celebrating Decadence Chocolates of Winnipeg

Helen Staines opened her chocolate shop at 70 Sherbrook Street in Winnipeg in March of 2016, and celebrated the Grand Opening of Decadence Chocolates on April 9, 2016. Since then, there have been a number of other players on the Winnipeg chocolate scene, but none with the fun-loving nature that Helen puts into her chocolate creations.

Helen Staines of Decadence Chocolates in Winnipeg truly brings joy to the chocolate she creates.

Originally from Yorkshire, England, Helen has lived in Winnipeg since 2001, accumulating a variety of experiences in the food industry that encouraged her to try her hand at making her own chocolate. With the flavour being excellent, but the presentation not being up to the standard she wished to present to customers, Helen took training via Ecole Chocolat, the Callebaut Institute, and one-on-one training with Jean-Marie Auboine of Las Vegas to up her game. The result is the marriage of passion and near perfection, and a truly delectable line of affordable chocolate products.

I had the great pleasure of first meeting Helen just prior to her grand opening, and experienced a tasting of her creative confections, decadent brownies, chocolate bonbons and bars. I didn’t taste anything I didn’t like, but I did taste a few things I absolutely loved–most notably the Turtles on the Half Shell–a Helen Staines original creation (also called “Lonely Turtles”) that takes the chocolate turtle originated by Nestlé to a whole new level of chocolate perfection.

Those of you who have been reading this blog for awhile will likely recall my declaration of love for the dark chocolate turtles made by Christopher Elbow of Missouri and the milk chocolate macadamia turtle-type creations made by Big Island Candies of Hawaii.

Decadence Chocolates does something really cool in their “Lonely Turtles” by using both milk and dark chocolate in these decadent creations. The shape and appearance is reminiscent of a devilled egg, or an oyster on the half shell. The outer shell is made of thin milk chocolate that acts as a cradle for the inner sanctum of the turtle–a dark chocolate ganache nesting atop the delicious buttercream caramel (that doesn’t stick to your teeth) topped with two candied pecans. I actually ate three of these masterpieces in one sitting, which tells you just how good they are.

A selection of Decadence Chocolates includes the ‘Turtle on the Half Shell’ on the right, the Passion Fruit chocolates (dark and milk) on the upper left, Blue Sea Salt Caramel, and Banoffee on its right.

I also have a passion for passion fruit truffles, and the ones I tasted at Decadence Chocolates were excellent, although I much preferred the dark chocolate with passion fruit jelly to the milk chocolate version with a passion fruit cream. I also loved the Banoffee truffles that Helen says are patterned after Banoffee, a classic English dessert pie made from bananas, cream, and dulce de leche. Decadence has a variety of chocolate bars done in different styles. I loved the dark chocolate Decadent Element Almond Bar featuring rice krispies and marshmallow cream. The Element Bars are thick and substantial and downright delicious. I enjoyed every variety I tried. And whenever we’re in the mood for something spicy, the Firecracker chocolate really hits the mark with a gentle heat.

celebrating Decadence Chocolates of Winnipeg

Another thing I love about Decadence Chocolates is the open kitchen concept. I’ve seen this in many locations around the world and love the opportunity to watch the chocolate artisans at work. Alongside the kitchen is a glass wall with several small tables at which you can enjoy a decadent hot chocolate and a cookie, brownie, or chocolate treat.

Helen Staines making up some delicious candy in her kitchen at Decadence Chocolates. Helen’s warm smile and open kitchen concept are two of the reasons her shop stands out as a great place to shop for chocolate in Winnipeg.

Helen launched her bean-to-bar chocolates bars in late 2016 using cocoa beans from Venezuela. But more recently, has refocused on her strength in the more playful side of chocolate.

Decadence Chocolate offers four flavours of made-on-site ice cream including a passion fruit flavour during the summer, with a smaller selection available year-round. The ice-cream is available in 26-ounce takeout containers to enjoy at home. You’ll find a great selection of seasonal chocolate specialties year-round at Decadence Chocolates to help you celebrate whatever or whoever you love–including the crazy popular “Lumps of Coal” chocolate bombs for off-the-chart hot chocolate.

If you’re a caramel lover as I am, don’t miss the delicious caramels of Decadence Chocolates. We love the Mixed Caramels selection that includes sea salt, coffee, and brown butter pecan handmade caramels that are crazily delicious, creamy, not too sweet, and don’t stick to your teeth.

The chocolate scene in in Winnipeg is noteworthy. In addition to Decadence Chocolates and Confections Inc., Winnipeg is home to Constance Popp Chocolatier of St. Boniface. And as of 2018, there’s also the Melt Chocolate Company to explore. Every Winnipegger knows our city’s iconic chocolate company, Mordens’ of Winnipeg, that will be celebrating 65 years of chocolate and confection-making in 2024. It’s wonderful to see such quality players in the Manitoba chocolate scene and providing many opportunities to #ShopLocalMB.