Are you and your little Oompa Loompas looking for something to do over the holidays or weekends? Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery have opened a sister store. They are dubbing it a 'petite chocolaterie' and it is set in the welcoming and tranquil village of Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula.
Over 180 chocolate options to choose from. Photo provided.
Anna and her family enjoy some ice cream together after their 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter participated in a Junior Chocolatier class
Freshly baked brownies on offer (there were 9 flavours available on the day I visited)
Enjoy free tastings, truffles, 180 different chocolates, a Brownie Bar, Italian gelato, hot chocolates, barista coffees, old fashioned milkshakes, tasting sessions and chocolate making workshops. Note that they do not offer a cafe menu and seating in the shop is very limited.
Cherry Ripe Brownie with a scoop of Cherry Orange Choc Chunk ice cream; how delicious does that sound? Fresh, baked-daily brownies are available as a part of the 'Brownie Bar'. Flavours available on the day that I visited included Baileys, Peanut Butter, Strawberry Choc, Nutella, Freckled Triple Choc, Grasshopper, Triple Choc, Cherry Ripe and Banana Walnut. Price at publication time is $6 with a scoop of ice cream at an additional $3.
Gourmet collection paintings have been specially commissioned and painted by local watercolor artist Wendy Hall
Gourmet collection paintings have been specially commissioned and painted by local watercolour artist Wendy Hall. The artworks created depict iconic local vistas on the Mornington Peninsula, including the pier, seaside, beach boxes and the Cape Schanck lighthouse. Original art is on display in store.
Check the '
What's On' calendar to view seasonal events and indulgent activities at Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. My four children were invited as guests to the Junior Chocolatier Class (
bookings essential). Kids aged 6-12 can join the specially created Junior Chocolatier Classes in the summer holidays and selected weekends. Staged in their private tasting room, the kids learn from Chocolatiers how to make their very own chocolate creations. $40 includes a personalised badge, chef's hat and apron, graduation certificate plus three sized take-home chocolate creations to enjoy. The day that we attended, my kids made a large cow, a gigantic lolly-filled chocolate lollipop and a selection of six small moulded chocolates (various shapes that my kids chose included koalas, shells, turtles and fish). My sons are ages 7, 7, and 11 and my daughter is 9. This activity truly bridged age and gender for them to enjoy the class together.
My kids at their Junior Chocolatier class (included take-home chef's hat and apron)
My kids at their Junior Chocolatier class (included take-home chef's hat and apron)
Cow created at the Junior Chocolatier class
Showing off their creations
Koala moulded chocolate made at the Junior Chocolatier class
Parking was a bit limited but there is free parking available in the area. Plan to arrive early enough to find parking up the street if you are booking for a class. There is a grassy area out front of the shop and Flinders Township Reserve (on the corner of Cook Street and Norman Street, just 100 meters west of the Chocolaterie) provides a gorgeous picnic spot with plenty of natural shade. There are toilets in the Chocolaterie, so have the kids use them before you leave; public toilets are awkwardly located on the other side of the street, about 100 meters east of the chocolaterie, behind the pharmacy.
Overall, the booking process was quick and easy, the class was incredibly enjoyable and offered great value for money, and we will definitely be returning. How amazing does this lamington macaron look? Available Australia Day Long Weekend.
Lamington Macaron available Australia Day Long Weekend with lamington ice cream and a decadent lamington hot chocolate also available
