Award-winning chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix is recognized for his innovative blend of artistry and culinary expertise. Renowned for being one of the world’s preeminent chefs and designers of luxury chocolates, he’s the visionary founder of Phillip Ashley Chocolates and has elevated confectionery to an unparalleled level of sophistication and innovation. From humble beginnings, where he sold chocolates out the trunk of his car, to the pinnacle of success as the exclusive chocolatier for Cadillac, Rix’s journey epitomizes the American dream.
Rix, known for pushing the boundaries of flavors with intriguing pairings, has captivated discerning palates worldwide. His creations tantalize the senses, presenting a harmonious spectrum of flavors that go beyond typical tradition. Each decadent morsel tells a story—a narrative of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
In his latest partnership with Cadillac, Rix unveiled a bespoke collection created specifically for the handcrafted CELESTIQ EV. The collection was inspired by the luxury automaker’s iconic legacy. Each chocolate bears the hallmark of Rix’s genius, offering flavors that reflect extraordinary elegance. From saffron vanilla bean to black truffle fig, his creations are born of boundless creativity and his commitment to culinary excellence.
Rolling out caught up with Rix on the red carpet during the American Black Film Festival Honors, held in Beverly Hills at the luxurious SLS Hotel on March 3, 2024.
Tell me about the CELESTIQ inspired chocolate collection: what inspired the names and what makes them luxurious.
I worked with the CELESTIQ team for several months to devise a collection of chocolates that was really inspired by the vehicle itself. The name, Celestial Bodies, is a very luxury-forward group of chocolates. Much like the vehicle uses very expensive materials, we did the same things with the chocolates: highly customized, specifically for the vehicle. All the names, such as Goddess, Icon, Maverick, all dealt with the vehicle. It’s a very luxurious, expensive collection, all like the vehicle itself.
You’re a true artist. With all that you have going on in terms of scaling your business, how do you find time to be creative and develop new collections, such as the CELESTIQ Collection?
That’s when work has to happen at two and three o’clock in the morning. I’m constantly thinking in a creative state. Now, we have more of a planned process where we ensure we’re producing far in advance so that by Christmas time, our lines are already in production in our facility in Memphis and ready to go. Our collections are going to be more ornate and involved, and we’re going to focus more on signature collections.
Cadillac’s “Audacity” campaign is an expression of bold resilience. How would you define audacity in your words?
It means being passionate and going after what you want. It means delivering the very best and being a part of something that’s transformational, like the CELESTIQ. Making bold choices and being iconic all resonate with audacity.
Cadillac’s audacity campaign also talks about true icons. In your opinion, who are some iconic women in the industry who embody audacity, resilience, and innovation?
Issa Rae is one of my top favorites, simply because she’s able to pivot when things shift, and she does things her own way. Ava Duvernay is another iconic woman. There are so many other women out there, including Aunjanue Ellis. The movie she just did was incredible. I can go on and on.
