Our shrinking world. Our friends Robin and Carol Foulis from South Africa ordered me some divine chocolate from their niece in Ireland that has her own chocolate business (Zaeire Artisan Chocolates) and it was delivered to my door in Indianapolis USA. It was a 1kg slab of 54% dark chocolate with roasted pistachios, dried cranberries, golden raisins and caramelised white chocolate. Thanks Leigh for this beautiful creation, that I can tell you was amazing and so very special.
About Us
Leigh Kelly
I was born and raised in sunny South Africa and have had a real love and passion for chocolate from a young age – I’ve always liked eating it…the making it came many years later.
I left Cape Town in 1997 after finishing high school and went to the UK where I pursued my professional career in hospitality, where I managed high end restaurants. Paul (my husband) and I left London in December 2010 and headed back to Cape Town…it was always the dream to move back to the sunshine and my family. However, faith found us in Wexford a few months later, this was to become home! Later that year my daughter Keira was born.
I started making chocolates from my kitchen in 2013 and it was much more of a hobby at this stage. I soon realised that this was a business opportunity and I seized the day.
The name Zaeire comes from the coming together of South Africa (ZA), my homeland and Ireland (EIRE), my husbands homeland. It is the story of my husband and I.
The business has grown over the last few years, with my Zaeire chocolates now being stocked in select outlets nationwide.
Zaeire Chocolate is now an award winning product with a Gold Star Award from The Guild Of Fine Food at The Great Taste Awards 2016, finalists in The Blas na hEireann Awards 2017 and the silver award winner in The Blas na hEireann Awards 2018.
I love sharing my passion for chocolate making and run chocolate making workshops for Children during the school holidays. After many requests from the moms, I now also run fun adult chocolate making classes!!
I look forward to seeing the business grow even more this year…feel free to let me know where you would like to find my chocolates and I’ll be happy to help tickle your tastebuds.
