Steve Hatch and Katie Masterson spend their days working with chocolate, one of the most romantic foods around.
But it's not all starry eyes or hearts and flowers for this married couple. As the owners of Hatch Family Chocolates, this time of year they're so busy making and selling their hand-dipped chocolates that "by Valentine's night, our gift to each other is just going home and taking a breather, we're completely exhausted," said Steve.
"We're not sappy people," said Katie. "Yes, it's chocolate, but the bottom line is it's a job. People might think it's really glamorous, but the glamour for us is when people enjoy our chocolate."
It doesn't sound as if starring in a reality TV series is going to their heads.
"Little Chocolatiers" premiered as a special on TLC in December, and another episode recently aired as a "sneak peek," according to TLC publicist Dustin Smith. More episodes are scheduled to air in March.
Hatch and Masterson are little people, and the series shows them in their candy shop on 390 E. 4th Ave., tackling special orders, such 600 chocolate dice for a casino-night party, or a life-size chocolate pool table, or making a gigantic candy bar with a group of 7-year-olds.
"I think Steve and Katie are a unique couple, they have the biggest hearts, they're the nicest people I've ever met," said executive producer Jay Blumenfield in a telephone interview. "They bring an air of authenticity that a lot of shows don't have."
Viewers see the couple working together — and working out their differences.
"We're not mushy people, but we complement each other in a work environment," said Steve. "Our families laugh at us because we will bicker back and forth, but the next minute it's, 'Oh, where are we going to go eat tonight?' and we just get on with life."
The two met at a convention for little people in 1998.
"But we were just acquaintances, it took a few years until we started seeing each other," said Katie.
In 2000, Steve moved to Chicago for a year.
"When he moved back to Utah, I followed him," Katie said.
"She took mercy on me," Steve added.
Katie, a certified pastry chef, found temporary work at Thanksgiving Point. Meanwhile, Steve's father, Jerry, had retired and was making chocolates to sell in boutiques and markets. He had learned the art of chocolate dipping from his mother, who worked in candy factories during the Great Depression.
Jerry Hatch asked Masterson if she wanted to learn the chocolate business, and things evolved from there.
"I miss the big city, but Salt Lake has its perks," she said. "I love the Avenues."
The shop, once a laundromat, has become a gathering spot for locals. One afternoon last week found a young couple gazing into each others' eyes over hot chocolate; two children who were hiding behind a table to tease their mom; and several men in business suits at the counter ordering chocolates.
The heart of their business is still those luscious hand-dipped chocolates. Around Valentine's Day, the cherry cordials are especially popular. These are made in advance and left to "cure" awhile so that the creamy fondant liquefies around the cherry.
Katie does the chocolate work, with help of staffers, and Steve runs the business end. Jerry still works with them on a limited basis. Special projects, such as the ones seen on "Little Chocolatiers" take up about 25 percent of their time. Requests are increasing as people watch the TV show.
"It's easier for me to say yes, because I don't have to make it," said Steve. "So sometimes it's a bit of a battle between Kate and me."
When they were first approached about doing a show last summer, the couple "hemmed and hawed" with concern about taking time away from their labor-intensive candymaking.
"But we're filming scenarios, we're not being followed around 24/7, so it's less impacting on our business," said Steve.
And perhaps it's less impacting on their relationship, as well. Reality series where cameras are constantly rolling can be tough on couples. "Newlyweds" Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey ended up divorcing, and "Jon & Kate Plus 8" ended with the demise of the Gosselin marriage.
But Steve said he's not worried about that.
"I honestly believe that a lot of that is the individual couples themselves. Maybe they would have broken up anyway, regardless of what a show does."
Yes, there are days when the couple disagrees, "but a relationship is not people agreeing 100 percent of the time. It's when you're working together and compromise to make each other happy. Many relationships end because someone is not willing to meet each other halfway."
Being under 4 feet tall means there are stools stationed around the shop, "because we have a limited reach," Steve said. "But, everybody has limitations."
Steve and Katie are the only little people in their families, and, "our parents taught us to work hard and to do things for ourselves," said Katie.
They said they hope the show helps viewers appreciate the differences in people, and gives confidence to other little people who might be watching.
And they like the show's focus on their chocolate projects and their personalities, instead of the fact that they're little people.
"They're trying to show us for what we are. We're like everyone else who runs a small business," Steve said. "Our biggest role is serving as an example to kids. The first time kids come in to the shop, they are tripped out that we are two little people. But after awhile, they could care less about it. To them, we are just us."
He adds, "If I wasn't a little person, I wouldn't have met Katie. And I think for whatever reason, we are supposed to be together."
e-mail: vphillips@desnews.com