“I see chocolate as a product that can become unique based on one’s inputs. Therefore there is no need for competition “
— Mr. Kino Sammy one of the founders of Louis D’or Chocolate Company, makers of Tobago Windward Chocolate
The Louis D’or Chocolate Company was established by Mr. Kino Sammy, Mrs. Kadie Robinson-Rampersad and Ms. Venus Orr after networking with Jillian Goddard and the Alliance of Rural Communities (A.R.C.) – a well-known local grassroots initiative which collaborates with rural communities to develop sustainable livelihoods.
Their connection to cocoa can be said to have developed from an early age as they all grew up on the Kings Bay and Louis D’or Cocoa estates in eastern Tobago. However, they did not always have the plan of starting their own cocoa-based business.
In fact, Sammy chose to pursue an undergraduate degree in Land Management while Orr pursued a degree in Management (both at the U.W.I St. Augustine campus) and Mrs. Robinson-Rampersad pursued a program in Agriculture at the ECIAF Campus of the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
After graduating, however, they realised that they wanted to become entrepreneurs, and in doing market research, realised that there were hardly any large-scale chocolatiers in Tobago.
Sammy says “another major push was the simplicity in the process – we started by looking at YouTube videos, but then the A.R.C. trained us and taught us the ins and outs of the process, from tree to bar. They also provided us with start-up equipment, raw materials, labels and wrappers – as such we were able to start production within two weeks!”.
When asked about the transition to chocolate making, they state that it was not difficult as they were each able to take aspects from their former programs into the new business venture.
Sammy also stated that the team members partook in various training courses with local organizations such as CARIRI and that they are continually training and working to get better.
The total team consists of five members including Ms. Glendora Lashley and Mr. Jevon Stewart (working on marketing and corporate communications), and the three founding members (who work as chocolate makers and also coordinate tours, supplies and outreach drives).
Together they are the responsible for the production and distribution of two key products; a 24g Bene Ball Bar ($20) and 24g 60% Dark Chocolate Bar ($15) – and they also produced Chocolate Crème (an alternative to Punch a Crème) for the Christmas Season and are working towards launching a drinking chocolate and novelty bars, based on customer request.
The group also hosts local chocolate tours in Roxborough and Louis D’or ($100/adult and $50/child) wherein participants can view a cocoa estate and a traditional drying house as well as getting a first-hand demonstration on how chocolate is made, along with a free sample.
When asked about his view on chocolate production in Tobago, Mr. Sammy states that he appreciates and has respect for all the other chocolate makers on the island and sees chocolate as a unique product which changes immensely based on one’s inputs, so there is no need for rivalry.
He also believes that local chocolate companies complement each other as drivers towards increased tourism and encourages anyone who is interested in going into chocolate production to “Develop your bar the way you like it. Don’t be afraid to jump into the market and be creative” and to “Try to differentiate from your competitors while working with them”.
The team says that what makes the company special is that they have multiple revenue streams, and are community-based, giving them large-scale community support. They also tend to work with small community-based farmers and engage a local football and youth group who aid with wrapping chocolate bars and, at times, managing the estate.
They further encourage persons to contact them as they are willing to share information and/or work with interested persons, particularly those interested in producing chocolate in other areas within Tobago (such as Roxborough, Speyside and Charlottesville), as well as local cocoa farmers who are aiming to reduce product wastage.
Anyone who is interested can easily reach them through the Tobago Windward Chocolate Company Facebook Page or the Alliance of Rural Communities Facebook or Instagram pages.
