An Italian chef has made a pandemic inspired chocolate bar - called COCOA-19

Chiara Scipione, 38, created 100 bars of the topical treats after having to close her private chef business due to the coronavirus outbreak.

An Italian chef has made a pandemic inspired chocolate bar - called COCOA-19.

Despite running into financial trouble and losing more than £2,000 worth of bookings, mum-of-one Chirara said she has received 'unbelievable' support from her local community.

The chocolatier, born in Liguria, Italy, has lived in Scotland for five years, and lives in West Calder, West Lothian.

Chirara said: "When COVID-19 hit, and lockdown measures came into place, my business was in trouble.

"I lost over £2,000 worth of bookings in just 24 hours, and had to entirely flip my business around.

"Since then, the support I've had from my customer base has been unbelievable."

Now she is looking to give away 100 of her handcrafted bars for free to frontline workers as a show of appreciation.

The new COCOA-19 bar will be released today (Mon) and Chiara is urging people to nominate their chosen key workers on Facebook, or using the hashtag #COCOA19 on Instagram.

Chiara said: "As I see it, people saved my business when I was in trouble, and now we are giving back.

"Key workers are tirelessly working to keep things going, and care for our most vulnerable, so I wanted to say a huge 'thank you' - and what better way than to do it with chocolate?"

"Five years ago, I decided that Scotland was going to be somewhere I wanted to call home - and it truly is home.

"It's where I've finally realised my own dream to become self-employed and do what I love the most - care for people by cooking for them."

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