On Tuesday 12 March a group of exchange students taking the class English Conversation (Business Economics and Tourism) made a company visit to Hemgården, which is a local chocolate producing company focusing on making hand-made high-quality chocolate.
The company has recently moved their production facilities from Oravainen to the city centre of Vaasa. The new premises also include a factory shop in which the company’s products are sold. The owner of the company and host for the visit Kenny Sundqvist is a former student and graduate of VAMK. In addition to Hemgården, Sundqvist also runs a historical restaurant close to the battle-field in Oravainen. He runs both companies together with his girlfriend Suvi Mäntylä, who is also a graduate of VAMK.
During the visit to Hemgården the group heard about the company’s operations as well as how the chocolate is produced.
- We were offered coffee and chocolate tea together with a wide selection of chocolate pralines to taste and enjoy, tells senior lecturer Camilla Harald.
While tasting the various flavours the group discussed chocolate production, ingredients and global chocolate varieties. The students were also given opportunities to ask questions as well as to share their own countries’ chocolate eating traditions.
The international chocolate tasting team enjoyed Hemgården's products.
Text and photos: Camilla Harald