The Story Behind BONBON Bakeshop

 

At BONBON Bakeshop, every truffle, tart, and treat tells a story — one of passion, craft, and a little serendipity.

 

It all began at the Skokie Farmers Market in the summer of 2023, where two seasoned pastry chefs—Stefan Markov of The Naked Truffle and Karianne Soulsby of Diva Chocolates & Confections—met as fellow vendors. While their personalities couldn’t be more different, their shared love for handcrafted sweets and deep culinary roots sparked a friendship—and eventually—a vision.

Stefan brought with him years of experience from Michelin-starred kitchens and chocolate houses across Canada, France, and the U.S., along with a dream to create sustainable, world-inspired chocolates.

Karianne, a graduate of The French Pastry School in Chicago, had made her mark in acclaimed restaurants and luxury hotels with her creative, personality-driven desserts. During the pandemic, she launched her own line of quirky confections, quickly becoming a local favorite.

 

One warm summer morning, Stefan casually proposed, “How about you and me open a shop together?” Without hesitation, Karianne said yes—and just like that, BONBON Bakeshop was born.

Together, they’ve created a space where beautiful, handcrafted chocolates meet uniquely delicious baked goods, all made with intention, precision, and joy. BONBON is more than a bakery—it’s a celebration of craft, community, and collaboration.