THE SWEET tale of a Horndean man who started his own chocolate business will soon be told on the small screen.

People who visited the Petersfield Christmas Festival last Sunday may have seen Jamie Kemp’s stall as he was there selling his award-winning chocolates during the town centre event.

The 25-year-old founded JK Fine Chocolates in 2014 after spending two months with a cacao growing family in Costa Rica.

He has tasted plenty of local success but his brand could soon have a global following as a film about his remarkable journey from camera operator to chocolatier will be made next year.

Mr Kemp decided to book a flight to Central America on a whim after graduating from Southampton Solent University. He needed a break after falling out of love with film-making but the two months he spent in the Costa Rican jungle were life-changing.

He said: “I’ve always been fascinated with chocolate, how the beans are grown and how it’s harvested. I booked a trip to Costa Rica because I knew a farming family out there. Whether it was naivety or bravery I don’t know but the experience changed my life – I learned everything from them.

“They taught me everything in terms of farming, harvesting, fermentation, roasting and the amazing differences between beans. I still use their beans and I love working with them. I’m the only person in this country they export their beans to.”

Mr Kemp moved production from his village to RKdia to keep up demand but his handmade chocolates are still made in small batches, although there are plans to buy a tempering machine.

His quest to know everything there is to know about chocolate also took him to Madagascar in October, where he met farmers who grow and harvest cacao for the Chocolaterie Robert brand.

“It’s a very poor country but it’s also vast,” said Mr Kemp. “The terrain goes from desert to dense jungle and mountains but I found Costa Rica to be more beautiful. The people there are also happier.”

Christmas shoppers will find Jamie’s chocolates at various fayres and food events across the South, while he’s keen to get his goodies into more delis and shops next year.

And then there’s the film, which will be produced by a Southampton Solent graduate. “This friend, unlike me, actually stayed in the industry and he’s now a really good professional photographer,” said Jake.

“The film about me will be out in January.” Visit www. jkfinechocolates.co.uk