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The Chocolate Factory by Beyers
Kees Beyers is a real-life Willy Wonka. As the story goes, he knew he would one day own a chocolate factory when he was just seven years old. As a child, he was already selling sweet delights to friends and family. From the age of 13, he would wake up before the crack of dawn over weekends to work at a confectioner in a neighbouring town in Belgium where he was born. He qualified as a pastry chef when he was 17 and travelled to South Africa when he was 18 to visit his sister. He fell in love with what he found here, was offered a job, and the rest is history.
Beyers founded Kees Beyers Chocolates in 1987 to bring luxury, affordable chocolates to South Africans. His legacy can be found on local shelves across the country and the Beyers Chocolates Factory Shop has been a favourite for buying delicious chocolates at good prices. With the opening of The Chocolate Factory by Beyers in Bedfordview, fans of the brand are in for a treat.
To one side of the large store, shelves are laden with treats in the Chocolate Box. Sweetie Pies, Amarula chocolates, truffles, slabs – all there for the picking. At the back of the shop is the Chocolate Studio where you can appreciate the act of chocolate making as you flit between the store and the Chocolate Café which occupies the other half of the space. Here, you’ll find everything your sweet tooth desires, from chocolate fondues to warm glasses of milk brought out with lumps of chocolate to create a mug of hot chocolate to your liking, and all manner of pastries.
A visit alone is a feast for the senses; a taste of what’s on offer is pure delight. As far as chocolate experiences go, this one is not to be missed. While you're there, check out our Bedfordview itinerary to get the most out of your chocolate-fuelled visit.
Jack Rabbit Chocolate Studio
Technically, Jack Rabbit Chocolate Studio calls Pretoria home but their creations are so good we dare not leave them off our list.
An all-woman team of chocolatiers, they describe themselves as a “humble but fancy AF artisanal dessert studio” and have made it their mission to restore the wonder of chocolate.
Founded by Stephanie Ceranio, Jack Rabbit was born in the capital city and has a footprint as far afield as The Netherlands and Japan. The studio has received numerous awards, including being named the winner of the 2017 International Chocolate Awards for a milktart-inspired bonbon (they were the first South African company to be allowed to participate in the awards). It’s not hard to understand why: these chocolates are not only impressive works of art, they truly taste the part.
Eating these creations is experience enough but to really appreciate the artistry, we suggest heading through to the studio in Waterkloof to pick out the flavours and shapes that speak to you. To take it a step further, keep an eye on the Jack Rabbit website for news on their chocolate classes and events.
If the trek to Pretoria seems too far, we’ve recently spotted Jack Rabbit creations at The Pantry in Rosebank and Tashas Le Parc in Hyde Park Corner (you can’t miss the giant Easter bunny display). Want to make a day of it? Check out our day trip with Gautrain to Pretoria.
Chocolate Experiences BM
Bronwyn Mushonga cut her teeth on chocolate making – quite literally – at the wildly popular, and sadly now closed, Chocoloza at 44 Stanley. Here, she would host chocolate-tasting experiences as well as make the delicious and beautiful spheres and blocks the team became known for.
With a wealth of knowledge under her belt, Mushonga has partnered with The Chocolatiers in Linden to offer chocolate experiences, which she has designed to teach you about the world of chocolate.
Go on a sensory journey with one of her chocolate talks (R180 p.p.) where she divulges everything you never knew you wanted to know about where chocolate comes from and how it is made. In 45 minutes, she’ll cover cocoa beans and cocoa butter, as well as milk, white, and dark chocolate. Of course, you’ll get to taste the good stuff, too.
Harking back to Chocoloza days, in a blind chocolate tasting (R220 p.p.) you’ll be presented with four pieces of chocolate, a pen and paper to write down what you taste, and the thrill of trying to outwit your fellow competitors. The person who scores the highest at the end of the tasting will win a box of 20 chocolates.
As the pinnacle of indulgence, you can opt for a wine and chocolate pairing (R120 p.p. with your own wine; R195 if she brings the wine).
For more information or to book an event, contact Mushonga on +27 61 501 4265 or email chocolateexperiencessa@outlook.com
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