COMMUNITY
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| Eric, Linda and Emma Gilbert at the Island Chocolates counter in Victoria |
Chocolate lovers on PEI go to Island Chocolates in Victoria-by-the-sea. Made with fine chocolate from Belgium, France and Ecuador, each chocolate is hand-made with the fresh ingredients, including Island fruits in season—strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cranberries.
While there you can watch the chocolates being made, and enjoy chocolates, specialty coffees and dessert served on the deck of their heritage building.
Island Chocolates is a family-run business started 20 years ago by Ronald and Linda Gilbert. They apprenticed in British Columbia with the chocolatier, Charlie Sigvardsen. Now their children, Emma, Eric and Miles participate in the business and continue to expand their chocolate-making skills and develop new products. This year they have introduced single-source chocolate featuring chocolate from Ecuador where Eric worked with the Kaliari cooperative harvesting the cacao.
This month they are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a chocolate festival on September 20. The day will start with a pancake breakfast ( with chocolate sauce of course) served by the Victoria Fire Department. There will be demonstrations, samples and events throughout the day including a best brownie contest, chocolate therapist, and chocolate face painting, and chocolate-hand massage.
After 20 years, do the Gilberts still eat chocolate? Absolutely! According to Linda, there are 2 Rules of Chocolate: Always choose quality over quantity; Take the time to savour, enjoy and appreciate your chocolate.