Jentene på Tunet

Founded by Iris Martinsen Aune and Eivind Aune in 2015, Jentene på Tunet is an award-winning chocolatier based in Selbu and one of the largest handicraft chocolate makers in the Nordic region. After their widespread success in Norway, they now have their sights set on international expansion.

A Bit of Happiness in Every Piece

Images / Elisabeth Sofie Hovde Words / Kai Isaksen & Julia Elizabeth Yager

Iris is a trained chef and dietitian with a passion for creativity and creating memorable tasting experiences. After many years of making chocolates for barn weddings, confirmations, conferences and parties, Iris started playing with the idea of turning her hobby into a business. Today, their products are sold all over Norway under the brand name ‘Sjokoladefryd’, which translates to ‘chocolate joy’. “We put so much time and love into our craft, so we believe there is a bit of happiness in every piece.”

It all started when Iris and her husband Eivind moved to Selbu in 2009 and purchased Selbutunet one year later, a small hospitality venue with an idyllic riverside location. While Eivind was running a mechanical company, Iris managed Selbutunet and began experimenting with chocolate in her spare time. After receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests, she expanded her team and increased production in 2015. Jentene på Tunet has since grown to 18 full-time employees, with even more staff during peak seasons, and close to 2,000 square metres of production space.

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What sets Jentene på Tunet apart from other chocolate companies is their focus on taste, creativity, and quality. “One key challenge for many companies when they grow like we have in the past few years is to not fall for the temptation to go industrial, thereby compromising on ingredients and flavour in favour of quantity,” Eivind says. They therefore only work with quality-conscious suppliers to ensure that each unique piece of chocolate is handmade with the best ingredients. The objective is to create an unforgettable experience for the eye, the nose, and the palate.

Having conquered much of the Norwegian market, Sjokoladefryd is now sold in more than 500 locations around the country, from village shops to high-end restaurants. Prime minister Erna Solberg has even gifted the chocolates to foreign heads of state. Given their huge success and massive growth, the team is now looking to expand the business internationally - Sweden and the UK are two good candidates. In addition, they wish to take advantage of their existing new facilities in Selbu by offering chocolate workshops to companies and groups of guests.

Iris and Eivind are quick to credit the success of Jentene på Tunet to the hard work and dedication of their team. They are humbled by the amount of praise and publicity they have received, and also grateful that more and more people are opening their eyes to high quality chocolate, especially Sjokoladefryd. Despite their widespread success and bright future, Iris and Eivind remain most proud of their small farm shop in Selbu where guests can sample and buy their products, and even get a tour of the factory if they’re lucky.