A PRIVATE CHEF and chocolatier from Dorset serving an array of chocolate delicacies is Daily Echo’s trader of the week.

Christian Ørner owns Salt, a chocolatier and private chef business in Poole.

The unique and independent business offers visitors to take a break from normal restaurants and experience high-class desserts.

Mr Ørner has been a chef for nearly 20 years and has worked at local establishments including two restaurants with Michelin stars.

In February 2017, he set up the company after having enough of cooking ‘other people’s food’, and hasn’t looked back since.

Speaking about his experience, Mr Ørner said: “I have been a chef for nearly 20 years now. I graduated from Bournemouth and Poole College in 2008 after three years of training.

“I decided I wanted to be a chef all those years ago because “chefs get the girls”, and everyone loves someone who can cook…

“I drastically underestimated how much chefs work, especially in the better places. But that said, I am getting married in October to my amazing partner Laura. So I can’t be that far wrong about “getting the girls”.

“I set up SALT Cø. Private Chef and Chocolatier in February 2017 which offers 7-course tasting menus (5 savoury courses and two sweet).

“I found that there was a two Michelin star restaurant in Berlin that does purely desserts and I loved the idea. I am always looking to do things that are different so I kind of put two and two together there.

“I have had a sweet tooth since before I was born so I’m surprised it took me this long to have this idea.

“The SALT Cø. business model is that we go to people’s houses and cook, and this will not change. The idea with our Chef’s Table in Upton is that people can also come to us.

“We do pop-ups, set monthly changing 4-course lunches, and now the 5-course dessert tasting menus.”

Salt’s latest dining experience included treats such as balsamic caviar, frozen meringue, and chocolate shortbread.