For Tasmanian chocolatiers, small is sweet

TASMANIA’S chocolatiers are ready to welcome tourists, but don’t need Cadbury’s $16 million.

Gillian Ryan (pictured) and her assistant, Nikki Hemmings is pictured at their chocolate shop, Cygneture Chocolates at Cygnet.

TASMANIA’S artisan chocolatiers are ready to welcome the tourists, but say they don’t need Cadbury’s $16 million.

The multinational knocked back a Federal Government grant for a visitor centre this month, dashing hopes of a $66 million project creating 200 jobs.

But a burgeoning, high-quality chocolate-making industry says it can offer something different, and uniquely Tasmanian.

“What people want is a hands-on experience, and that’s what we offer,” said Nutpatch’s John Zito. “They want to see the authentic handmade chocolate.

“What Tasmanians have got to follow is artisan, handmade, high-quality, no compromises.”

Nutpatch, based at Kettering for more than 20 years, is one of a string of successful chocolate-making businesses to have sprung up around the state. Belgian Igor Van Gerwen started Anvers at Latrobe 25 years ago and now employs 44 staff. Cocobean began in Launceston in 2008, and Cygneture at Cygnet in 2009.

The big-money offer to Cadbury rankled smaller chocolate-makers, though most are reluctant to say so on the record.

“I just thought, ‘why aren’t you interested in little Tasmanian businesses rather than a multinational?’” Cygneture’s Gillian Ryan said.

“I can appreciate it employs a lot of people, but if you turn around and invest that money into small businesses around the state, each will employ two or three local people.”

The smaller operators say they could only use a small portion of the $16 million without losing their authenticity.

Anvers marketing manager Todd Ashdown said the company didn’t seek handouts, but modest upgrades would benefit the North-West.

“That would allow us to upgrade our visitor centre, which creates tourism, that creates employment,” he said.

Other businesses say government grants have eluded them.

Mr Zito was told none were available when he proposed a
$1 million visitor centre that would have allowed him to employ six people.

Ms Ryan said Tasmanian small businesses deserved more support.

“We never quite fit into a grant application,” she said. “We are a small business and it’s fine — I’m happy to keep it small because I think the quality stays where it’s originally made.

“There needs to be a better culture in starting small businesses in small towns and small communities.”

Ms Ryan said the state’s small chocolatiers could offer a premium product using Tasmanian dairy and local flavours like berries and honey.

“It should be different and I think Tasmanians want it to be,” she said.

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