Mind Your Temper

Mind Your Temper vegan Black Forest Bonbon described by judges as ‘faultless’ has been named Leefield Station Supreme Champion and Bonbon Champion at this year’s Outstanding Food Producer Awards.

 Crafted from plant-based chocolate made with coconut milk powder, Mind Your Temper Black Forest Bonbon is one of a range of treats which creator, Christchurch’s Nel Vincencio says surprise people when they learn they are vegan. “A funny thing happens if I say something is vegan or plant-based. People become suspicious and expect it won’t taste good.’ The Outstanding Food Producer Awards judges weren’t discouraged; they said the Bonbon had ‘Perfect gloss and shine. Outstanding developed flavour. Exemplary. Amazing flavour journey. Faultless.’

 Recognition at the Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards has helped Christchurch pastry chef Nel Vicencio build awareness of Mind Your Temper, his business creating accessible plant-based treats. Nel says ONZFPA medals – which followed accolades from the NZ Chocolate Awards in 2022 – coincided with recognition from dessert lovers that vegan treats can taste delicious!

Sweet, delectable, plant-based treats have been available on the streets of Christchurch and beyond since early 2021 thanks to chocolatier and pastry chef Nel Vicencio and founder of Mind Your Temper.

Originally from the Philippines, and professionally trained in Seattle, Washington, Nel has called New Zealand home since 2012, finding great success in the dessert industry.

Food is a life-long calling for Nel, who has worked in the industry for much of his life. “I have been doing chocolate work and baking for a long time, I went to school in the US to attend a baking program in Seattle and that’s where I got into chocolate and pastries,” he says.

New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown was the prompt for Nel to contemplate his venture. “During the lockdown, I was thinking about what businesses or hobbies I’d like to do, so that’s how I started the work,” he says. All of Mind Your Temper’s products are dairy free and vegan, while popular now, Nel says it was initially difficult to establish himself in the industry as a vegan food producer, given that desserts are usually rich in dairy products.

“Everyone knows someone who is vegan, or lactose intolerant, so our products are perfect to accommodate that diet while providing joy – and favour!”

— NEL VICENCIO

“It was a challenge in the beginning, getting people to try the products because when people think of dairy-free or vegan food they often assume it won’t be good or flavourful,” he says. “At the start, we were going to farmers markets and no one would try our food.” However, as plant-based and vegan diets began to grow in popularity and receive more publicity, Nel says things began to slowly take off.

“Three years ago, it was rare to see vegan options on menus and in cafes, but then it became more accepted and normal. Everyone knows someone who is vegan, or lactose intolerant, so our products are perfect to accommodate that diet while providing joy – and favour!” he says.

As if a pandemic and consumer apprehension towards dairy-free desserts wasn’t enough of an obstacle, Nel explains it's more difficult to craft and create the perfect vegan chocolate or desserts, as there are no proven recipes. “I was making vegan chocolates at home and it was hard because there are no books about how to make vegan chocolates.” After hundreds of trials, smoothing out the process, Nel now has the perfect recipe down.

While being recognised at the 2023 Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards, was a proud moment for Nel says it’s important to keep working hard and perfecting his craft. In March 2023 Mind Your Temper received three medals; Gold for its Speculoos Bonbon, Silver for its Hazelnut Chocolate Bar and a Bronze Medal for its Raspberry Cheesecake Bonbon

“It’s important to recognise your hard work, we feel very proud and it’s taken a lot of work to get here. We’ve got some traction, we’ve been busy making delicious treats and we want to keep getting the word out there that we exist,” he says. “When people think of chocolate, I want them to think of Mind Your Temper, it's a funky, quirky name, and our possibilities are endless.”

Visit Mind Your Temper at the store 4 Charlcott Street, Burnside, Christchurch or learn more on the website.