Fardoulis Chocolates

www.choc.com.au

It is not unusual when asked what we do? I often wonder how to answer that question. So the story begins. I answer with “I have a chocolate factory”.

Without hesitation I wait for the next question after the usual reaction ‘Wow’. How did you start a chocolate factory? Well I didn’t…

Willy Wonka did..! My endearing name for the idea, creation, passion and perseverance of Constantinos Fardoulis.

Fardoulis is a family name which originated from Kythera, Greece. Known as the island of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, it is of no surprise to me that chocolate is also considered as the’ Food of the Gods’.

Constantinos had the dream of creating chocolates. In 1985 I knew very little about chocolate or confectionary making. Tempering, viscosity, enrobing, blooming & couverture - the language of Belgium, Swiss and French chocolate artisans.

Photo by Andrianna Athas-Fardoulis

It was our dream as two young people to share and combine our skills in the partnership. Our visions and aspirations were very similar, working in fine dining restaurants across Sydney as teenagers before crossing paths a few years later.

Our very first product brought us success and evolved where we are today.

During the early 90’s, Fardoulis Chocolates grew and my love for beautiful fabrics, cotton threads, drafting patterns and dressmaking inspired me to become more involved in developing the business. Applying my studies of fashion design and marketing – www.weddingchocolates.com.au was our first ecommerce site where brides and grooms ordered custom made boxes of chocolates.

While Constantinos experimented with flavours and fillings, I was choosing beautiful coloured foils and designing small gift boxes as bonbonniere.

It was early days for online sales and Fardoulis Chocolates had become well known with heart foiled chocolates, filled with creamy ganache and truffle centres before we began the third phase of our chocolate sanctuary.

This was the start of where we are today. My chocolate cravings and enjoyment for colour ranging in gift boxes grew stronger, whilst Willy Wonka was always prevising innovative chocolate creations.

I still had not a lot of knowledge about chocolate and how Willy Wonka managed that brilliant shine on the chocolates.

The art of our chocolate philosophy partnership has not changed. If you were to ask what do I know about chocolate today, I would reply “everything”.

Over the years Willy Wonka’s dream became mine. The team has now become a trilogy. The very artistic Ayca in the design, branding and web master, Chocolate Diaries is our continued dedication. We welcome you to the never ending story…

Of chocolate..! I get it now Willy Wonka…temperature is ambience…! Couverture is pure..!

A sanctuary = when you love what you do , heaven on earth..!