Orrey Metz remembers the first bite of an Ecuadorian chocolate he tried. The rich and dark flavours were so different from the milk chocolate Metz grew up with in North America, yet so fascinating that he soon started crafting his own recipes.
“It’s a different chocolate experience. Raw, natural and dairy-free.” shares Metz.
While Metz has continued to produce primary flavoured raw chocolate like Caramel and Cashew since 2016, you can also find feature flavours with interesting twists at Natural Kitchen Delights: Which one to try first, a Pineapple Ginger or a Cherry Chili flavoured dark chocolate?
A few years into its successful business experience at local markets, Metz soon realized that it was time to team up with other flavourful minds. Along with Honest Dumplings and South Island Pie Co, Natural Kitchen Delights is now one of the three founding brands of the Edmonton-based Uproot Food Collective.
He has a brick-and-mortar operation located close to downtown (10552 114 St. NW), but Metz still attends Farmers’ Markets several times a year. For him, standing in front of his longtime vendor is like a reward after spending countless hours churning chocolate in the kitchen. Just like the old times.
“We all dream of selling our products everywhere,” admits Metz. “But it was so hard, especially when your business first started. Teaming up with reliable allies does help. And I have good faith in our growing collective.”
Shop raw unadulterated dark chocolate at Natural Kitchen Delights. Also available at the Uproot Food Collective.
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