Magnificent Chocolate Festival Has Good things In Store
Good Food Emporium, a family-run wholefood grocer, deli and café in Narre Warren, has been doing good things for the community and the planet since 2019. As Easter approaches, the team are buzzing about their inaugural Magnificent Chocolate Festival, an indulgent celebration of chocolate with activities for the whole family to enjoy.
GOOD PEOPLE, GOOD FOOD
Owner Christine founded Good Food Emporium with her daughter, Tyla, in 2019. Born in Belgium, Christine moved with her parents to South Africa, before settling in Australia. Her culturally diverse background gave her valuable exposure to different foods, which added to a natural interest in nutrition and wellbeing. The real inspiration for opening a wholefoods store, however, started with her parents.
Told by doctors that they would need to drastically overhaul their diet if they were to reach old age, Christine’s parents rose to the challenge. Switching to whole, natural, plant-based foods, they were able to turn their health around.
Seeing firsthand the difference it made, Christine became passionate about sharing the message of healthy, wholesome food with everyone. A qualified naturopath, she designed a shop that could support and educate customers to improve their own health and wellbeing with the best possible food, natural health and beauty products.
DOING GOOD FOR ALL
Good Food Emporium was founded on the idea that by making good food more accessible, everyone can live the good life. Christine identified that many small, local producers – from produce growers to product makers – struggled to find an outlet to sell their goods. Where possible, the Emporium sources its products from Australian businesses – the closer to home, the better. Not only does this support the local economy, it helps to reduce food mileage and the carbon footprint that comes with.
In store, a towering painted tree mural holds business cards promoting an array of local businesses, part of Good Food Emporium’s commitment
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to fostering community spirit. Reaching beyond the local community, the store also supports a different charitable organisation every quarter, with a focus on flora, fauna and community. Currently the Emporium is supporting W.I.S.H, an Australian Wildlife Incident Safe Haven located in the South East of Melbourne.
THE FESTIVAL
The Magnificent Chocolate Festival was first scheduled for the Easter of 2020, but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hopes of trying again in 2021 were dashed as further lockdowns and restrictions swept across Victoria. Christine and Tyla are looking forward to finally seeing their vision become reality in 2022.
Running from Saturday 9th – Thursday 14th of April, 2022, the festival will include a variety of interactive activities to entertain young and old alike. The café will host a special Easter menu with delicious
For the handy home cook – or those who are just curious – there will be talks from local chocolate producers and workshops where you can learn from some of the best local chocolatiers. Cocoa isn’t just good eating, of course; health and beauty professionals from the Inner Health (naturopathy) and Outer Beauty will explore the natural healing properties of cacao.
Need to unwind and kick it back a few notches? Immerse yourself in a chocolate meditation session or let your hair down and enjoy some live music. There will also be Easter-themed activities for the kids, including a street art competition for the creatively minded.
“After the challenges of the last couple of years, we can’t wait to celebrate together with our local community,” says Christine Dos Anjos, founder of Good Food Emporium. “What better way to come together than to put a spotlight on the treat of the ages, chocolate.”
Find Good Food Emporium at Casey Lifestyle Centre, 15/430-440 Princes Hwy, Narre Warren.
For more information including opening hours, go to goodfoodemporium.com.au