The holidays are right around the corner (like, literally a week and a half away), which means last-minute holiday gift shopping is happening left, right, and center. People are hustling and bustling to make sure they find that perfect gift for a special someone in their lives. Whether it be mom, dad, significant other, or your favourite coworker, shopping for the ideal gift is a difficult task. However, Läderach Swiss Chocolatier has arrived in Toronto all the way from Switzerland, and just in time to help make your holiday gift-giving that much easier!

The Grande Opening of their brand-spanking-new flagship store in the Eaton Centre happened last week, and it was nothing short of spectacular. A true celebration of the brand’s Swiss roots, they paid homage to its European heritage with Alphorn players, traditional Swiss cow herders, Swiss cowbells, and so much more. Notable attendees of the celebration were Swiss Consul General-Mrs. Elisabeth Bösch Malinen, Head of Swiss Business Hub and Deputy Consul General-Eros Robbiani, and Johannes Läderach, CEO and Elias Läderach, Head of Innovation and Production for Läderach Chocolatier Suisse.

This family-owned company has been operating for nearly 60 years and is a household name among the Swiss population. Until now, they’ve catered primarily to Switzerland, Germany, and the Middle Eastern markets, but have now started expanding into North America. With the new flagship store in the Eaton Centre, and a shop in New York City, the brand has set its sights high for 2020.

Läderach has approximately 1000 employees and over 80 stores worldwide, so it’s pretty easy to see why this chocolatier is so cherished by its customer base. They are known for having the freshest, high quality, and most importantly, sustainably sourced artisanal chocolates in Switzerland. And that is one of my favourite things about the brand. They manage the production line, right down to the cocoa bean, maintaining strong relationships with cocoa cultivators to ensure only the best ingredients are crafted from bean-to-bar. For loads more information on Läderach’s sustainability initiatives, click here.

Now, for the low down on what you really care about: the chocolate. I was generously gifted a number of different variations of Läderach chocolates, which allowed me to get a better idea of what we’re dealing with here. I’m happy to report, it’s pretty much all delicious (and I’m not just saying that)! What’s cool about Läderach is that they do a few things, really really well. They’re not trying to be a jack-of-all-trades here, dipping their toes in all the ponds. No, they’re making sure they do what they do to the utmost degree.

Here’s the deal; if you’re a praline lover, this is your paradise. They’ve mastered nuts and pralines like no other chocolatier that I know of, and have created unique and very Swiss ways of presenting them. Let me introduce you to FrischSchoggi™, the Swiss equivalent of chocolate bark. It comes in over 20 different varieties, making it the perfect gift because there is something for everyone. Think fillings like hazelnut, raspberry-blackberry, or cornflakes (my personal fave), and seasonal favourites like gingerbread. Buy em’ in assorted shard-like pieces, or an entire 700g slab if you’re a hardcore chocoholic like that.

Of course, Läderach has got tons of other offerings such as chocolate covered nuts (almonds and hazelnuts), alcoholic and non-alcoholic truffles, chocolate mini-mousses, and another super Swiss candy called ChocoBijoux (made out of finely ground hazelnuts). To top it all off, all the chocolate is extremely special and thoughtful, from the hand-painted holiday treats, to the Masters Tablet & Bonbon set created by World Chocolate Master Champion and Head of Innovation and Production, Elias Läderach.

And when I say thoughtful, I mean down to the very last detail. Everything ties back to the company’s Swiss heritage: the decor, the packaging, even the chocolate itself that gets shipped into Toronto from Switzerland on a weekly basis. They are truly masters of their craft.

Have you stopped by this chocolate heaven yet? What’s been your favourite treat so far? And if you haven’t been yet, what are you waiting for?? Let me know in the comments! Huge thanks to Läderach for showing me around the new flagship store, and for letting me sample everything my heart desired!