Nevine Salah Eldin turned decades of international travel into inspiration for a handcrafted Egyptian chocolate brand, leaving behind a 30-year career in the travel and aviation industry to pursue a new passion.
Speaking on &ldquo;The Big Drive&rdquo; with Zeinab and Sami as part of the Made in Egypt segment, Nevine shared how she launched &lsquo;Chocolati&egrave;re Delights&rsquo;, a local business focused on premium handmade chocolates.
NileFM explored the story behind the Egyptian brand, which aims to compete with some of the world&rsquo;s finest chocolates while showcasing local creativity and flavours.
Inspired by Swiss Chocolate
During her years in aviation, Nevine frequently travelled to Switzerland, where she developed a strong appreciation for its world-famous chocolate industry.
&ldquo;I used to travel to Switzerland all the time and inspired by Swiss handmade chocolate, I always asked myself, &lsquo;Why don&rsquo;t we have a similar project in Egypt?&rsquo;&rdquo; she said.
In 2025, she decided to step away from her career and explore a completely new path.
&ldquo;I did not know exactly what I wanted to do. My friends always told me I was a good cook, and one day I came across a video of a Russian chocolatier on social media. That was when I decided to learn chocolate-making from scratch.&rdquo;
Although she initially expected the process to be simple, she quickly discovered the challenges involved.
&ldquo;At first, I thought it would be easy, but it is actually very difficult. People try my chocolate and often cannot believe it is handmade in Egypt.&rdquo;
Building an Egyptian Brand
Nevine says the biggest lesson she learned from international companies was the importance of quality.
&ldquo;The most important thing is to provide the best quality possible. Quality allows you to compete with anyone. But it is not enough; you have to continue improving and developing your products.&rdquo;
She believes Egypt has the talent and resources needed to compete in international markets.
&ldquo;We have quality materials and incredibly creative people, so why should we not compete with global brands?&rdquo;
Never Giving Up
Like many entrepreneurs, Nevine faced moments when she considered abandoning her project.
&ldquo;Whenever I had to travel, I did not like producing chocolate and leaving it in storage. Every occasion made me think about quitting.&rdquo;
However, her ambition kept bringing her back.
&ldquo;The next day, I would tell myself, &lsquo;No, this is my dream.&rsquo; I wanted to create an Egyptian product that could compete with Belgian and Swiss chocolate, and I refused to fail.&rdquo;
Today, her products are made entirely with premium ingredients, and she continues to look for ways to make the brand stand out.
In September 2026, she plans to launch a new collection inspired entirely by Egyptian flavours.
Quality Beyond the Price Tag
For Nevine, premium quality is not simply about choosing the most expensive ingredients.
&ldquo;Premium does not always mean using the most expensive brands. Sometimes the best ingredient is not the priciest one.&rdquo;
She added that many customers now prefer her Egyptian creations over imported chocolates.
The Power of Social Media
Social media played an important role in helping Nevine launch and grow her business.
&ldquo;First of all, I got the idea from social media. It is also one of the best ways to reach customers.&rdquo;
Her first customers were friends, but recommendations quickly helped the brand expand.
&ldquo;Many of the people who ordered from me did not even know it was my own brand at first. Over time, many customers became friends.&rdquo;
Celebrating Egyptian Identity
One of the most distinctive elements of &lsquo;Chocolati&egrave;re Delights&rsquo; is its Egyptian-inspired chocolate designs.
&ldquo;I wanted something that represents our Egyptian identity.&rdquo;
The idea began when a friend asked her to create a special Egyptian gift for a Chinese client. Nevine started developing Pharaonic-inspired chocolate moulds, although finding suitable designs was not always easy.
The collection gained wider attention following the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum, later attracting interest from customers abroad, including in Poland.
What&rsquo;s Next?
Nevine is preparing to launch a new range of 100% Egyptian-inspired chocolate products in September 2026, continuing her mission of showcasing local flavours through handmade chocolate.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Nevine ended the interview with a message for those considering starting their own businesses:
&ldquo;Do not wait for the perfect time because it never comes. It is never too late to start. I began a completely new career in my early fifties, and that is proof that dreams have no age limit.&rdquo;
Egyptian entrepreneurs interested in appearing as guests on "The Big Drive" with Zeinab and Sami as part of the Made in Egypt segment can send their stories to: contactnrp@nrp.net.eg. The weekly programme airs every Monday, highlighting inspiring Egyptian brands, entrepreneurs and businesses.

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