founded in 1946. It was never about projecting myself as a brand, but about ensuring the brand remained relevant, authentic, and true to its values. Interestingly, I’ve spent a lot of my time promoting and celebrating other brands, rather than building my own narrative.

And yet, your body of work is incredibly vast and impressive…

Zeba Kohli: I’ve been fortunate to have had some wonderful experiences. I’ve represented international brands, worked with global teams of chefs, been associated with luxury labels, and even had my own TV show Gimme Chocolate. I’ve created recipes, curated pairings, worked on chocolate couture, and even made a short film on non-violence using chocolate. It’s been a very rich and diverse journey… but I’ve always seen it as work I love, rather than milestones to showcase.

I think recognition has come in its own way. But what’s interesting is that it’s only recently, through my interactions with young entrepreneurs, that I’ve started seeing myself through a different lens. They perceive me as a large, established brand, which made me pause and reflect. I realised that while I’ve built a strong body of work, I haven’t fully leveraged it for myself.

So is this a turning point for you?

Zeba Kohli: Absolutely. I feel I’m in one of the best phases of my life right now. I have a strong foundation, a brand with integrity, and decades of experience. Now, I’m excited to relaunch, rebrand, and recreate the magic… both for Fantasie Fine Chocolates and as “Brand Zeba.” I want to bring my work forward in a more structured way.

You’ve always emphasised learning and sharing. How central is that to who you are?

Zeba Kohli: It’s everything. I love to learn, and I love to share what I’ve learned. That gives me immense satisfaction. When I see people, I’ve mentored or worked with, become successful and go on to create something meaningful, that makes me proud. Today, I’m packaging my knowledge into curated chocolate experiences… tasting sessions, sensory workshops, and entrepreneurial modules, so people can engage with chocolate on a deeper, more meaningful level.

At this stage in life, how do you define success?

Zeba Kohli: That’s something I’m rethinking. Success can mean many things… recall value, business, recognition, but for me, today, it’s about relevance and sustainability. For Fantasie Fine Chocolates, success means being commercially viable, staying alive, and continuing to grow. For me personally, it’s about what I bring to the table… my experience, my knowledge, and my ability to create meaningful impact.
I don’t really believe in failure. It’s just a learning process… a misstep, a reset. Every experience teaches you something, and that’s what makes the journey beautiful. You have to embrace it.

You’ve worked extensively with chocolate… what excites you about it even today?

Zeba Kohli: Chocolate is far more complex than people think. People believe they understand it, but true appreciation comes from training your palate… understanding taste, texture, origin, and balance. I want to help people experience chocolate more deeply, not just consume it.

You once mentioned that India grows a lot of cocoa, yet much of it goes abroad. Why is that?

Zeba Kohli: That’s changing now. Earlier, while India grew cocoa, there wasn’t enough awareness or understanding of its value. Today, with the rise of bean-to-bar brands, there’s a much deeper appreciation of Indian cocoa. Terroir, soil, sourcing… these factors are becoming important. We’re finally seeing a shift where Indian ingredients and craftsmanship are being valued within the country as well.

You’ve taken forward Fantasie Fine Chocolates, your grandfather’s legacy, so beautifully…

Zeba Kohli: Fantasie Fine Chocolates is a very special brand… it was born in 1946, and its story is deeply emotional. My grandfather named it in memory of his son, whose fantasy was to create the finest family-run chocolate brand in India. For me, the next step is to position Fantasie as a niche, premium offering, especially for NRIs visiting India, wedding giveaways, and curated gifting.

…Because we are a fresh product brand, we don’t have a long shelf life like commercial chocolates, so we’ve consciously stayed niche. I would like to expand, but very selectively… just a few outlets, keeping the exclusivity intact while strengthening its identity as something truly special.

There’s also a strong social impact element to Fantasie Fine Chocolates, isn’t there?

Zeba Kohli: Absolutely. That’s something very close to my heart. My grandfather started by employing women who were widowed or divorced… at a time when it was taboo for women to work. I’ve continued that legacy.

We hire people who may not have had the easiest start in life, train them, upskill them, and support their growth. We even teach them computer skills, and their children often intern with us. It’s about building a community, not just a business. I strongly believe in nurturing and educating local talent rather than just acquiring it.

You are also an international chocolate taster and judge. How did that journey begin?

