Sean Vehec: Cosplayer and Chocolatier.

Perhaps one of the best things about Cosplay Conventions would be meeting new people.

On July 18th, 2021, I was attending Bold Matsuri in Jacksonville, Florida. After spending a year unable to attend cosplay conventions on account of COVID- 19, it was refreshing to attend. While visiting old friends and meeting various celebrities and voice actors; aside with the fantastic amounts of cosplay, I came across a rather interesting character.

Sean Vehec was sitting at his Crafty Weavers booth when I met him. Perhaps the most interesting attribute about Sean Vehec was his Riddler cosplay. After all, who said merchants couldn't take part of the fun?

After spending some time with Sean, I learned a lot about him. Turns out there was quite a number of amazing things about Sean. Not only was he a cosplayer and merchant; Sean Vehec is also a budding chocolatier.

Tyler Hall: Would you like to tell us a little about yourself?

Sean Vehec: I’m 29 years old, I love anime, violin teacher, chess master, and amateur voice impressionist.

What developed your interest in pastries; mainly chocolate?

I was interested in it during my high school years, but pursued music. I went through a hard time in 2018, a car accident took away my violin ability in 2013, and I struggled in college because I couldn’t play.

I lost a friend at Pulse, and another due to a heart attack, had some family issues, was at a dead end job, was being bullied at said job, and my therapist and psychologist I felt were using me as an ATM and drowning me in debt. So I decided to end my life after Christmas before the new year.

My dad, a PhD in psychology and therapist, pulled me aside one day and said, “I know what you’re planning on doing and I want to ask for a chance to help. I want to enroll you at Valencia for a chocolatier class. If it doesn’t work, then the choice is yours. But I don’t want to regret not trying.” So I audited Chef Rujak’s class and fell in love with it as well as had a new raison D’êtra.

How long does it take to cook on average?

Depends on the recipe and quantity. I can whip out a fudge for ice cream in less than five minutes, and I can do any brittle in thirty. Plus there’s also a wait time if you want to enrobe chocolate or confections. Some need to rest overnight and if you’re experimenting, it can take longer than a usual amount of time.

Of all of your dishes, which are your top ten?

1. A vegan chocolate silk pie

2. Pumpkin seed brittle

3. Coffee jelly with a baileys Irish cream ganache

4. Blueberry gelée with a green tea ganache bon bon

5. Chocolate peanut butter melt aways

6. Crash-mallow bars

7. Honey Caramel

8. Chocolate espresso marshmallow

9. My “snickers” Recipe using my honey caramel and a Blueberry and honey nougat.

10. Gingerbread cookies

Where do you obtain your ingredients from?

Locally at the Cocoa Village craft fair. I buy local honey and a high quality vanilla from Mannix.

What is it that separates your chocolates from everyone else?

I’m trying to add an Anime feel to things as well as separate myself from using artificial flavors and corn syrup. I have friends whom are allergic to corn syrup so I started experimenting with honey.

Aside from creating chocolate, I notice you also take part in Convention sales. What lead you to do that?

I wanted to attend cons and have a booth where I can keep my purchased goodies and a place to sit. It also got my mom involved and ignited her passion for sewing.

Any idea as to when you will be able to open a store? And will it be a building or a website or both?

For Crafty Weavers, we have an online store with Etsy. As for a brick and mortar store, I think working in-house is better.

For Kawaii Kandy, I’m thinking a year to start selling at cons like a pop up shop. Maybe five to six years after that, I'll open a brick and mortar store. An online store I’m not sure about since shipping chocolate in Florida is a big problem.

Do you have anyone working with you? Or is it a one man show?

My mother, Dr. Bernadette Vehec, works along side me.

I notice you like cosplaying as The Riddler. Might I inquire as to what is appealing about him? A very interesting character no doubt.

I was bullied in school for being “slow” (I have a learning disability). Then I was bullied for being eloquent and college level educated ahead of my youth. Reading the Riddler in the Batman Comics I felt a kinship with because like him I feel the need to prove I’m intelligent.

Which actor was the best Riddler?

Frank Gorshin. Hands down

Back on topic; aside from chocolate, what sweets do you bake?

Brownies, cakes, cookies, rolls, breads; all the usual things.

Where could one taste your lovely concoctions? From what I gather, they seem to taste so good!

Random places. I typically try to sell at the local VFW in Orlando, and when I’m invited to parties, gatherings, and such. I make them for said events.

Which chocolates would you prepare for The Riddler if you could? I am interested to know!

A bon bon. Something sophisticated and elegant, but contains secrets within. So, a dark chocolate green painted bon bon adorned with a singular question mark. With a dual filling of blackberry gelée and a vanilla bean ganache. With raspberry jelly woven throughout the ganache. A twist on a classic riddle, “What’s Black and White and red all over.”

Last question: What upcoming projects you are working on? I am quite certain you've got some good treats cooking!

I’m working on making more Anime chocolate molds. Currently I am making Light, Ryuk, and L from Death Note.

Ooh, I cannot wait!

Yep. It’s going to be awesome!