Douglas on verge of becoming a chocolate paradise
CHOCOLATE FARM
PORT Douglas is on the cusp of becoming the chocolate capital of Far North Queensland if Australian Chocolate Farm operator Darryl Kirk is provided the opportunity to turn his Shannonvale property into a production hub.
The New Zealand-born Kirk, who has made his mark as a chef and pastry chef, is a lover of all things sweet, tasty and successful. And as a Kiwi, the success he enjoys the most is the recent run of 18 unbeaten rugby Test matches – a modern-day record for top tier Test teams – by the mighty All Blacks.
And while he loves to discuss the All Blacks, Kirk is also enjoying other rewards which he hopes will enable him to produce something unique to this part of the world. He already has the right credentials at an international level.
His 85 per cent dark chocolate received silver at both the Americas and Asia Pacific competition in New York earlier this year, and at the International Chocolate Awards in London last month.
The International Chocolate Awards is an independent competition recognising excellence in fine chocolate making and in the products made with fine chocolate. As the world’s only fully independent international fine chocolate competition, it aim to support companies producing fine chocolate and chocolatiers, small companies and artisans working with fine chocolate.
By helping these markets to grow and develop, it aims to support the farmers that grow fine cacao.
“Although there may be many who did not realise that cocoa is grown in Australia, I am capitalising on this knowledge and I believe this is the first time chocolate made from Australian-produced beans has won anything at international level,” he said las he surveyed his cocoa plantation.
But Kirk is facing a challenge. Until he is given the green light – by Douglas Shire Council – to turn part of his farm into a production area with the appropriate infrastructure, he will be unable to sell his chocolate.
This is a golden opportunity for Council to acknowledge that Kirk is offering diversity and something unique to this region. If Council is serious about economic development, they should waste no time in endorsing and assisting Kirk in every way possible.
“I hope Council gets behind me. I have proven to an international audience that I have a superior product and I want it to be part of our local market. This is my key objective,” he said.
Kirk arrived in the port in 1993 with wife Jennifer and after working at the then Radisson (now QT Rersorts), he opened kitchens at the yacht club and Mossman Bowling Club. From 2000-2006, he operated Mo Jo’s in Mossman. He still works as a pastry chef in the town and planted his cocoa beans on his property in 2008.
If it wasn’t for a Google search, Kirk would not have made it on to the international stage.
“I wanted to enter my chocolate at an international competition, but at that point, did not know of any.
“When I found what I was looking for, I did not hesitate to enter and Jennifer and I were honoured when we landed silver medals. It made us realise we have something special which we need to pursue,” said Kirk.
Although it may be a trifle unfair to our readers, Kirk provided Newsport with an opportunity to taste his chocolate.
And the verdict: Outstanding. In fact we would have awarded him Gold. Let’s hope it’s not too long before everyone can enjoy his chocolate.
