LOCAL entrepreneur and chocolatier, François Muhammed has set out on a journey to challenge Guyanese to try something unique and different this Christmas season—his handcrafted, all-natural chocolate creations.

François, is a French-born Guyanese chocolatier who opened the country’s first artisanal chocolate shop on the second floor of the City Mall on Camp Street, Georgetown. Named “Maison François”, you can easily find some of the most interesting chocolate creations.

In fact, François said: “We have like sixty different types of chocolates in the store right now.” Whether it’s his fruit flavoured creations or chocolates made with 18 carat edible gold, you might think his ritzy creations could not possibly be created by the simple man.

But what is even more fascinating is that François has decided to make handcrafted, Christmas-themed chocolates for the season. Taking blocks of his chocolates made from scratch, he has carved out models of Santa Claus, Christmas trees and the Christmas gingerbread houses.

Very versed in his field, François highlighted that it does not take very long for him to create these chocolates. In fact, he said: “It would only take about thirty minutes to carve the Santa. But the trees are very easy, and the houses are even easier.”

These creations can be further customised to suit customers’ likings—like carving their names or simple messages. But the entrepreneur noted that with his business, being the first of its kind in Guyana, persons are yet to fully appreciate the full scope of his business.

“Instead of making custom orders in advance and uplifting it, people would perhaps prefer to come in on Christmas Eve and just pick up whatever is here,” the chocolatier said.

Though there are always the normal boxes of chocolates, why not embrace the extra special goodies?

“This is my first Christmas in Guyana as a business owner and this is something new and real.. All all-natural stuff,” he remarked.

And the chocolatier explained that his chocolates are made from real cocoa and that his creations have about 70 per cent ‘dark chocolate,’ which means that while they will be yummy for your tummy, they are also much healthier.

In Guyana, he knows that persons are accustomed to getting the renowned chocolates- the Hershey’s, M&M’s, Lindt and the Ferrero Rocher goodies. But for him, his creations add a touch of magic to any Christmas festivity.

“I think this Christmas people are going to see natural stuff,” he said. “These are all things that they have not seen before… and not the packaged stuff they are accustomed to, but locally-made, natural chocolates.”