Inspired by the learning and experiences during the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Kapatid Mentor ME Program (KMME) Program in 2020, Ms. Grace Dalin of Gracias Resto has reached another milestone in her business. She boldly accepted the invitation of DTI-Zamboanga Del Sur (ZDS) to showcase her chocolatier skills during the 1st ZDS Kakaw Festival on 11-14 February 2021 where she was declared top seller of both cash and booked sales during the event.
In 2013, while working in Dubai as a business development executive for a Baking Solutions Company, she got to train in baking and eventually had the chance to get an International Chocolatier training. From there, she never expected to have the opportunity of continuing her newfound skills when she returned to the Philippines in 2018.
Being steadfast in her dream of becoming a successful person in business encouraged Ms. Dalin to set up her own restaurant. She never hesitated to take the opportunities offered to her by the Negosyo Center in Midsalip for thorough business counseling and monitoring. Eventually, this led her to enroll in the KMME Program.
In her Business Improvement Plan presentation, which is the final output of the KMME Program, never did she thought that a very short part of her introduction where she mentioned her background in artisan chocolate-making would ignite her dormant skills in crafting chocolate wonders. One of the mentor panelists suggested that she venture into local chocolate processing as Midsalip is becoming a rising chocolate-producing municipality.
With a little encouragement and focused product development sessions from the Negosyo Center Midsalip, Ms. Dalin introduced her Gracias Chocolate Pralines using locally produced 70% chocolate in Midsalip. This served as her ticket to participating in the first-ever ZDS Kakaw Festival 2021 under the trade name Gracias Chocolate Hub. Her determination, passion, as well as her dedication to her craft greatly contributed to the success of the Kakaw Festival, which in one way or another gave the Cacao growers in the provinces a boost of confidence in their crops. ♦
Date of Release: 10 May 2021