Introducing COLOCAL – The Cacao Artisans

In this blog post, I cover COLOCAL, a first-of-its-kind artisanal chocolate brand from Delhi that offers an out-and-out unique chocolate dining and delivery experience.

I've had my share of trying times over the years but nothing has come remotely close to what I am going through right now. The second wave of coronavirus has not just created mayhem in India, it has also brought with it acute grief and unprecedented pain to a large number of people. 

It's hard to remain calm when there is a loss of lives everywhere. Countless are forced to bid their loved ones adieu. These are untimely and heartfelt goodbyes!

I'm appalled by the situation, just like anyone who didn't saw this coming. Never imagined the situation to be this bad. If the first wave of the coronavirus left us gasping for breath, the second wave has completely devastated us emotionally.

The hospitality sector is at the receiving end again, as one of the worst-hit industries. Restaurants and bars have either permanently or temporarily shut down, leaving many out of work. 

For dine-in outlets, it's the final nail in the coffin. Trying to get back on their feet after the second wave is over will be a tall order if you were to ask me.

So what do F&B brands do, given that their very existence is at stake? Is the F&B industry in India up for a massive makeover? Are food deliveries going to be the future of F&B? I asked these questions to power couple Sheetal Saxena and Nishant Sinha, whose brand COLOCAL is redefining the chocolate indulgence experience in the capital.

Sheetal says - 

"When we started working on this project recently, everyone questioned the timing. On top of that, artisan chocolate requires a skill set and formal knowledge. We broke this barrier and learned that all we need is sheer passion and dedication to succeed. All our team members are from a village, adopted and trained by us, they were unschooled before about the details. They make the most amazing chocolate with all the love, care, and precision. COLOCAL for us as we say; artisanal, sustainable, zero waste, passion-driven and approachable. 

Our objective is to educate people about chocolate and create a market for them to explore the whole process and technique of making chocolates. Our audience is inquisitive, experimental, chocolate lover, coffee lover, and a foodie."

Artisanal brands like COLOCAL provide the much-required respite and encouragement in these trying times. After all, who wouldn't want to learn the process of making delightful chocolates from locally grown cacao and transform it into one of the finest, skillfully blended chocolates! 

Now you can also experience and get introduced to the world of craft chocolate by ordering real chocolates with their flavor profiles, made out of premium quality Indian beans. 

The menu at COLOCAL is expansive and assorted with a mix of Italian and Continental fare such as the sourdough pizzas, handmade pasta, scrumptious burgers, and sandwiches, not to forget the most popular and celebrated coffee menu from the Roastery Coffee House.

South West Chicken Burger

My favorites include the South West Chicken Burger, Cranberry Coffee, and Twice Baked Chocolate Cake. You can place an online order for their in-house chocolate bestsellers like hot chocolate, cold chocolate, cacao cold brew, to name a few.

 In-house Chocolate Bestsellers

The brand is planning to blend food with chocolate, so expect some savory and flavorful star recipes. 

COLOCAL also offers baked goods and bakery items revolving around chocolates. Go for appetizing desserts such as the Chocolate Soufflé, Chocolate Tarts, Cakes, Chocolate Babka, Sourdough, Croissant, Pain au chocolat, amongst many more indulgent treats available on the menu.

Twice Baked Cake

The avant-garde COLOCAL is an extension of Sheetal's and Nishant's gifted personalities. For me, the brand represents unalloyed passion infused with creativity and grit. With COLOCAL you're witnessing chocolate in variants like never before!