What does a Cadillac taste like? can tell you. Rix creates confections to embody “the perfect blend of experimentation and extravagance” in the brand’s new luxury electric vehicles. While Cadillac designers and engineers create new vehicles in Detroit, Rix mixes ingredients for custom sweets in his test kitchen.
Rix’s unique chocolates — developed and produced in downtown Memphis, Tennessee — have been honored among Oprah’s "Favorite Things" and British Vogue’s "Top Picks." Rix, owner of was also a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. “We first worked with Phillip on the Lyriq,” the first of Cadillac’s new EVs, said Juanita Slappy, head of multicultural marketing.
“He brought an engineering mindset to creating the flavors.“ Cadillac distributes Rix's chocolates at some events associated with the vehicles. An example: A handmade chocolate called the Conductor is described as “magnesium-rich bananas prepared flambé style in dark couverture.
” Why? Because magnesium conducts energy, and couverture — chocolate that’s high in cocoa butter — produces an elegant texture and creamy flavor. Rix, who has a degree in chemistry, consults with Cadillac engineers and designers on each new flavor. “Our goal is for each chocolate to tell a different story,” he said.
“I ask how the designers bring the art of Cadillac to life, and then how do we distill that to a flavor.” For the hand-built, ultra-luxury Celestiq.