It was a great pleasure and honour for me to attend the 30th birthday celebrations of Adora Handmade Chocolates a Sydney success story that has been in my orbit of fine establishments since 1999.
The night's festivities were held at the Earlwood store, a fitting choice since it is the suburb where the magic all began, is in close proximity to the proprietors' homes, and most importantly, has received continued support from the local community.
The story goes that Adora Handmade Chocolates began as a humble collaboration between two sisters in a domestic kitchen back in 1993, a whopping thirty years ago.. One as a poor uni student with the ideas, the other providing the kitchen in which to manifest the gifts of chocolate creations for family and friends (in Greek, Adora means gift).
Fast forward to 2023 the sisters, Katerina Stavropolous and Tina Angelidis, have managed, in between living a full family life, to build a seven (soon to be eight) store empire from their passion and dedication of creating with love, handcrafted chocolates from the finest of ingredients.
The origin store was in a tiny quaint building tucked in at the bottom of a hill in the aptly named halfway suburb of Undercliffe, the name of which some may not kno, but it sits between Marrickville and Earlwood predominantly beneath a cliff. Back in the late 90s I travelled that route on a very frequent basis, passing Adora Handmade Chocolates with thoughts that I'd like to visit one day. My chance to taste the exquisite artistry of Adora came at their second store located in the arcade next to what is now known as the Sofitel Wentworth, but then known as the Sheraton Wentworth, a venue that was and still is a favourite haunt of mine. From these two stores Katerina and Tina have grown a suite of unique stores all over Sydney, each with its own vibe. The Undercliffe store has been replaced by the Earlwood store but still remains a firm favourite by the sisters. We had visited it a year ago at Easter time and it was great to see the Easter theme once more in full flight. Think giant chocolate bunnies, eggs, gift packs and of course cabinets bursting with individual handmade chocolates that you can create your own tailored box for your loved ones.
Don't forget that a very affordable high tea at $34.50 per person is also an option at Adora. You will receive a selection of savoury pastries and sweet treats with your choice of complimentary coffee, tea or pure coverture hot chocolate and of course your choice of a handmade chocolate. It is the perfect way to unwind and show your appreciation towards ffriends and family.
Make your way into an Adora Handmade Chocolate Cafe today. With a current choice of seven to choose from - Earlwood, Croydon, Newtown, Parramatta, Oatley, Sydney CBD (Circular Quay and the Sofitel Wentworth arcade), there is no excuse not to make your way to a location in the very near future to taste Sydney's greatest and sweetest success story. Be on the look out for the 8th store to be located in the Wynyard precinct later this year.
Photos by Annie Keverian @sydlifeofus