Zeba Kohli: It happened very organically. I was invited to judge at international platforms… starting with Italy… and I said “yes” because it was an incredible learning opportunity. To judge chocolate, you have to taste extensively… hundreds of chocolates from across the world… to understand flavour notes, textures, and nuances.

Over the years, my palate has evolved tremendously, and I’ve been invited repeatedly. It’s been an intense but incredibly enriching journey.

What is it like tasting hundreds of chocolates in a short span?

Zeba Kohli: It’s exhilarating! People often ask how I can taste 800–900 chocolates in a few days without getting bored… but I never do. Each chocolate is unique, shaped by its geography, ingredients, and processing.

We follow a strict tasting protocol… our palate is cleansed with specially infused tea, and we consume completely neutral foods like salt-free bread. We taste small portions, just enough to understand the profile. Over time, you start identifying differences in cacao, milk, sugar, fermentation, roasting… it’s a whole world in itself.

What excites you most about chocolate today?

Zeba Kohli: The evolution. Today, there’s a deeper understanding of cacao… its origin, terroir, and processing. We’re also seeing innovations, like “cousins of cacao” entering the market. It’s fascinating how diverse and layered chocolate has become, both in flavour and in its nutritional aspects.

Beyond chocolate, what else are you passionate about right now?

Zeba Kohli: I’m a people’s person. My life journey… through its ups and downs… has taught me so much. I love sharing that with others, especially women.

Many women wonder if it’s too late to start something new, or how to feel their best. Through my sessions… whether chocolate tastings or interactive workshops, I share my learnings, my lifestyle, my mantras. It’s a very holistic experience, and people walk away feeling energised and inspired.

What’s next for you and Fantasie Fine Chocolates?

Zeba Kohli: I want to expand the experience of chocolate… through workshops, corporate sessions, sensory journeys, and curated offerings like wedding favours and luxury gifting. It’s about creating moments, not just products. I want people to engage with chocolate in a way that feels personal, immersive, and memorable.

What would you say to young entrepreneurs looking up to you?

Zeba Kohli: Own your talent, keep learning, and define success on your own terms. Don’t just chase visibility… focus on substance. And most importantly, enjoy the process. That’s where the real magic lies.

What are your personal mantras for life?

Zeba Kohli: One, I flow seamlessly from moment to moment. I don’t carry baggage from one moment into the next. If something needs attention, I make a note and deal with it later.

Second, I never react impulsively. I pause, reflect, sometimes even sleep over a decision before taking a call. That clarity is very important to me.

Zeba, India has brand ambassadors for so many categories. Do you think chocolate, especially Indian chocolate, needs one too?

Zeba Kohli: I truly feel it’s the need of the hour. We have a tendency to celebrate and invite a lot of international talent, which is wonderful… but at the same time, every country also champions its own people. In India, I see a huge void when it comes to representing niche categories like chocolate. Having a brand ambassador for Indian cacao and chocolate would give it the visibility and respect it deserves. It could even be something supported at a larger level, perhaps by institutions or the government, to really spotlight Indian chocolate on the global stage.

You’ve done so much… Chocolatier, International Judge & Taster, TV host, author, judge. What do you enjoy the most?

Zeba Kohli: Honestly, I enjoy everything equally. I had fun hosting my TV show, writing books, doing events, giving talks… and I’m having just as much fun right now, talking to you.

That’s my philosophy… I live fully in the moment and give my best to whatever I’m doing. I don’t compare experiences; I just immerse myself in them.

Q: Finally, is there a quote or philosophy that defines you?

Zeba Kohli: Yes: “Everything will come and go, but above all, be good.”

That really resonates with me. You can experience everything life has to offer, but at the core, it’s about being good… as you define it, not as the world tells you.

TheGlitz Take

India stands at the cusp of a chocolate renaissance, where its cacao, craftsmanship, and creativity are finally beginning to find their voice. What the industry needs now is recognition at a larger, institutional level… an acknowledgment that Indian chocolate is not just emerging, but exceptional. The time has come for a definitive brand ambassador who can represent this narrative globally with both authority and authenticity. And in Zeba Kohli, India already has that rare combination of legacy, expertise, and passion. As TheGlitz sees it, she isn’t just a fitting choice… she is the voice Indian chocolate has been waiting for.