“If you’re not a risk taker, you should get the hell out of business.”

These are the words of American fast-food tycoon Ray Kroc, who led the expansion of the international fast-food giant McDonald’s.

It is debatable if there’s a good time to start a business, but embarking on a new venture during a pandemic, which has caused a lockdown and has made a global recession quite likely, is certainly risky.

This did not deter pastry chef Gráinne Mullins, who decided to create her new business, Grá Chocolates, (meaning love in Irish and is also short for Gráinne) during the lockdown.

“Many people want to buy Irish to help support Irish businesses, which means it is the ideal time to target the Irish market.”

Gráinne Mullins

Mullins has always loved food. Her interest started during her Transition Year work experience placement where she worked in a kitchen in Co Galway.

“My favourite part was always pastry, as I loved the precision of the work and the flavour combinations,” says Mullins.

Mullins has come along way since her days as a TY student, learning the ropes in a kitchen in her home county. She became Euro-toques Young Chef of the Year 2019 and has worked in several prestigious establishments across Ireland and France.

“I have worked in mainly fine dining restaurants such as Dan. B La table de Ventabren, OX Belfast, The House Restaurant and also in 5 Star Hotels such as Ashford Castle and Glenlo Abbey,” says Mullins.

“I have been so lucky to work with inspiring head chefs who have pushed me to be creative and also taught me so many techniques and disciplines that will also stand to me,” she adds.

Easter inspiration

When Covid-19 swept through the world, Mullins had to stay in Ireland. Like many, she found ways to fill free time – deciding to make hand-painted Easter eggs for her friends and family. After posting pictures of the eggs on social media, she received a great deal of positive feedback.

“I couldn’t believe the reaction I received. There was a large number of people reaching out to buy them,” she says.

“All of the fillings are made with Irish ingredients and where possible, sourced as locally and as sustainably as possible.”

Gráinne Mullins

With the lockdown prompting people to shop locally and support local enterprises, Mullins spotted a business opportunity.

“Many people want to buy Irish to help support Irish businesses, which means it is the ideal time to target the Irish market,” says Mullins.

Mullins set up her business Grá Chocolates and teased potential customers with the details of her latest creations on the Grá Chocolates Twitter page over the past few weeks. Mullins makes all of the chocolates herself with some help from family and friends. The capsule-shaped bonbon chocolates come in a variety of flavours including ‘Lil’ bit salty’, which is made from sea salt from Achill in Co Mayo, caramel and milk chocolate.

“My chocolates are each hand painted and hand tempered with great care and attention. All of the fillings are made with Irish ingredients and, where possible, sourced as locally and as sustainably as possible,” says Mullins.

“Grá Chocolates is founded on giving the best quality produce created into a mouthful of excitement,” she adds.

While experimenting with her chocolates, she enrolled in two online courses with a focus on food and drink producers. One was run by the Digital School and another was local an online course done through zoom classes which helped people start their own businesses.

Mullins set up her business with her own funds and currently has no shareholders. Although she has given much of her own money to her labour of love, she is not worried for the future of Grá Chocolates.

“The money for the business is my savings. I am investing a lot into it but I believe that Grá Chocolates will be a success,” says Mullins. The proof is in the pudding already as Grá Chocolates sold out on the day Mullins launched her business.

Mullins officially launched on her new business on July 24, and customers can buy Grá Chocolates online only for now, but Mullins hopes she will become a supplier to retail in the future.

“I would also love to open a shop,” she adds.

Customers can buy a box of the chocolates for €20 and it will contain 10 bonbons, with five flavours including: Mint to be, Lil’ bit salty, Ex-Straw-dinary, Bee my honey and Nuts about you.