The Pantry Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island, AUS

Tucked away on the southern coast of Phillip Island, The Pantry Cape Woolamai has quickly become a local favourite. More than just a butcher, it’s a destination for food lovers; known for premium cuts, house-made deli goods, and a handful of carefully chosen gourmet extras. Among them is UP-UP Chocolate, which, according to the team, has been “leaping off the shelves” since it arrived.

The Pantry is first and foremost a butcher and deli - how do you decide which branded products make it onto your shelves?
We’re very selective about what we bring in. Our focus is always on quality and provenance, so anything that carries another brand name has to really earn its place. UP-UP did that straight away. It’s bold, it’s ethical, and it’s got a great story behind it. We don’t want to fill our space with just anything — we want products that add value and feel aligned with what we do.

How did UP-UP first catch your attention?
The branding is impossible to miss, isn't it? It’s bright, fun, and so different from the usual chocolate packaging. Once we looked into the brand and saw that the cocoa is single-origin, crafted at source in Colombia, and 100% slave-free, we were sold. It’s a product with integrity, and that matters to us.

Chocolate isn’t the first thing people expect in a butcher - how does it fit into your offer?
You’d be surprised how perfectly it fits! People come in for something to cook for dinner,  maybe a beautiful cut of meat or some charcuterie and often want a little something sweet to take home too. Who doesn’t want a square of chocolate after a good meal? It’s the perfect finish. UP-UP bridges that moment really well it’s an easy, feel-good treat that complements the food we sell.

Which flavours have been the most popular so far?
The Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate is by far the winner. Customers love it. It’s smooth, creamy, and has that touch of salt that keeps it interesting. We’ve had people come back specifically for it, which is always a good sign.

How do customers respond to the brand and its look?
The packaging practically jumps off the shelves! It brings a real pop of colour to our display and gets people curious. The story behind the brand, the ethical sourcing, and the fact it’s made at origin, which really resonates once we tell it. But truthfully, most of the time, the chocolate sells itself.

What’s your ultimate cut pairing with an UP-UP bar for dessert?
Absolutely! We’d recommend finishing a meal of local Cape Woolamai Scotch Fillet with a square or two of UP-UP Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt. The richness of the steak followed by the smooth, slightly salty chocolate is such a satisfying combo. It’s a simple way to turn a good dinner into a great one; just add a glass of red wine and you’ve got yourself the perfect night in.