CHOCOLATIER market trader Krystyna Dodds has received a top award from an elite confectionery academy.
The former Bothal Middle School teacher, from New Hartley, near Seaton Delaval, runs her chocolate empire from her home, but that hasn’t stopped her winning a top award from the Academy of Chocolate.
The award comes hot on the heels of her acceptance into the Guild of Master Craftsmen making her business the only company of its kind outside London to become a member.
Krystyna, who sells her hand-made Curiously Wicked chocolates at Morpeth market, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I read our name in the winners' list.
“It is a worldwide event so we were competing with some of the most established names from across the globe, and it is judged by real connoisseurs.
“It really is the highest echelons of chocolate-making. It is a great honour, and incredible as we only launched the company last November.”
Krystyna’s The Original Cinn chocolate – a truffle filled with cinnamon, fresh apple and Jim Beam – won Bronze in the Best-filled Fruit Chocolate category of the London-based awards.
Her creation was judged by a panel which includes Michelin-starred chefs, industry insiders and top chocolate connoisseurs.
The patron of the academy is TV chef Michel Roux, star of Masterchef and Hell’s Kitchen, who has two Michelin stars to his name.
Krystyna, 49, left her teaching job in Ashington and started making chocolates in 2008. She took the plunge and launched her own chocolate company last November, fulfilling a life-long ambition.
And the move paid off as Curiously Wicked built up a following among chocolate aficionados for its selection of luxury handmade confectionery.
The company has secured orders with department stores such as Fenwick, in Newcastle.
Krystyna, who lives with children Alex, 15, and Stefanja, 18, says she aims to set chocolate trends and stay ahead of competition.
She has developed a pure water truffle filled with chocolate and water, so it is sugar- free, lactose-free and low in fat.
Krystyna also runs market stalls in Tynemouth, Gibside, Allendale, Ponteland and Hexham, and hosts a website at curiouslywicked.co.uk