Chocolatier's sweet dream becomes reality
What started as a hobby making handmade desserts and sweet treats for loved ones has seen Lauren McCoy turn into Moreton Bay’s very own version of Willy Wonka.
Just like the fictional character from Roald Dahl’s classic story, Lauren spends her days surrounded by the rich aroma of chocolate which she sells through her business, Oscar & Co Chocolates.
“I started Oscar & Co Chocolates three years ago, which I named after my little terrier Oscar,” Lauren says.
"I always loved making sweet treats for family and friends when it was their birthday, and now I get to do it every day - it's the best job in the world!
“I import the finest couverture chocolate from Belgium, with each piece of chocolate being handcrafted, painted by hand, and packed right here in Moreton Bay.
“I make Belgian chocolate bars, gourmet flavoured marshmallows, bon bons which come in the shape of hearts and skulls, and chocolate figurines like elephants, deer and teddy bears.
“I like to stick with the high-quality classic flavours people know and love, because they will always beat the different chocolate fads that come and go.”
Some of Lauren’s flavours include cookies and cream, gold caramel, dark raspberry, white raspberry, milk toasted coconut, dark orange, and milk orange.
“One of the most popular flavours I sell is my gold caramel bar – it’s a cult classic,” Lauren says.
“Some people will buy 10 blocks at once because they love it to so much – it has a very mild and delicious caramel flavour, meaning it’s not as sweet and sickly as others.
“That would be one of my favourite flavours as well, followed by the toasted coconut rough and the milk orange, because I love a good Jaffa.”
As a self-taught chocolatier, Lauren says there have been many obstacles she has had to overcome, but she loves the challenge.
“One of the hardest things I had to learn in this business was how to temper chocolate, because I do it by hand,” Lauren explains.
“The chocolate I import is not like the compound chocolate other companies use, so I have to ensure I crystallize the cocoa butter correctly.
“If I stir the chocolate too much or too little, or if the temperature is out, even by half a degree, it ruins the crystallization and then it’s not palatable.
“It’s been difficult, but I am glad I have persevered.
“I put so much love into every piece of chocolate I make, which I hope my customers enjoy.”
Lauren sells her chocolates at local markets in South Bank, Brisbane City, Carseldine, Caloundra, as well as her online store.
To shop her range of products, and to pick up some specials in celebration of World Chocolate Day, visit the website.
To see more photos, click through the gallery below.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at MBFW
With the countdown well and truly on to the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, Lauren says she is excited to attend the festival once again as a stallholder.
“This will be my third year appearing at the festival, which is one of my favourite events of the year,” Lauren says.
“I will be selling a wide range of my chocolate bars, bon bons, marshmallows, figurines, as well as my hot chocolate kits.”
You will find Oscar & Co Chocolates in The Marketplace.