This Saskatoon pharmacist makes $100 luxury chocolate bars in her garage

Venessa Liang meticulously crafted her luxury chocolate bars, each one a work of art that she pours hours of creativity and skill into. Removing the bars from their moulds, she delicately brushed them with edible gold dust to cover up any tiny imperfections along the edges.

“I know these imperfections may seem minor to some, but to me, it’s important that they look perfect,” Liang explained, inspecting each bar with a critical eye. “Even though they will be broken when you enjoy them, I want them to be absolutely beautiful when you first receive them.”

Liang’s luxury chocolate bars, priced at up to $125 each, are highly coveted and only go on sale once a year. This year’s sale on November 22 sold out within minutes, leaving chocolate enthusiasts eagerly waiting until 2025 for their next chance to indulge in her creations.

In her garage-turned-chocolate laboratory, Liang meticulously handcrafts each bar, treating them as pieces of art. With a background as an oncology pharmacist, she brings precision and attention to detail to both her professional and creative endeavors.

“I treat each bar like a piece of art, combining unique flavors, artistic designs, and high-quality imported chocolate,” Liang shared. “This is why my chocolate bars are priced higher than your average grocery store treat.”

One of Liang’s standout creations this year was the Taste of Dubai bar, a Saskatchewan-inspired twist on a viral chocolate bar from Dubai. Featuring toasted kataifi, turmeric gold chocolate ganache, and pistachio bresilienne, this $100 masterpiece showcases Liang’s innovative flavor combinations.

While Liang’s journey into luxury chocolate making began as a contestant on “The Great Chocolate Showdown,” she has since honed her skills and continued to experiment with new techniques and ingredients. Drawing inspiration from the chefs and chocolatiers she met on the show, Liang has elevated her creations to new heights.

Despite the challenges of working with chocolate, which she describes as less forgiving than cake, Liang finds joy in the creative process. Balancing her demanding career as an oncology pharmacist with her annual chocolate-making venture provides her with a much-needed creative outlet and a break from the intensity of her work.

For Liang, precision, creativity, and passion are at the heart of her chocolate-making journey. Each bar is a labor of love, meticulously crafted to delight the senses and bring joy to those lucky enough to savor her decadent creations.