Meet the two Athlone chefs who have turned their talents to handmade chocolates

Georgia Quealy and Daniel Linehan have worked in some of the best restaurants in Ireland, and are now putting those skills into creating handmade chocolates using the finest Irish ingredients.

Pastry chefs Georgia Quealy and Daniel Linehan met in college, and have honed their skills in restaurants including the Michelin-starred Campagne in Kilkenny and Thyme in Athlone, as well as training with some of the world’s best chocolatiers.

When the pandemic struck and restaurants closed, the duo decided to team up to create something that could be enjoyed by people at home, and Bon Chocolatiers was born.

Their fine dining credentials are evident in their approach to their handcrafted chocolate bonbons, which incorporate seasonal Irish flavours. Ingredients include Irish sea salt, dairy, foraged berries, Westmeath hazelnuts, Irish liqueur, Irish peanut butter, and locally milled grains.

Since those early days, their business has grown and grown, without a doubt becoming the silver lining of the pandemic for them.

Georgia and Daniel say, “Our mission is to elevate chocolate to the next level by pushing the boundaries with flavours and textures, creating a whole journey of the senses. We like to use our artistic interpretation when choosing the colours and designs of the chocolates, taking inspiration from the flavours and seasonal ingredients.”

Not only are the chocolates themselves like mini works of art, the packaging is equally luxurious, making them an excellent gift.

Their chocolates have also won many accolades, most recently Emerging Producer at the Food & Wine Awards.

To pick up some of their chocolates for someone special, you can find them at Gifted at the RDS this year, and they will be at the Signature Editions event, “Setting the Scene” in Galway on Sunday, December 11. They will also be doing a Pop-up in the Athlone Town Centre during Christmas week.

Bon Chocolatiers award-winning chocolates make for the most beautiful gift this Christmas with a selection of seasonal options to choose from. The limited edition box of Festive Treats (€25) includes a selection of four festive flavours, while the much-loved Signature Collection (€25) and the newest edition, Rockin’ Robin (€16,) are now available in four different flavours. Order online from bonchocolatiers.ie.