DELIGHTS FOR CHOCO BUFFS

Chocolates wrapped in beautiful packing make a great gift for all occasions. But if you are bored with Cadbury's and Amul or Swiss Chocolates, Anjali's chocolates come as a refreshing change. Anjali makes 16 exotic varieties of chocolates at home. Anjali started making chocolates four years back and markets it under the name Anjali's Foods. Today she not only makes chocolates to order but also takes classes as well. She also holds demonstration for Whirlpool Microwave buyers.

Anjali picked up chocolate making from a short hobby course she pursued in Mumbai. When she discovered that she had a talent for making chocolates, she was quick to see a business opportunity in it. The presentation and packaging done by her lends a festive air to her chocolates. She does innovative packing by using huge mirrors instead of thalis and with dry flowers, ribbons and other adornments. If a client has anything specific in mind for the packaging, Anjali is ready to oblige. Anjali makes 16 varieties of chocolates; the assorted flavours are liqueurs, soft centers, nuts and fillings, coconut, marzipan, fudge, coffee centre, etc. Different essences are used for the assorted chocolates like orange, mint, strawberry, etc.

The price range is in two slabs, one for the Indian and the other for Imported. For the Indian chocolate, where the products used are Indian, the price range is Rs 350 a kg. And for the imported, the cost is Rs 450 a kg. The time taken to make 1 kg. of chocolate is anywhere between 1-2 hrs, as each chocolate has to be wrapped separately. According to Anjali, "I have started this and it has picked up very well. It's a unique gift idea and many students come to me to learn how to make these sumptuous chocolates. Making chocolates is not very common in Delhi as it is in Mumbai where people are aware about home made chocolates. When I gave a small ad in the newspaper for teaching to make chocolates the response I got was amazing. Even the Whirlpool people attended one of my classes, they liked my work and asked me to do a demonstration for them as part of the after sales for their microwave ovens."

Anjali takes orders from both individuals and corporates, and also supplies to the famous Modern Bazaar Bakery at Vasant Vihar. Anjali gets clients from all over Delhi. The duration of her class is three hours and she charges Rs 500 per person. Anjali feels that she meets a lot of good people while interacting, she enjoys her work a lot. Anjali prefers giving it to shops rather than supplying to bakers and retail chains. "By the time the product reaches the customer, the price doubles so I prefer supplying it myself," she reasons.

So if you want to indulge yourself in some pure, real gooey chocolates which melt and make you greedy for more, Anjali's chocolates are a must try. As they say it's a gift for someone you love.

-Jyoti Narang