Image: Contributed
This year, Okanagan Edge and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce have partnered to showcase some of the Okanagan’s most exciting entrepreneurs, through the Top 40 Under 40 program.
Sponsored by BDO, the Top 40 Under 40 recognizes innovative young professionals in our community and showcases their accomplishments.
Okanagan Edge will feature a new honouree each week, so check back often.
This week we recognize Julian Helman of Karat Chocolate.
Image: Trevor Nichols
Julian Helman learned the culinary ropes at the Canadian Culinary Institute in Charlottetown, further refining his chocolate and pastry skills at the famed French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College at City Colleges of Chicago.
From there he worked in a wide range of positions at various establishments, before eventually striking out on his own and starting Karat Chocolate.
At Karat, Helman creates chocolate with premium local ingredients like lavender, cherries, and freeze-dried Cabernet Sauvignon.
Helman says his training has had a “profound impact” on his last 15 years, proving to be a foundation for his creations not just in style and technique, but philosophy.
“Food is more than just food,” he says. “Good food can be something special when made with care.”
Along with running his own business, Helman volunteers with organizations as diverse as the Alan Brooks Nature Centre, the Kelowna SPCA, and the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
He also helps the Canadian Mental Health Association and Kelowna Gospel Mission during the holidays by supervising classes or preparing food.
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