A decade ago, home-made chocolates had to be store-bought or sourced from Ooty or Kodaikanal. With chocolatiers in the city offering the best of quality and flavours, that’s no longer the case. These chocolates are meant as much for the eyes as for the palate.
Through her four-year-old venture Choc Of The Town, Subatra Priyadarshini offers customisable chocolates.
Among what she has offered her customers is the chocolate replica of the Thanjavur Big Temple gopuram, which she made for a wedding. It took her four days to finish the chocolate, which weighed 5 kg. The planning however took a month. Other than this, she has made a garland, rangoli and terracotta jewellery out of chocolate.
Theme-based chocolates and chocolates marked by portraits and text messages are her speciality. She took to chocolate making after attending a chocolate-making workshop. She quit her IT job and took the plunge.
Her mother recently joined the venture and bakes cakes, cookies, macroons on order. Festival times, she says, are most nerve-wracking as most of the customers give bulk orders. The outlet is located at Ranga Road. For details, call them at 9840457056.
Taste of India ‘Simply Chocolate’ was born out of Harini’s love for chocolates.
Like many others, she initially started making chocolates for friends and family who encouraged her to put a name and tag to what she loved doing.
It was in 2012 that the orders started coming in.
“Flavours are very important and that is where a chocolate-maker has to bring in the personal touch,” she says. Flavoured, filled, crunchy centre, sugar free and truffle are the hot sellers.
Harini’s speciality though lies in the ‘Taste of India’ collection which includes ‘madras masala,’‘royal roja,’‘paal payasam,’ ‘gajjar halwa’ and ‘chaat street’.
The in-demand flavour however is ‘Filter Kaapi.’ She says not all are willing to experiment. Some people play it safe and stick to the tried and tested. Special occasions need apt flavours, and that is where the customisation comes in. Her signature collection has travelled as far as London. Everything is made fresh as she does not have an outlet.
You could also order your favourite loaf of bread which is free from preservative. Like the chocolates, these loaves can be customised.
For details, call 9841428798.
