Chocolatier creates tasty introductions for business
Artisan chocolatier Chocolate Manor in Northern Ireland has come up with a tasty business card.
The company, formed and owned by chocolatier Geri Martin and based in Coleraine, county Derry, was approached by a local business for help to make introductions to potential clients deliciously different.
Facing such an interesting and novel challenge, Geri, a specialist in bespoke handcrafted chocolates using quality Belgian chocolate, created a unique chocolate business card following an approach by a business contact who "wanted something totally different and memorable to introduce himself to potential clients".
"The chocolates are a 25g handpiped disc that features an image we designed for my client and wrapped in a clear pillow pack. We can produce them in milk or white chocolate at around £65 per 100.
"They are proving to be a great way to start a business discussion. As well as an image, the disc includes all the essential business information into phone numbers, e-mail and website, the sort of data common on conventional business cards.
"We were approached because of our successful track record in working with commercial clients on luxury printed chocolates that we handcraft to the specific requirements on individual clients," she continues.
Mrs Martin established the business in her home kitchen in Coleraine in November 2012 to offer a personalised service.
Her unique bespoke chocolates captured the imagination of local business people and commissions followed from companies such as Hastings Hotels, the region's biggest hotel chain, and Belfast International Airport, as well as public bodies such as Tourism NI and Food NI.
She began work in 2013 on developing a range of printed chocolates and was assisted by CAFRE's Food Innovation Centre. The company moved to new premises in April 2014 to expand the business further.
The range now includes a selection of delicious and bespoke chocolate creations for corporate clients, weddings, events and for use as promotional gifts.
In early 2015, she launched their range of printed chocolate bars for the retail sector, with 10 quirky designs, and a bespoke service available for stockists also. The company also works with the catering and hospitality industry to deliver unique chocolate pieces to complement their desserts, for special events, and personalised boxes for special guests.
In summer 2015, she relaunched www.thechocolatemanor.com to include their 'Bespoke Bar Builder', which allows customers to have their own personal message printed onto the finest Belgian chocolate.
In the past year Foodovation at the Business Support Centre, North West Regional College in Derry has assisted Geri in developing a new process to allow the edible inks to be more visible on the milk chocolate products - which has allowed the development of these new chocolate business cards. "Without the support of Karen and David at Foodovation and BSC, it wouldn't have been possible to offer such a great new milk chocolate product."
Pic: David McDaid and Karen Marran, pictured with Geri Martin of the Chocolate Manor, at NWRC's Foodovation Centre. Thanks to the project completed there Chocolate Manor now offers a wider range of printed products on the popular milk chocolate.