Ballymena chocs are in celebs' goodie bags

A Ballymena business is providing handmade chocolates for celebrity goodie bags at the televised Queen's Birthday Celebration on May 15.
The chocolates which have been handcrafted by Amelia Austin of Ballymena business 'Vegan Snacks Sorted' for celebrity goodie bags at the Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration being broadcast live on ITV on May 15. (Submitted Picture).The chocolates which have been handcrafted by Amelia Austin of Ballymena business 'Vegan Snacks Sorted' for celebrity goodie bags at the Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration being broadcast live on ITV on May 15. (Submitted Picture).
The chocolates which have been handcrafted by Amelia Austin of Ballymena business 'Vegan Snacks Sorted' for celebrity goodie bags at the Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration being broadcast live on ITV on May 15. (Submitted Picture).

Owner of ‘Vegan Snacks Sorted’, Amelia Austin says she was stunned but delighted to be contacted a couple of weeks ago by a member of the ITV production team interested in commissioning her to create 100 chocolate favours for goodie bags being handed out to celebrities at the show which is being presented live on ITV by Ant and Dec from 8.45pm.

Among the global stars who could be tucking into one of Amelia’s handcrafted vegan chocolates are Kylie Minogue, Jess Glynne, Damian Lewis and Dame Helen Mirren who are among the celebrities scheduled to make an appearance at the televised 90-minute long extravaganza in the private grounds of Windsor Castle in the presence of the Queen.

It’s a long way from the kitchen in Ballymena where Vegan Snacks Sorted (VSS) was born just five months ago.

Mother-of-two Amelia (29), who is a vegan herself, established the business due to her love of food and a desire to provide exciting, new and tasty handcrafted vegan snacks and foods for fellow vegans.

She crafts raw chocolates - which are dairy-free, soya-free and sugar free and made using her own chocolate recipe; and she also makes fudge and baked goods, without using dairy, eggs or honey.

For her special commission, Amelia was tasked with making 100 miniature boxes each containing two of her chocolates which are presented in party favour sized, carriage-shaped boxes.

“I’m not sure how ITV heard about the business but I have had a few orders via my website from customers in London, so that might be how,” said Amelia.

“It’s a bit overwhelming but it’s exciting when you think that something I’m making in my wee kitchen in Ballymena could be eaten by people like Kylie Minogue or Ant and Dec!”