Ann Blackwood is the owner of Casually Elegant, specializing in chocolate creations, desserts and event planning services located in Norwalk, Ohio in Huron County.

One of fifteen children, Ann Lesch Blackwood began her cooking career at age 5, learning from her mother and older sisters and adapting family recipes from garden fresh products and always prepared from scratch. After high school, her curiosity and creativity in the kitchen led her to become directly involved in the catering industry working for Rosemarie Catering and Chocolatier. It was during this time that Ann distinguished herself as the areas most unique and extraordinary event specialist and chocolatier.

Ann has had the distinct privilege to apprentice under the late Bill Hogan, master chocolatier of the former Fanny Farmer Candy Company and The House of Bauer, Robert Bennett formerly of Miel Patisserie, Colette Peters, and Elaine Gonzales and has had the distinct honor to be the guest chocolatier for Charles Trotter.

A curious and aspiring chef, Ann combined her unique talent and love of foods with the knowledge and experience of other professionals in the industry culminating in the establishment of her own company, Casually Elegant. Founded in 2002, Casually Elegant now serves individual clients and numerous organizations throughout the United States.

She has appeared as a guest on radio programs, performs demonstrations in chocolate and pastry all around the Northeast Ohio area and participates in Sweet Charity’s Chocolate Fashion Show in Washington D.C. Ann and her company Casually Elegant also contribute to various charitable organizations with local school and community event fundraisers.

The SBDC at Ashland University has worked with Ann for the past 2 years, concentrating in the area of strategic planning, as well as in the development and evaluation of various marketing plans and techniques for the domestic and international markets.