Cocolat Dessert Cafes: Keith tries his hand at chocolate making in the Adelaide City region of South Australia
Balhannah is one of those pretty little Adelaide hills towns with apple stores, nearby wineries and a country pub. But in the main street is a shop called Cocolat and in the factory out the back lies a story of wicked almost sinful indulgence. Today we lift the lid on the ingredients - a girl from South Carolina, a South Aussie bloke and chocolate.
The sign on the wall says it all - Cocolat - individual, exclusive, creative and very yummy. Willy Wonker would love this place. For the 'sweet-toothed faint-hearted' this place is not! In one corner of the factory the bakers are pouring almost obscenely rich chocolate sponge cakes… in another, two expert hand rollers are creating delectable decadent truffles - white mocha - coffee flavoured truffles covered in white chocolate.
Hand-made is the key word around here - Michelle has been able to turn her steady-handed hobby into a satisfying living. In the Balhannah production kitchen, the 'choccie chicks', as they call themselves, love their work and it shows.
Keeping a watchful eye on it all is Terena Blanton-Downs. This South Carolina girl fell in love with a South Australian bloke and the rest, as they say, is history. A successful business woman in the USA she loved the look of Cocolat so she bought the business in 2004 and has turned it into a complete dessert experience.
Terena Blanton-Downs: "When we say hand made we really mean it. These are our lemon myrtle truffles, which is made with South Australian lemon myrtle. It will be the first of a potential export line with truly Australian product - it's fantastic."
There's more to this place than just chocolate - Karen's the queen of the gelato machine. Today she's making a raspberry sorbet.
Terena Blanton-Downs: "Most people think that sorbet is that really icy crystal thing and they can't believe when they try this that this is actually a sorbet because this is so creamy."
The motto here is that it must look as god as it tastes. Terena says the secret is to get a recipe perfect… and then double the good bits! And with the Balhannah factory producing goodies for her special dessert cafes Rundle Street in the city and at the airport, it seems to be working.
We called into the Dessert café in Rundle Street and another sign on the wall caught our eye: "There's nothing better than a good friend except a good friend with chocolate!"
You'll find Cocolat Dessert Cafes in Rundle Street in the city and at the Airport. There's also a shopfront at the Balhannah factory. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Cocolat Dessert Cafes
281 Rundle St
AdelaideLevel 2
Adelaide AirportRetail Outlet
83 Main Rd
BalhannahPublished 22nd March 2009
