SPREADING SWEETNESS & JOY - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 15
A pioneer in the art of chocolate making in Jamaica, Mahek Chatani finally gave in to her chocolate admirers and turned her ‘sweet gift’ into an official business in February 2010. It is impossible to turn down a piece of tempting chocolate from The Mobay Chocolate Company. Known for its distinct smoothness, exotic taste and innovative flair, Mahek’s chocolates are manufactured with high quality ingredients and attention to detail.
Mahek discovered her talent for chocolate making while working at a flight kitchen for six months, learning food production and patisserie and came to put her skills to practice while employed to a company called ‘Simply Divine’ in her native Bombay.
After getting married to Anil Chatani in 1997, she left India to join her husband and owner of Montego Bay department store ‘Parade Fashion’ in Jamaica. The entertaining of friends and family in her new home country gave her the perfect opportunity to show off her outstanding culinary skills. “I love to cook and entertain,” states Mahek proudly. But it was her homemade chocolates that caused several of her friends, including Candace Hart of Caribbean Producers, to convince her to form her own chocolate company. “To this day, I still make them taste my creations before I put them on the market,” states Mahek.
Although the process sounds easy, it takes time and patience to create the sweet delights. “First, the couverture has to be heated to the right temperature, making it smooth and creamy,” explains the Chocolatier. Once at the right consistency, the chocolate mixture is poured into one of Mahek’s many molds along with the selected filling before refrigeration. “I have molds in almost any shape you can think of including baby bottles, lipsticks, hearts and champagne bottles,” explains the entrepreneur. “I can create chocolates that are perfect for any occasion.”
With real Blue Mountain Coffee, VX Rum, pineapple and banana flavors, Mahek is keeping her tasty range of truffles and chocolates as local as possible. Innovative mixtures include Chai and Basil Truffels, while Scotch Bonnet is used to spice up the chocolates with a Jamaican touch. Other favorites are Almond Rocks, also available in sugar free versions, Orange Hazelnut French Biscuit and Walnut Brownie. Mahek can turn anybody’s favorite food into a chocolate, “I want everybody to be able to enjoy my creations and get their money’s worth.” For the weight conscious, she creates a mixture of dark and milk chocolate. Smiles Mahek, “And don’t forget, chocolate is actually good for you, it has lots of antioxidants!”
Word of mouth travels fast and The Mobay Chocolate Company has rapidly gained a host of fans including Violet and Lennox Lewis. But Mahek says her most amazing sales and marketing agents turned out to be her sons, 12 year old Aman and 9 year old Karan, who are as ardent about the handmade chocolates as their mother.
Already well known for its special events premium packaging and innovative, purpose made gifts, The Mobay Chocolate Company frequently delivers handmade orders to local companies and special events.
To fulfill your chocolate dream or find the perfect gift, call Mahek at 855-0188, to arrange a visit to The Mobay Chocolate Company in Ironshore. Her tasty creations are also available at the Secrets Hotel Rum Store and the Rainforest Seafood Market in Freeport and soon in many other locations. For more information, visit www.mobaychocolateco.com.
Mahek discovered her talent for chocolate making while working at a flight kitchen for six months, learning food production and patisserie and came to put her skills to practice while employed to a company called ‘Simply Divine’ in her native Bombay.
After getting married to Anil Chatani in 1997, she left India to join her husband and owner of Montego Bay department store ‘Parade Fashion’ in Jamaica. The entertaining of friends and family in her new home country gave her the perfect opportunity to show off her outstanding culinary skills. “I love to cook and entertain,” states Mahek proudly. But it was her homemade chocolates that caused several of her friends, including Candace Hart of Caribbean Producers, to convince her to form her own chocolate company. “To this day, I still make them taste my creations before I put them on the market,” states Mahek.
Although the process sounds easy, it takes time and patience to create the sweet delights. “First, the couverture has to be heated to the right temperature, making it smooth and creamy,” explains the Chocolatier. Once at the right consistency, the chocolate mixture is poured into one of Mahek’s many molds along with the selected filling before refrigeration. “I have molds in almost any shape you can think of including baby bottles, lipsticks, hearts and champagne bottles,” explains the entrepreneur. “I can create chocolates that are perfect for any occasion.”
With real Blue Mountain Coffee, VX Rum, pineapple and banana flavors, Mahek is keeping her tasty range of truffles and chocolates as local as possible. Innovative mixtures include Chai and Basil Truffels, while Scotch Bonnet is used to spice up the chocolates with a Jamaican touch. Other favorites are Almond Rocks, also available in sugar free versions, Orange Hazelnut French Biscuit and Walnut Brownie. Mahek can turn anybody’s favorite food into a chocolate, “I want everybody to be able to enjoy my creations and get their money’s worth.” For the weight conscious, she creates a mixture of dark and milk chocolate. Smiles Mahek, “And don’t forget, chocolate is actually good for you, it has lots of antioxidants!”
Word of mouth travels fast and The Mobay Chocolate Company has rapidly gained a host of fans including Violet and Lennox Lewis. But Mahek says her most amazing sales and marketing agents turned out to be her sons, 12 year old Aman and 9 year old Karan, who are as ardent about the handmade chocolates as their mother.
Already well known for its special events premium packaging and innovative, purpose made gifts, The Mobay Chocolate Company frequently delivers handmade orders to local companies and special events.
To fulfill your chocolate dream or find the perfect gift, call Mahek at 855-0188, to arrange a visit to The Mobay Chocolate Company in Ironshore. Her tasty creations are also available at the Secrets Hotel Rum Store and the Rainforest Seafood Market in Freeport and soon in many other locations. For more information, visit www.mobaychocolateco.com.
