Made From Scratch: Meet Nuwan of Mellow D

Nuwan opened Mellow D on June 10, and nearly everything in the shop is made by his own hands — every chocolate, every French pastry, from scratch. Before this, he spent more than 20 years in Dubai kitchens, working in five-star hotels, clubs, and restaurants. Now that experience goes into a small shop of his own on 167 Street, in the heart of the West End.

People are coming in for the Dubai chocolate, but there's a whole case worth exploring behind the counter. We talked with Nuwan about learning to cook at his mother's side, why he calls chocolate a science, and how the neighbours next door helped a brand-new business find its feet.

Visit Mellow D
10027 167 St NW, Edmonton
mellowd.ca
Weekly offers: @mellowd.dsrt

From Dubai Kitchens to His Own Shop

Tell us about yourself and how you got started.

I'm originally from Sri Lanka, and I started my career there before moving to Dubai. I spent more than 20 years in Dubai, working in five-star hotels, one of the largest water parks, clubs, and restaurants. Then I moved to Canada, worked at a few places, and now I'm here with my own shop.

What made you want to start your own business?

It's been my dream since I was a kid. I always said I wanted to bake. As I grew up I learned a lot — baking, different techniques — and eventually I thought, I want to start something of my own. This shop is that dream come true.

Chocolate Is a Science

Where did the passion come from?

When I was little, I used to watch my mom cook. She never measured anything. She'd put the spices and the meat together by hand, and somehow the taste was exactly the same every single time. I was so curious about it. I kept asking her, how do you do that? Later, when I went to school, I learned that cooking is actually a science, and chocolate especially. It takes a lot of care. It's all about time and temperature.

What makes Mellow D unique?

We use high-quality ingredients, and I make everything from scratch — I'd say 95 per cent of the products are homemade. Right now I'm baking and making all of it myself, though I'm planning to hire a couple of staff soon. Making everything from scratch is something I want to keep forever.

What to Try

What are you known for so far?

Dubai chocolate, mostly. That's what people come in asking for. Our strawberry pistachio chocolate cups have gone a bit viral, too. For the chocolate, we use premium products, like Valrhona and Belgian chocolate.

Walk us through what's in the case.

My chocolates come in three categories. There are bonbons, then Dubai chocolate in a lot of different flavours, and then solid barks — chocolate with nuts and other ingredients. I have a 70 per cent bar with coconut and salt, a strawberry chocolate with pistachio, and a mint chocolate with caramel and pecan. Chocolate is my favourite thing to work with. There's so much skill in it, so when a piece comes out nice and shiny, that makes me really happy.

Any deals coming up?

Every week we put on different offers. This week it's $2 off any two French pastries, and $2 off all chocolates. We post the new offers on our social media each week, so it's worth checking before you come in.

A Neighbourhood That Shows Up

What drew you to this area?

I could see it's a growing area with a nice community. I wanted to show people something new, something they hadn't seen before. That's why I chose here.

How have the other businesses treated you?

They've really helped. The team at Ocean Odyssey, right next door, has been sending a lot of customers to Mellow D and telling people our products are fresh and good. Kunitz Shoes has been sending people over, too. The shops here look after each other, and that gives me confidence — it means they trust my product.

If someone hasn't been in yet, what should they know?

That everything is actually made from scratch, with good ingredients. We have unique French pastries and chocolates, all made in house. I'd love my neighbours to come in and see the place. 

Mellow D is only a couple of months old, so this is the fun part — a new shop still introducing itself to the neighbourhood. Stop by the 167 Street storefront next to Ocean Odyssey, try the Dubai chocolate or the strawberry pistachio cups, and check their social media for the week's offers before you go. Nuwan will likely be the one who made whatever you take home.