From Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries to Award Winner: The Story Behind Newfoundland’s Dipped Cafe

Hailey Bell
1 day ago
4 min read

Name: Ashley Forsey

Business Name: Dipped Cafe

💬 INTRODUCTION

Hi, I’m Ashley — the owner, operator, and the hands behind Dipped Café! 🍓☕. I’m a busy mom of three, building this dream while raising my kids and pouring my heart into our café.

My love for coffee and chocolate started six years ago in my little home-based kitchen. What began as chocolate-dipped strawberries quickly turned into something so much bigger. I traveled all around the peninsula doing pop-ups, trying to get my name out there and share what I created.

Then one pop-up changed everything — over 300 people showed up.

That was the moment I knew… Dipped needed a home of its own.

🔥 THE PASSION

One of my twin girls wanted chocolate-dipped strawberries for her birthday. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing — the first time was horrible. Every year she wanted them again, and every year I got better!!

🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

Building something from the ground up in my own community — creating local jobs, supporting Canadian suppliers, and keeping our dollars where they belong: right here at home.

It’s resilience, hard work, and heart — especially in a small town where community truly matters.

Most of all, it’s about showing my kids that you can dream big, work hard, and build something meaningful right where you are. 🍓☕

❤️ BUILDING THE DREAM

My biggest accomplishment is building something my kids get to witness. They’re growing up watching their mom create jobs, host community events, support fundraisers, and turn “Stay Sweet” into more than a slogan — into a culture.

That’s bigger than sales.

That’s impact. ☕

🍓 CLOSING

What’s next for us is growth. We want to continue building our brand, reaching new audiences, and expanding our clientele while staying true to what makes Dipped special.

That means connecting with more communities, strengthening our online presence, and continuing to create exciting products and experiences that keep people coming back.

We’re focused on growing bigger — while always staying rooted in quality, creativity, and community. 🍓☕

🎤 COMETS QUESTIONS — DIPPED CAFE

COMET: What was the main inspiration behind starting Dipped Cafe, and where did the idea first come from?

DIPPED CAFE: One of my twin girls wanted chocolate-dipped strawberries for her birthday. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing — the first time was horrible. Every year she wanted them again, and every year I got better!!

COMET: How do you find your creative ideas? What inspires new treats, flavours, or menu concepts?

DIPPED CAFE: My mind literally never stops!! I’m constantly thinking about new flavors and new ideas I can try next!

COMET: Can you talk about the importance of adding featured or seasonal items to the menu, and how that keeps things exciting for both you and your customers?

DIPPED CAFE: We absolutely love seasonal menus and special occasions because they give us the chance to introduce new flavors, experiment with fresh ideas, and keep things exciting for our customers. It allows us to stay creative and constantly evolve instead of staying the same year-round.

Fall is my favorite season — there’s just something special about cozy flavors, warm drinks, and comforting treats. It’s the perfect time to get creative and bring that extra magic into the café. 🍂☕🍓

COMET: What is your all-time favorite thing on the menu — one food item and one drink — and why?

DIPPED CAFE: My favorite menu item would have to be our stuffed apples, especially Skor!! It’s also a café favorite. My favorite drink would be any of our iced coffees. I may be biased, but I think we have the best iced coffee!

COMET: What’s something a customer has said to you that caught you off guard but really stuck with you?

DIPPED CAFE: Our café slogan is “Stay Sweet,” and to me, it’s about more than just coffee and chocolate — it’s about how we treat people. It’s about kindness, warmth, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome.

One customer once told me that not only does the café feel like family, but it’s their safe space. That will always stick with me. If Dipped can be somewhere people feel comfortable, supported, and at home — then we’re doing exactly what we set out to do. 🍓☕💗

🏆 Canadian Choice Awards

COMET: Being recognized by the Canadian Choice Awards is a huge milestone — what did that recognition mean to you as a business owner?

DIPPED CAFE: Winning the Canadian Choice Award means the world to us. As a small, family-run café that started in a home kitchen, being recognized on a national level is incredibly humbling. It validates the long hours, early mornings, late nights, and the heart we pour into everything we do.

More than anything, it reflects our community — because Dipped Café wouldn’t be what it is without the people who show up, support us, and believe in our dream. This award doesn’t just belong to us; it belongs to everyone who has walked through our doors, shared our posts, bought a strawberry, or simply told a friend about us.

To be recognized as a Canadian-owned, community-driven business is truly an honor. 🍓🇨🇦

COMET: How has the Canadian Choice Awards recognition impacted the way customers or the community view Dipped Cafe?

DIPPED CAFE: Winning the award has given our customers a sense of pride. They feel like they were part of the journey — because they truly were. From voting and sharing our posts to showing up day after day, this recognition belongs to them just as much as it does to us.