How sweet it is.

The Salvation Army was pleased to welcome Head Chocolatier from Purdy’s Chocolates, Gary Mitchell, to Belkin House to host a morning of chocolate education and tasting for residents and clients.

The Salvation Army is extremely appreciative for this opportunity as residents learnt about chocolate making and were even able to create their own chocolate bark to enjoy!  Not to mention, this was a fantastic opportunity to learn from someone with as much experience and skill as Gary brings to the table.

Gary shared, “it was our pleasure to do the presentation today, it is always fun to play with Chocolate and the group today was great I really had fun sharing my passion with them and hope we can do it again in the future.  There is nothing better than Chocolate and good company and today was a joy.”

At Purdy’s, Gary leads the Product Development Team as they create new chocolates. He is credited with creating and designing Purdy’s “Smoothies” line of chocolates. His award winning creation, “Caramel Carnival” was honored as the Best New Piece at Retail Confectioners’ International Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in 2004. The newest collection Gary created is the very popular “Mayans” selection. The inspiration for these pieces came while driving through Mexico and visiting many of the Mayan ruins.

Many of Gary’s Chocolate bar creations have found their place in the “Craving Stations” in Purdy’s chocolate shops across Canada. Bars like the 70% Chocolate Goji Berry Bar, Cocoa Nib Bar, Coconut Fudgie Bar and the 70% Blueberry Almond Bar are all customer favourites.

Indeed, a sweet day for one and all involved.