Kitchen Confidential: Metiisto aims to grow through crowd-funding

A southeast Queensland chocolate maker says it needs $40,000 to grow and survive, and has taken to crowd-funding to achieve its goal.

Toowoomba-based Metiisto Artisan Chocolate owners Trevor and Magdalena Smith with daughters Stevie, 10, and Jamie, 2

QUEENSLAND’S most awarded chocolate company is calling on you – the public – for help.

After taking out some of the most prestigious titles in the world for chocolate making last year, Toowoomba-based, family-run Metiisto wants to take the business to the next level and has launched a crowd-funding campaign to do so.

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The tiny business, run by Trevor and Magdalena Smith, is looking for $40,000 to help buy new equipment and supplies, which would increase their production capacity and enable them to expand their coverture range for chefs, chocolatiers and home bakers.

“Metiisto is the only source of income for our family and takes up our whole life,” Trevor says.

“For us to survive we need to scale up.

“We also want to push on with making a positive difference in the cocoa industry; this means being able to buy more of the farmers’ cocoa at higher than fair trade prices.”

The business currently gets its cocoa from the Solomon Islands, and the money raised will help go towards buying at least one tonne of cocoa beans, which will then be made into the likes of chocolate-coated fruit and nuts, bars, blocks and drinking chocolate, with the hope to increase their presence in retailers.

“We have put so much blood, sweat, tears and money into Metiisto to try and make a positive change in an industry that is riddled with issues; knowing that people have our back and support us makes us feel very proud,” Trevor says.

Metiisto currently provides chocolate to some of the state’s best restaurants and gourmet food stores like The Standard Market Company, and aims to reach more cafes, eateries, patisseries and stores.

To raise capital is it offering everything from three chocolate bars to a factory party and ultimate chocolate pack. Visit Indiegogo for more details.

MOVING THE BAR

POPULAR Brisbane watering hole Gerard’s Bar is set to get a makeover, ditching its Spanish tapas for Middle Eastern eats.

Bringing the bar into line with its sister restaurant, Gerard’s Bistro across the car park, chef Adam Wolferswill launch a menu that reflects his Jewish heritage with a pared-back array of Middle Eastern grazing dishes given his distinct culinary twist.

Expect the likes of spiced eggplant, meat man’oushe, kibbeh and falafel pitas.

Owner Johnny Moubarak’s mother Salwa will also be rolling out her family’s favourite flatbreads to scoop up mezze such as chickpea miso hummus, house-smoked labne, salted eggs, camel feta from the Scenic Rim or the soft cheese shanklish.

The interior will have a light refresh, and the wine list has been spruced up, with sommelier Dalila Katia Leo adding some cool, funky wines, different to those at the Bistro, as well as a variety of fun cocktails.

It will all kick off from March 19.