Newry’s NearyNogs chocolate makers wins recognition in US
NearyNogs, the Newry stoneground chocolate makers, showcased a range of handcrafted artisan chocolates at the big Craft Chocolate Experience in San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts.
The small company was invited by the organisers to show their unique Irish Collection of fine chocolates at the event with dozens of chocolate makers and experts from across the world.
Craft Chocolate Experience, held last weekend, brought diverse voices together and united the global chocolate community in the sweet pleasure of cacao while also discussing poignant issues like using chocolate to promote conservation, biodiversity, and supporting cacao farmers through transparent supply chains.
NearyNogs, an acclaimed craft business run by husband and wife team Shane and Dorothy Neary, has a longstanding commitment to environment preservation that includes using solar panels to power the plant’s chocolate making equipment and eco-packaging.
Shane Neary says: “We were delighted that the quality and outstanding taste of our handcrafted chocolate was recognised by the organisers who also backed our eco-initiatives at our small chocolate factory near Rostrevor in the Mournes. It’s quite an accolade to be invited to be part of the exhibition and dialogue at the Craft Chocolate Experience.”
The company was the first producer in Ireland of stoneground chocolate using cacao beans sourced direct from growers in plantations in the Caribbean and South America. It has won a host of quality and taste awards for its chocolates.
