Chocolatier’s sweet success from mom’s kitchen to Oscars gift bags

By Elizabeth Hunter via SWNS

A woman who started making chocolates in her mom’s kitchen is now serving them to Hollywood stars - in Oscar gift bags.

Fiona McArthur, 37, created Fetcha Chocolates after seeing an increase of customers seeking dairy and gluten free treats in the sweet shop where she worked.

During 2019 she moved in with her mom in her hometown of Campbeltown in Scotland – and by 2021, she had opened up her shop in the town center.

Fiona, a keen film fan, had always dreamed of having her chocolates featured in the luxe Oscar gift bags.

They are given by LA company Distinctive Assets to nominees across the five main award categories.

Just over a year after opening, the company reached out to Fiona, offering her the opportunity to design a box of chocolates specifically for the event – and she jumped at the chance.

Her chocolates – each one inspired by a best picture nominee – will be enjoyed prior to Sunday’s ceremony by 25 of the most influential actors seen on screen.

Fiona says that despite paying for the promotion, it is her most exciting opportunity yet.

“I was staying with my mom when I had the idea to try making chocolate – she had a decent sized kitchen, so I commandeered half of it,” said Fiona.

“I started making chocolates and offering them to friends – and it grew from there.

“I was working in a friend’s sweet shop, and people were coming in and asking for things that were gluten-free or dairy-free, but nobody was really making them – so I decided to give it a shot, and it just kind of worked!

“The first year was pretty stressful. For the first few months, I was making literally everything myself – all the packaging from scratch and everything.

“I wanted to make sure the concept was sound before I invested in everything. It was a bit of a struggle but I’m glad I persevered.

“When I was designing the packaging, I had the gift bags in mind as an ideal goal to aim for.

“I wanted it to look elegant – something luxury and eco-friendly, with the Oscar goodie bags in mind.

“It’s mind-boggling that they came to me not long after!

"I don't know how they found me. "My whole brand is luxury chocolates, eco-friendly and allergy friendly so I assume they searched for those things and maybe found me that way.

“You have to pay for it because it’s a type of marketing opportunity, so I did that, signed the contract and then it was a matter of posting the chocolates out to them.

“It’s absolutely crazy – it’s still blowing my mind and I can’t really wrap my head around it.”

Fiona’s custom chocolate boxes contain chocolates based on each of the Best Picture nominees – including Barbie, Oppenheimer, Poor Things, Killers of the Flower Moon and her personal favorite, Maestro.

Since news of her collection has spread, Fiona says her online sales have nearly quadrupled, with regular emails asking for restocks, and says customers are even making trips from across Scotland to visit.

The awards collection is six different chocolates, themed after the Oscar nominated movies,” she said.

“I would go to the cinema with a notebook and write down what flavors I thought would work while I was watching them.

“For Oppenheimer, I wanted it to be fiery and explosive, so it’s a dark chocolate chili ganache on the inside, with popping candy on the outside.

“Barbie is strawberry and rose – I wanted something feminine and girly, and then Margot Robbie wore a strawberry themed dress and some rose themed outfits on the press tour, so I thought that would be perfect.

“The response has been absolutely bonkers!

“I’m getting about sixteen emails a day asking if I’m going to be putting more chocolates out because people want to try them.

“I have people stopping me in the street in my town to congratulate me and ask how it’s going – I feel like a local celebrity.

“I’m just glad everyone else is as excited as I am!”

Now, with chocolates sent off and gift bags packed up, Fiona has plans to relax and enjoy the ceremony from home – before getting right back into her work.

“I’ll be having a watching party with some friends, some champagne – and probably some chocolates too,” she said.

“I’m really excited. When I first started the business, this is what I had in mind as my goal – now I’ll have to think of a new goal!”