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Art in chocolate/ The loving craftsmanship of a girl from Korça

2025-05-27 15:52:00, Qyteti im CNA

In the city of Korça, a girl has brought a whole new spirit to the world of artisanal sweets. Her name is Sotilda Sotiri and for nearly three years she has been making personalized artisanal chocolates, which are not just sweets, but works of art that intertwine taste with aesthetics. After an experience in a pastry shop in Tirana, Sotilda decided to return to her hometown to build a unique journey, and to bring something new to Korça through chocolate.

"I have been making personalized artisanal chocolates in the city of Korça for almost 3 years. I took this initiative when I returned from Tirana. I worked in a pastry shop there and took it as a profession. I thought I would bring something new to the city of Korça," says the young woman.

Art in chocolate/ The loving craftsmanship of a girl from Korça

Every product that comes out of her hands is personalized, from the ingredients to the colors to the shape. Most clients prefer chocolate flower bouquets, with different flavors, a job that requires time and dedication.

"It's difficult because every one of my creations is made based on the client's request, such as the chocolate, its color, and of course the taste, because no client is the same. Most of them prefer bouquets of chocolate flowers with different flavors, and we will definitely be at the client's service," says Sotiri.

Art in chocolate/ The loving craftsmanship of a girl from Korça

One of the most favorite chocolates is “Dubai Chocolate”, a combination of two types of chocolate, with pistachio, walnut and kadaifi filling. In addition to chocolates, Sotilda also makes confetti for special occasions such as weddings, baptisms or baby showers. Each product requires time, detail and often, a lot of sacrifice.

"Take as an example the chocolate that is in fashion, Dubai chocolate, which is made with two types of chocolate, 100% dark and milk chocolate. The filling is made with sticks, nuts and kadaif. Other confectioneries make it only with pistachio cream, I also add nuts because they give it flavor. A Dubai chocolate can take 20 minutes to make, while the most difficult chocolates are flower bouquets, where each flower has its own realization with different minutes. In a bouquet of 10 flowers, one flower requires 10-15 minutes of work. On the other hand, we also have confetti, for weddings, baptisms, baby showers with gender reveal and these take 20-30 minutes per confetti", says Sotilda.

Art in chocolate/ The loving craftsmanship of a girl from Korça

Sotilda says that prices range from 200 to 500 old lek for a confetti, while flower bouquets start at 1000 new lek. This makes some customers hesitant, but there are many others who have become loyal customers for 3 years now.

"There are customers who are satisfied, there are those who are not. You mean why? Because there are customers who are based on price, they may like the product, like chocolate, but they are also put off by the price. There are customers who are loyal and always order. The price of each confetti (christening, birthday or wedding favor) starts from 200 old lek to 500 old lek. While flower bouquets start from 1000 new lek and then it depends on the order and the size of the bouquet," she says.

Art in chocolate/ The loving craftsmanship of a girl from Korça

However, what makes every minute spent at work more valuable is the reaction of the clients. With two university degrees, Sotilda has chosen a path that is more than a profession for her. It is a passion that feeds her every day with love and creativity.

"I will definitely continue. Chocolate is primary. Someone could say that "with two universities and you have entered another art". I am proud of it and I am very happy. Even though it takes a lot of time and is very tiring, when you deliver the order to the client and when he sends you a message saying how satisfied he was, I feel emotion and I am immensely happy", says Sotilda.

Art in chocolate/ The loving craftsmanship of a girl from Korça

At a time when everything seems mass-produced, it is inspiring to see young people like Sotilda choosing the path of passion, creating with hand and heart. In each of her chocolates there is more than taste. There is history, dedication and love for art. From Korça, she reminds us that the best sweets are those made with soul. /CNA