VIDEO: Mullingar's very own Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory
New handmade chocolate shop opens on Dominick Street
Mullingar now has its very own version of Willie Wonka's chocolate factory, the Sugar Plum Sweetery, which opened its doors for the first time today.
Sugar Plum Sweetery is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Denise Buckley and David Quirke, proprietors of the popular Dominick Street restaurant Wholesome Kitchen, which is located next door.
With bespoke, handmade chocolates all made on site by master chocolatiers and other delectable options, such as a reimagined pick 'n' mix, popcorn and candyfloss, it's the “yin to Wholesome's Kitchen yang”, Denise says.
“It's naughty and nice. There is always a time and a place for an indulgent treat. That's what we found. People wanted something that is fresh, homemade and local. That's where there is a massive market.”
Its owners describe Sugar Plum Sweetery as a destination shop for their online business and it's a fitting description for an imaginatively designed retail space inspired by such iconic films as Willie Wonka, The Greatest Showman, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.
In addition to a stunning sculpture by local artist Richie Clarke, another statement piece in the store a 150-year-old vintage cash register, which is similar to the one used in Home Alone 2.
However, despite the impressive décor, it's all about the produce, which is sure to appeal to young and old.
The store's master chocolatiers are all trained chefs from the Wholesome Kitchen team, who have all upskilled over the last few years.
“They have all received specialised training from master chocolatiers from Ireland and abroad. Making chocolate is very technical, you have to keep it at the right temperature to keep it in temper. It's very easy to mess it up and for the cocoa to separate.
With the food they produce is very different, Denise says that ethos is the same.
“It's very hard to make a healthy dessert but our point of difference is that they are all homemade and fresh. We watch every ingredient that is going in and we put the highest quality ingredients,” she said.