Ao Cacao

Ao Cacao founder and head chocolatier Thomas Netana Wright is passionate about restoring the mana of chocolate through his work. Tom envisages a world where cacao is grown ethically and sustainably and fine quality chocolate is used to create delicious and inspiring and new food experiences by a new generation of indigenous chocolatiers. Tom has an enviable epicurean pedigree having trained under master pâtissier and chocolatiers in Europe and the United Kingdom. He has worked in Haute Patisseries and Chocolateries, 5-Star Hotels and 3 Michelin star kitchens in Europe, USA and Aotearoa. Through Ao Cacao Tom shares his love of his craft and sources all of his cacao from a sustainable producer in Sāmoa. He then ferments, roasts and grinds the beans to create a unique bean to bar chocolate experience which he marries with flavours unique to the Pacific and Aotearoa.