Portobello West had a chance to have a chat with upcoming Holiday Market vendor Cocoa West Chocolatier. If you have ever visited Cocoa West or even browsed their website you know that mouth-watering and exquisite are two words to accurately describe the brand. Owner Joanne Mogridge gives us the low down on the company and how her love and passion for sweets became a gift she could share with the world.
Located on Bowen Island in BC, Cocoa West specializes in quality by using the most fresh organic ingredients they can find. Ingredients include: couverture-grade Belgian chocolate, fresh cream, real fruit purées and vibrant spices. Chocolate is made in small batches with expert artisian skills to ensure quality that looks beautiful and tastes good too.
The company was founded in 2002 by Mâitre Chocolatier Joanne Mogridge who had a mission to create chocolate that would stand out among the rest and surprise her customers with every bite. The company is famous for its selection of Hot Chocolate’s “Cocoa West’s makes our drinking chocolate from whole chocolate, not powder, blended with vibrant aromatic spices — This is what hot chocolate was meant to be! Ranging from dark to milk chocolate, spicy or exotic, Cocoa West’s line of five Hot Chocolate Shavings are available online and at selected retailers in the Vancouver area.” says Joanne.
The passion and love for what she does is clear in Joannes words, when she describes how customers react to her product “I am a creative person. Being able to create new recipes for special occasions is challenging and fun. I love what I do, and the pay off is when people taste my chocolate. They close their eyes, and their face lights up and for a moment the world stops. Now that’s exciting.” I know we all zoned out for a minute their, putting ourselves in the shoes of a customer with a handful of Cocoa West Chocolate. “ Chocolate has always been a passion.” Continues Joanne “When I was young it was always about the solid dark Easter Bunny, I have never been a candy person. Getting into the world of chocolate was a lifestyle choice. It’s a second career for me, I wanted to share something that I love with others. Most people enjoy chocolate, but they LOVE really good chocolate. Many people have never tried really good artisan fresh made chocolates, but when they do WOW! Everyday I make someone happy.”
Customer relationships are not only important to Cocoa West as a company they are important to Joanne as well. She expresses the relationship she has with every customer “My customers enjoy seeing me at work, they know that I love what I do, and they know that I love to create chocolates for them to enjoy. We share a bond, and I have their loyalty.”
With Christmas just around the corner, we’re trying to get a head start on shopping and gift buying. Cocoa West Chocolatier will be attending next months Holiday Market organized by Portobello West on December 7th and 8th. Joanne expresses her excitement on being part of the market “Being part of a Vendors Market, is a great experience. On the front lines with your customers. Instant feedback on what your doing or something that is new. A busy market is a fun place to be to promote my brand and plug in face to face with both new and repeat customers.”
With the help of Cocoa West Chocolatier, you can give everyone you love a moment of sheer joy. Whether it be a dinner party gift or stocking stuffers, a taste of Cocoa West will surely spread the love.
VISIT the Cocoa West Chocolatier Website: http://www.cocoawest.com/
LIKE Cocoa West on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CocoaWestChocolatier
TWEET Cocoa West on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CocoaWestBC