The historic five-storey flour mill has undergone a $560,000 revamp, with the addition of two new chocolate making areas, including a moulding room and additional space for training, design, packaging and storing the finished product.
Managing Director Neil Druce says production is set to skyrocket by around 250 per cent thanks to the improvements, and in good news for chocoholics, the factory’s range will grow too.
“The types of products will increase, and we’ll be able to make chocolate blocks with different things in them, and we’re going to be able to do in one hour what is currently taking us seven days to do, so there are big efficiencies being made,” Mr Druce said.
“We’ve got a lot of great things here and we’re going to have even more things in the future, but I think the number one thing, my favourite mix, is milk chocolate, organic milk chocolate on organic licorice it just combines well.”
The improvements include an interactive room where visitors can get their hands dirty making their own tasty temptations so visitors can enjoy the full factory experience.
The Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory upgrade is delivering the gift of local jobs too, with a focus on recruiting young adults and Aboriginal employees.
Mr Druce said the factory already participates in a youth training program in partnership with Junee Council, Junee High School and TAFE NSW.
“It’s so important to regional areas to have people train in hospitality, particularly as baristas or chefs because we are so short on that skilled labour, and that is certainly being felt right across Riverina’s hospitality industry,” Mr Druce said.
Apprentice chef Alex Costello has been with the factory for three years and says the opportunity to train locally has made all the difference to his fledgling career.
“Just having the ability to train and learn different things stood out to me in a regional area where you might not have as much to do– it’s just a good opportunity to open up your own horizons, and long term I’d like to cook around the world and learn as much as I can,” Mr Costello said.
“Growing up I didn’t have many chances to try new things and create as much as my imagination can cover, so honestly now seeing the world a bit, I can’t wait to continue training and keep cooking.”
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Executive Director Harriet Whyte said the project is also helping put the Riverina on the map as a home of quality food production.
“There is just so much going for the Riverina, we have beautiful produce, talented artisan food producers and innovative business people and Junee Licorice and Chocolate really highlights what a great place the Riverina is for foodies,” Ms Whyte said.
The Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory received $560,000 from the NSW Government to extend its chocolate production facility and make accessibility improvements.
If you’re keen to check out the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory range go to: www.juneelicoriceandchocolate.com
