Durban's chocolate lovers were in heaven at the Lindt Boutique at the Pavilion Shopping Centre in Westville.
It's the second boutique store opening in Durban - the first opened in 2016 at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
According to Lindt's Stefan Kuhn, who is the company's head of retail, the Gateway store is the most popular of all the Lindt boutiques in South Africa.
"The new interactive LINDT Chocolate Boutique is sure to be Durban's ultimate chocolate destination. Not only will it be our largest South African retail store to date, but it will also offer Durban consumers full access to the authentic LINDT experience, allowing them to truly immerse themselves in the brand and gain a greater appreciation for the art of chocolate making," he explains.
Radio and TV personality, DJ Fix (Fikile Moeti), was the MC and as the ambassador of the Lindt Hello range, she rocked a buzz cut with blue braids and a black lace jumpsuit.
@LindtSA ambassador, @Fixsacious is here as the MC. #LindtPavilion pic.twitter.com/2u0ghO6pFP
— Buhle Mbonambi (@Buhlebonga) November 21, 2018
Close to 100 socialites, influencers and bloggers packed the store, where they were treated to a chocolate demonstration by master chocolatiers, Dino and Nosicela Manona.
Nosicela will be the boutique's in-house master chocolatier, where she will advise shoppers on the chocolates they should purchase.
At the #LindtPavilion opening tonight. A whole confectioners dream. pic.twitter.com/ja836qbZts
— Buhle Mbonambi (@Buhlebonga) November 21, 2018
The store is also the first to have Lindt's new chocolate range- the Piemonte.
Made with hazelnuts from Piedmont in Italy, it's the latest range from the Swiss chocolate brand and it will be available in all South African stores in December.
And for the first time in SA, @LindtSA has introduced its new #Piedmont chocolates. Launched tonight at the #LindtPavilion launch. pic.twitter.com/UWJhALz5Wn
— Buhle Mbonambi (@Buhlebonga) November 21, 2018
What most looked forward to though, was the chocolate demonstration where you could make your own Lindt chocolate bar.
A first of its kind Master Chocolatier station will be a permanent feature at the Pavilion store, where consumers will have the opportunity to create their own LINDT slab under the guidance of the in-store LINDT Master Chocolatier.
Guests were allowed to pick three toppings (pistachios, hazelnuts, desiccated coconuts, candied orange, cranberry and Lindt Fruit Sensations) for their chocolate bar and it takes only 8 minutes for the bars to be ready.
At the Make Your Own Slab corner... These took 8minutes to make. #lindtpavilion @LindtSA pic.twitter.com/LJhe9XUoUY
— Buhle Mbonambi (@Buhlebonga) November 21, 2018
It's clearly going to be popular and just in time for the festive season and it's probably ideal for gift ideas. In an interesting step, chocolate lovers will also be able to purchase hot chocolate, milkshakes and freshly baked brownies and macarons.
I got a taste of the macarons and they are so good, I felt guilty after eating one.