Transforming chocolate dreams into thriving small batch bean to bar livelihoods since 2014

Social media comment praising Next Batch founder for empowering students by teaching foundational principles.

Text from social media post praising the Next Batch founder's expertise in craft chocolate making and their detailed experience.

Instagram comment praising the Next Batch chocolate course.

Hard-earned wisdom gained through real-life experiences.

You’ll learn each step of the bean to bar process from a small batch maker who created a wildly successful chocolate company, and understands the surprising challenges and struggles of bringing chocolate dreams to life.

Award winning craft chocolate maker and Next Batch founder in the livestream chocolate kitchen.

Next Batch founder, Mackenie Rivers: driven by curiosity, with a love for small batch bean to bar

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"Mackenzie is one of the most inspiring, kind, fun and knowledgeable persons I've ever known. This course is like no other and I enjoyed every second of it."

Michelle van Schaick, founder Faraway Garden Chocolate, Academy of Chocolate judge
"Thank you for all your inspiration and amazing creations. You are a staple of the craft chocolate scene."

Fjak Chocolate, Norway
"You made an incredible and indelible mark on my work and this community. Thank you for your passion and art, your skills, and generosity."

David Upchurch, chocolatier
"The Next Batch class is 100% what kept me going and made me feel better about taking a huge, risky leap forward. This year has taught me so much, and being a part of the Next Batch Community has been a huge part of it all. I learned so much that we just didn't do at _____, thanks to you, and I'm grateful for your time and willingness to help other chocolate makers pave their own way forward in the industry.

Elizabeth Gentry, founder Harvest Chocolate
"I would probably not still be making chocolate had it not been for Mackenzie and the Next Batch School. Her words of wisdom, patience, humility and willingness to repeat things she has already said make her a real life Yoda in my world."

Tyler Cagwin, founder Nostalgia Chocolates
"I have dared to take risks and experiment with flavors all because of you. Thank you for sharing your craft and wisdom."

EndeCacao
"I am on record saying that just one of the reasons I like her work is her fearless approach to flavor. Her work is just plain fun to eat--and always meticulously crafted."

Clay Gordon, Discover Choc and The Chocolate Life
“For years I’ve been telling people you are the most artistic chocolate maker I know of!”

—Lowe Bibby, creator of the Chocofiles worldwide tasting database
"By the end of Day one I knew I’d hit the chocolate jackpot.”

Estelle Tracy, chocolate sommelier, 37 Chocolates
"...truly a gamechanger."

Aaron Sylvester, Tri-Island Chocolate, and Grenada Chocolate Co
“I have been a chocolatier for over a decade. Making craft chocolate enticed and intimidated me. I never felt ready to try it. Then, one day, I was listening to Lauren's Well Tempered podcast where she chatted with you and I was so touched by your conversation. I felt like I was invited by a kindred spirit to meet chocolate in a new way. A more playful and poetic way. Thank you.”
~~Christy Farion

SETTING UP A WORKSPACE

for small space crafting with big results

THE CRAFT OF BEAN to BAR

from dream to passion to business

FROM a CHOCOLATE MAKER'S SUCCESS STORY

learn tried & true methods, mistakes and a-ha moments, flavor pioneering, and a lot of cacaolove

CRAFTING THE CHOCOLATE RAINBOW

the how-to’s for every type of chocolate, traditional and plant-based

CRAFT YOUR BEST CHOCOLATE

creative crafting in your own unique style, sharing your own unique story, following your own unique dream

THE B SIDE OF CRAFT CHOCOLATE

products, packaging, budget, growing, marketing, repeat

Swirls of white, dark, and milk chocolate marbling on chocolate coffee latte bars

how to bring your chocolate goals to life

choosing equipment to fit your space and production needs

Teaching bean to bar chocolate and sharing real-life insights through the lens of a small batch chocolate maker’s path to success

we’re on Instagram @thenextbatchschool

Transforming chocolate dreams into thriving small batch bean to bar livelihoods since 2014

Hard-earned wisdom gained through real-life experiences.

You’ll learn each step of the bean to bar process from a small batch maker who created a wildly successful chocolate company, and understands the surprising challenges and struggles of bringing chocolate dreams to life.

"Mackenzie is one of the most inspiring, kind, fun and knowledgeable persons I've ever known. This course is like no other and I enjoyed every second of it."

"Thank you for all your inspiration and amazing creations. You are a staple of the craft chocolate scene."

"You made an incredible and indelible mark on my work and this community. Thank you for your passion and art, your skills, and generosity."

"I would probably not still be making chocolate had it not been for Mackenzie and the Next Batch School. Her words of wisdom, patience, humility and willingness to repeat things she has already said make her a real life Yoda in my world."

"I have dared to take risks and experiment with flavors all because of you. Thank you for sharing your craft and wisdom."

"I am on record saying that just one of the reasons I like her work is her fearless approach to flavor. Her work is just plain fun to eat--and always meticulously crafted."

“For years I’ve been telling people you are the most artistic chocolate maker I know of!”

"By the end of Day one I knew I’d hit the chocolate jackpot.”

"...truly a gamechanger."

Teaching bean to bar chocolate and sharing real-life insights through the lens of a small batch chocolate maker’s path to success

the Next Batch™