This New Chocolate-Filled Advent Calendar Will Help See You Through Lockdown

Between the strict lockdown rules and disappearance of any social life, it sure doesn't feel much like Christmas at the moment. But there is a little Yuletide tradition that might actually help inject a bit of happiness into this whole mess — a new iso-friendly advent calendar filled with locally made chocolates.

Brainchild of pastry chef and chocolate-maker Kep Whitley, the idea for the product came about after a fortuitous phone discussion lamenting the latest lockdowns. The aptly named You've Got This chocolate box comes neatly packed with 42 different signature Kep Whitley bonbons and truffles, representing the exact number of days in Melbourne's latest stretch of stage four restrictions, from Sunday, August 2 to Sunday, September 13. Yep, you can reward yourself with one of these rich, velvety chocolates for every 24 hours of lockdown you survive. Perhaps a ceremonious choccy hit to pair with Premier Dan Andrews' daily press conference?

The box's dreamy lineup of truffles includes the likes of salted caramel shrouded in a dark chocolate and crunchy cookie outer, and a blend of banana, rum and white choc. And then there's the delicate bonbons, each hand-painted in a unique splash of colours. Will you go for the combination of yuzu gel and matcha ganache? The coconut and strawberry number? Or perhaps the almond haze tahini praline with crisp feuilletine? Whatever your palate, you're sure to find more than a few winners in this lot.

The Kep Whitley You've Got This lockdown chocolate box is available now to buy from the online store for $90. While you're there, you can browse the brand's full range of chocolate delights, including bars, brittle and lush spreads. But, you'll need to move quick — the box has already sold out twice.

The You've Got This chocolate box is available to buy now for $90 via the Key Whitley website.