Ann Rudden runs one of Ireland’s leading artisan chocolate companies, Áine Hand Made Chocolate. Ann completed a course in bakery and management in the Dublin Institute of Technology in Kevin Street which led to landing her first full-time job with the Irish Chocolate Company, now known as Butlers Chocolates and then Lily O’Brien’s.
In 1999 Ann started developing her own range of chocolate products. Based in the village of Stradone, her business grew from strength to strength and won numerous awards including 25 Great Taste Awards, two IQ awards and recommendations from leading food critics such as John and Sally McKenna and food guru Rick Stein.
The Company now produce a range of bars and gift boxes and has markets in Ireland, UK, Malaysia, France and Dubai a host of independent retailers such as Avoca, Kilkenny Shop, Morton’s and Fallon and Byrne. In addition, she also ships to a number of finefood retail outlets in the UK, Dubai, Russia and Malaysia.
Ann Rudden is a member of the Cavan Economic advisory forum at Cavan council.