Likkle More Chocolate, please
Published:Thursday | February 10, 2022 | 12:07 AM
The love of and curiosity about all things chocolate propelled Nadine Burie, a fine pastry chef, to seek out the best cacao beans as she explored more ingredients to give her creations a sweet yet uniquely organic touch. Originally from the Ivory Coast, she moved to Jamaica in 2010 in support of her husband, who received a job opportunity that was not to be missed; but it was she who fell completely in love with the island.
“As I travelled the island, the people were so very warm, and they would often say ‘likkle more’, which meant they would be seeing me soon, even if that wasn’t so. It became my favourite expression, because no matter who you are, or where you are from, those two words always sounded so friendly,” Burie told Food.
“When I chose Likkle More as the brand, it was then meant to say ‘a little more’ – for me, as a wish that my customers would always want to, and have, a little bit extra of the chocolate, and it will make them return – and that we would see them again soon, or likkle more,” she continued.
IMPROVING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Having discovered a love for baking, Burie completed several French pastry courses in Canada to improve her knowledge and perfect her skills. She has since then added the title of artisan chocolatier to her name and recently returned from Paris and Geneva, where she was invited to showcase her chocolates.
“I understand a lot of things because of my pastry knowledge; it helps me a lot also when I develop the flavours. Paris was a great experience, people were not aware [of] Jamaican cocoa, and the reaction of the French consumers was absolutely amazing. And then in Geneva, the showcase was done for the ambassadors of the International Trade Centre there. I explained my approach to having a sustainable brand, shared our story, and [allowed them to] sample the chocolate, too!” she exclaimed.
A lover of chocolate herself, Burie admits to not having a specific type, texture or flavour that she chooses. She eats all types when “it’s well-made. It could be dark, milk, white, blonde (toasted white chocolate or caramelised chocolate) and [enjoys] the taste of unusual flavours”. You can, however, win her heart with plain dark chocolate, with or without hazelnuts.
Likkle More Chocolate’s signature graffiti bars were inspired by authentic Jamaican “good vibes,” she said. The splash of colours, which are also natural and organic, is fun and depicts happiness. “There is a cheerfulness that we want to give each time someone opens a bar. It’s a product that you can consume for yourself as much as you can gift it,” Burie offered.
Are you a person who looks forward to chocolate on Valentine’s Day? Well, Jamaica has a wide variety of chocolates for this and any occasion, and artisan chocolate is a conscious step back from the industrial chocolate recipe of cacao, butter, sugar, lecithin, and vanilla. Likkle More Chocolate features creatively made chocolates, including candied citrus slices called orangettes, chocolate honeycombs, matcha and berry, and blooms chocolate bars, and have consistently been an innovator of sorts with each season’s creations. With Valentine’s Day, Burie is busy in the atelier putting together a bonbon box with lemon basil, caramel and caramelised peanuts, and passion fruit praline fitted into a heart-shaped chocolate.
“The best way to share these chocolates is with special someone. We have been controlling every step of our chocolate making from bean to bar, and with each ingredient. We do our own ginger powder, orange candied and Scotch bonnet powder. We’ve spent the first three years of trying cacao from different farms to now having a limited selection of farmers, just so we have the best product,” she said.
“The chocolate market in Jamaica is changing a lot and going more for a darker chocolate than what people were normally exposed to. I see more people [are also getting] health-conscious, searching for a better quality chocolate. It’s really exciting and completely in line with our philosophy. Our products will satisfy all chocolate lovers and will have them saying, ‘Likkle more chocolate, please,’” Burie continued.
Likkle More Chocolate is sold at The Butcher Block, Fontana, The Alchemist Pharmacy, Café Blue Contact Spring Road and Sovereign, CPJ Market and Jamaica Food + Drink Kitchen.