Ilze van der Merwe is trained both as a gourmet chef and as a chocolatier producing mouth watering chocolate. She gained experience in the trade when she worked as a patisserie chef in some of the most famous restaurants and department stores in London.
Ilze has always had a passion for food – especially pastry, but initially followed a “safe road” career by becoming a teacher-cum-psychologist. However, she finally fulfiled her passion when she opened her first small coffee shop in Cape Town. Later, she worked as a freelance caterer for corporate and private clients in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and then opened a Cookery School in Pretoria.
After moving to London with her family, Ilze trained full-time at Le Cordon Bleu in Marylebone and obtained the Grand Diplôme de Cuisine et de Pàtisserie, the ultimate qualification in French cuisine and patisserie.
It was during these years of training that chocolate really became a favourite and a fascination. After extensive training in this area through Ecole de Chocolat, Barry Callebaut (Belgium) and Valhrona (France), she decided to test the market with her own product.
She has a passion for people and a love for flavour. These two things together, enable her to make top quality chocolates.