The ‘Food Tourism’ award celebrates excellence across three aspects — business practice, visitor experience and sustainability — with Wendy highly regarded in all categories.
Second place, with a silver award, was Stefano Marvello, who offers an Italian cooking experience in Bowral in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
While a little closer to home In the Major Festivals and Events category, the Deni Ute Muster was awarded silver.
Winning gold has been fantastic recognition for Wendy, who together with her husband, Martin, designed and built their spectacular home business in a stunning tranquil location just five years ago in Tocumwal.
Included in the design of their home and work area for the chocolate school are two separate studios, with private entry for overnight or longer stays, overlooking what is a quintessentially Australian outlook.
Guests are invited to join the couple for a gourmet meal or enjoy dinner in the studio or on the rear deck.
The option of doing a chocolate class, then relaxing in the pool, enjoying a gourmet dinner with a glass or two of fine wine, seems the ultimate indulgence.
The property is on two acres and overlooks White's Lagoon and its abundance of wildlife.
It’s particularly ideal for lovers of glamping, who will enjoy the peace and tranquillity.
To ensure creature comforts are catered for, there is a king-size bed and French bed linen in the tent.
While ‘Woodie’, a caravan of age and character, has been restored to provide a modern fully functioning bathroom.
Gourmet Food Packs are available for breakfast and dinner.
However, it is the chocolate school that initially captures people’s attention and Wendy’s passion to pass on her knowledge and skills for quality handmade chocolate to her students.
In May, she flew to London and Paris to attend master classes with two of the world’s finest chocolate makers.
It proved an amazing experience, seeing the best at their craft and meeting chocolate makers from countries around the globe.
Her classes cater for groups small or large. On rare occasions, there could be as many as 25 students.
“It’s enriching to give a group of people lots of information in a small space of time, knowing they will take it away to use in the future,” Wendy said.
“Learning to use the finest ingredients and to make chocolates to suit their particular taste is a thrill, whether using dark, milk or white chocolate, it is certainly a personal taste.
“After attending the chocolate making class, guests are booked in for dinner and a stay in the studios, which has often been the only opportunity some have had for a personal chef to cook for them.”
In addition to being a chocolatier, Wendy has the talent to produce exceptional food, assisted by Martin, in their thoughtfully designed and beautifully equipped kitchen in two parts.
One area, adjacent to the living room, for personal use and a larger space when entertaining groups.
Wendy has a natural talent with food and over the years has attained Certificate III in both commercial cookery and pâtisserie.
“I have always been involved with food and initially thought I would like to open a chocolate shop, but there wasn’t anything available,” she said.
“We then decided to build our house and business as one to run the Tocumwal Chocolate School, and so happy we did.”
Word has a habit of getting around when you offer people something new, and actor Shane Jacobson learnt about the accommodation from a friend in Numurkah and booked a night with his wife.
Delighted with the luxurious fit-out of the studio, the couple were intrigued by the whole concept and loved every minute of their stay.
During this year's PGA Championships, an overseas professional golfer and her coach stayed in the two studios and the pair enjoyed the fine quality of the food served.
For more information, visit tocumwalchocolate.com.au or email info@tocumwalchocolate.com.au.
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