Bainivalu loves to bake chocolate cake

Esther Bainivalu (right) and her cousin Elizabeth Umu shop for chocolates at New World IGA at the Fiji National Provident Fund Plaza, Suva, on July 6, 2020.

Ever heard the saying, “Chocolate is happiness that you can eat?” Well, that rings true for Esther Bainivalu.

She not only loves to eat chocolates, but she also uses chocolates to bake mouthwatering chocolate cakes.

The 20-year-old is a second year student of the University of the South Pacific.

Her area of study - Bachelor of Environmental Management.

She lives in Laucala Beach, Suva. Yesterday, Ms Bainivalu was accompanied by her cousin Elizabeth Umu to buy chocolates at New World IGA at the Fiji National Provident Plaza in Suva.

“I love to bake chocolate cakes, so I use chocolate to decorate the cake that I make either for home use or for a birthday,” Ms Bainivalu said.

“During this COVID-19 pandemic, I used my baking skills to bake as much as I could. I get orders from my friends and family for their birthdays.”

She preferred New World IGA because of its current chocolate sale - chocolates from $11 to $12 were now selling at $6. New World sells Cadbury, Fijian Cacao, Mars, Kit Kat and Tresor Dore.

Yesterday, Ms Bainivalu bought six packets of chocolate.

“We come all the way here to buy chocolate because it’s cheap and affordable. “I only chose milk chocolate that doesn’t have any other thing in it for baking. “I charge $50 for those who make their orders. And the money I get, I save it for tuition fees and bus fare.

Elizabeth, 15, prefers hazelnut chocolate. “Whenever I have a lot of money, I always buy chocolate straight after school and we share it inside the bus with my friends.” Chocolates at New World IGA at FNPF Plaza are on sale from July 3 and the sale ends tomorrow.