TORONTO – Ferrero Canada Operations hosted their inauguration of a new 445 million dollar expansion of a new production line in Brantford this past Friday.

Upon entering the lobby I was welcomed with the heavenly perfume of warm pastries and nutella coming from some oven somewhere. Intrigued and feeling more excitement than usual on a grey April day, I found the extra energy to make my way up the lobby staircase to the Ferrero celebrations.

In the conference -media holding room, I was met with tables of Ferrero brand chocolates and treats. A beautiful display of everything any child would love to devour instantly. Nutella Biscuits caught everyone’s eyes. When the speeches were over, there wasn’t an adult who resisted the race for the cookies. Not a fan of cookies myself, I was able to resist.

Until I returned to my car.

The nutella biscuit is a cookie filled with Nutella. Something children seem to love. Not a fan of cookies that are too thick to bite, crumble , break and make a mess everywhere I initially wasn’t interested.

The “cookie” neatly broke off when I bit into it. No cookie evidence left anywhere on me. The flavour and texture seems to be the perfect blend of a flakey crostata shell and light cookie texture. Magically, the nutella remains in the state we all have come to enjoy.

This is the biscuit that President Omar Zausa announced “starting next year, the Brantford factory will be home to the second Nutella Biscuit Factory in the world”

The other announcement was to launch Ferrero’s new Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Square. The first new shaped chocolate idealized and produced here by the Canadian plant. It is already a hit in the European market.

Premier Ford addressed those in attendance acknowledging the hard work, commitment and dedication of Ferrero Group in calling Ontario home. Their efforts to expand will be matched with 36 million dollars in funding. Grants have been earmarked for companies that choose to open their manufacturing plants here in Ontario. In this case, also creating 500 new jobs.

The Italian Ambassador, Alessandro Cattaneo proudly welcomed the invitation.

Speaking to the crowd he encourages the continued partnership with Canada. His acknowledgement of the Ford government and Team Canada’s efforts to keep international trade and th

“ Please consider having in Italy a privileged partner who shares the same sense of orientation, purpose and values”.

Consular General Luca Zelioli acknowledged that Italian companies are famous for their high production quality. This made Ferrero Canada the best choice to co-celebrate the facility expansion inauguration with the Global Made in Italy day, April 15th. A day that was chosen because it was Leonardo Da Vinci’s birthday. An Italian famous world over for his designs in art, architecture, machinery and design are still studied and copied 500 years later.

Omar Zausa captured the essence of this day perfectly in his closing remarks. “ As a Global Manufacturing Company, we are proud of our Italian heritage and equally so, our Canadian roots”

I had the opportunity to mention to Omar that the beauty of the gold packaged round Ferrero Rocher was to watch little children try to hide them in their cheeks. You can’t hide a square the same way.

Omar happily responds “ah, but you can! These are perfect for hiding in your coffee. Try it!”

Immediately in my mind I see the slender shaped individually wrapped squares on the tray in the conference room. Looking like packets of sugar on a tray , easily slipping into a jacket pocket or purse pocket to enjoy in an afternoon coffee break.

Maybe, they will replace sugar packets at the bars in Italy. Wouldn’t that be something! Italians making new food rules to accommodate their Italian Canadian heritage.

Being Italian Canadian just became trendier!

Congratulations Ferrero Canada!