Cocoba Limited, based at Kent Kraft Industrial Estate in Northfleet, is the manufacturing arm of its namesake café at the Lower Rose Gallery, Bluewater.

Literally a chocolate paradise, the firm produces a large range of premium chocolate bars, truffles, pralines, chocolate coated coffee beans, salted toffee truffles and anything from 90% dark chocolate bars to chocolate covered ginger.

Owned by Australian Darren Litton, the firm has become a victim of its own success having expanded with a 180% growth rate.

Mr Litton said: “We are an independent business, and we put love and care into each product. We focus on staff training and development and have very high retention rate. We have managed to hire additional local staff and implement

new stock systems to help deal with this growth.”

The firm is aiming to grow to be one of the nation’s leading chocolate brands, as well as expand its chocolate cafes throughout Kent and the rest of the UK.

Mr Litton added: “We have an incredible team who all work incredibly hard, share in the success of the business and are like family. Our products are also incredible and delicious.”

This year’s sponsors are: University of Greenwich, Barnes Roffe, Handleshanken, KM Media Group, Kuflink, Gravesham council, Rise Communications, Hatten Wyatt, Caxtons, Partnership Invoice Finance, GK Coffee Group (Starbucks), and SoftForge.