Chocolate company goes from strength to strength

Aug 10 2010 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

A TYNESIDE businesswoman is enjoying the taste of sweet success as her chocolate company goes from strength to strength.

Krystyna Dodds launched Curiously Wicked in November last year.

The mother-of-two started to make chocolates in 2008, before deciding to follow a lifelong ambition and make the leap from English teacher to professional chocolatier.

And the move paid off as Curiously Wicked built up a following among chocolate aficionados for its ‘connoisseur selection’ of hand-made confectionery.

Now 49-year-old Krystyna has been made a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, after passing their rigorous selection process.

The company, based in New Hartley, near Whitley Bay, is the only one of its kind outside London to become a member of the guild.

Krystyna, a former teacher at Bothal Middle School, in Ashington, Northumberland, said: “We’d like to thank our customers for giving their excellent references about us to the Guild of Master Craftsmen and, as a result, Curiously Wicked has now been accepted as a fully-fledged member.

“Our work was also assessed by the guild prior to acceptance and deemed to be of the highest standards.

“We’re really excited about our future and the range of products we’re planning to launch in the coming months.

“But above all, we look forward to serving and entertaining our customers to the highest standards and the very best of our abilities.”

Now, with the backing of her fellow craftsmen, Krystyna says she aims to set chocolate trends and stay ahead of competition.

“Our chocolates have wonderful flavour, personality and a unique identity which is dictated by their ingredients,” said Krystyna, mother to Alex, 15, and Stefanja, 18.

“One of our bestsellers is Lemastaire and Ginger Rogers – a lemon, whisky, ginger and lemongrass chocolate with a Hollywood-style gold lame finish and ruby sparkles.

“This is a firm favourite and has been brought back four months running and is due to return again through popular demand.”

As well as selling her chocolates online, Krystyna runs stalls at markets in Tynemouth, Gibside, Allendale, Ponteland, Morpeth and Hexham.

Other favourites among customers include the ‘Five a Day’ range, featuring Late Lychee, Mango Mango, Blueberry Bomb, Balsamic Raspberry and Strawberries and Black Pepper chocolates.

The Guild of Master Craftsmen aims to support and promote excellence. Its membership approval system takes into consideration the standard of customer references, years of practising the craft, qualifications, training and specialist skills.

:: For more information, visit www.curiouslywicked.co.uk