About us

Many people have a family recipe that could be a successful commercial venture if they decided to market it, but few act.  One who did was Arlene Dutchik of San Diego.  For years, Dutchik’s friends and family praised a candy she made each holiday season based on a recipe handed down from her grandmother.  After considering the pros and cons, she decided to see if what they were telling her about her candy was true.  So she started to produce for sale “Arlene’s Gourmet Toffee” and she marketed it informally through word of mouth, and eventually through local boutiques in the Carmel Valley area of San Diego. 

Today, Arlene’s Gourmet Toffee has grown from a kitchen-counter labor of love for friends and family to rapidly growing small business.  Dutchik decided to up shift her ambitions in October 2005, just after her mother, Mollie Lenarth, retired from her career with The Walt Disney Company.  After doing their homework on all aspects of running a commercial food business, including purchasing, sales, marketing and production, Dutchik and Lenarth leased a commercial kitchen and launched in earnest their new venture.

Earlier this year, her Toffee received recognition as a “Hot Product” for Rave Reviews Magazine, the preeminent source for gourmet and gift basket ideas.

Arlene’s Gourmet Toffee can be purchased with a click, call.   For more information, please visit www.gourmettoffee.com or call 858-509-3037.