James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Symon has partnered with Kitchen Works by Sodexo to launch a limited-edition holiday treat: Festive Dark Chocolate Bark. Available now at all Kitchen Works locations across the United States, the confection combines melted dark chocolate with toasted pistachios, dried cherries, and salt flakes, offering workers a gourmet indulgence without leaving their workplace.
The bark reflects Symon's Greek and Sicilian heritage and his Cleveland upbringing, which emphasize bold flavors and family traditions. "The holidays have always been about bringing people together around the table to laugh, cook, and share a great meal," Symon said. "My mom makes the most incredible baklava loaded with pistachios, so I've always had a soft spot for them when it comes to dessert, and anyone who knows me knows I'm a total chocolate guy. That's where the idea for Festive Dark Chocolate Bark came from."
Joe Ganci, President of Sodexo Corporate Services, North America, highlighted the collaboration's significance: "Chef Symon continues to elevate what it means to eat well at work. At Kitchen Works, we believe the workplace cafe can be so much more than a place to grab lunch. It's a space for connection, community, and food that fuels you."
Kitchen Works, a brand under Sodexo, focuses on chef-driven workplace dining with bold flavors and nourishing ingredients. Since partnering with Symon in 2024, the brand has introduced dishes like Smokey Cherry Pork Grits, Juicy Lucy Double Cheese and Bacon Burger, and Symon Says Meatball. The new bark joins a lineup of seasonal items designed to make eating well easy during the busy holiday season.
Symon's culinary influence extends beyond his restaurants, Angeline and Bar Symon, to his podcast Chewed Up and Food Network shows 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing and Symon's Dinners. His latest cookbook, Symon's Dinners: Cooking Out, became a New York Times bestseller. The Festive Dark Chocolate Bark aims to bring a sense of family and community to tables nationwide, as Symon noted: "I hope it brings that same sense of family and community to tables nationwide."
For more information about Kitchen Works, visit https://us.sodexo.com/brands/kitchen-works.
