Graceville chocolatier Gerrard Gosens has marked World Chocolate Day in Brisbane through handmade Belgian chocolate, sensory skill and a sporting career across three Paralympic Games.
Graceville Chocolatier Marks World Chocolate Day
Graceville chocolatier Gerrard Gosens has marked World Chocolate Day in Brisbane through handmade Belgian chocolate, sensory skill and a sporting career across three Paralympic Games.
Gosens, who was born blind, is the chocolatier behind Chocolate Moments and co-owns Graceville Moments Cafe & Catering with his wife, Heather Gosens. The Graceville venue at 8 Bank Road operates as a sister café and chocolaterie connected to the original Chocolate Moments brand.
The café offers a seasonal dine-in menu, specialty coffee and handmade chocolates. Its hospitality focus includes sensory-rich and inclusive experiences, with the chocolate-making side of the business shaped strongly by taste and smell.
Chocolate Moments Expands To Graceville
Chocolate Moments has been operating for almost two decades and produces handmade Belgian chocolates. The business also has a Brisbane CBD presence on Albert Street, near the City Botanic Gardens.
The chocolates use ingredients including cream from Maleny, ginger from Buderim and liqueurs from Stanthorpe. Gosens works with ganaches and chocolate tempering, using flavour and aroma to guide the process.
That approach also applies to recipe adjustments. Gosens has described how ingredients can change through the season, with fruit strength affecting how much may be needed in a recipe.
Chocolate Moments was developed by Gerrard and Heather Gosens before the business expanded into the Graceville café and catering operation.
Sport Led To A Taste For Chocolate
Gosens’ path into chocolate followed years of international competition. He represented Australia in athletics at three Paralympic Games before later moving into triathlon after injury.
He competed in paratriathlon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and has also taken on marathon swimming, including the English Channel and the Manhattan Island swim. His more recent sporting focus has included indoor rock climbing and para climbing, with a goal of pursuing the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Chocolate became part of his routine while travelling overseas for sport. It was a practical gift to bring home for supporters, guides and others involved in his competitions. Through those trips, he developed a wider awareness of differences between European, UK and US chocolate.
Brisbane 2032 Adds A Local Thread
Gosens has also spoken about para-sport opportunities for younger athletes as Brisbane prepares for the 2032 Games.
His career has included athletics, triathlon, marathon swimming, climbing, advocacy, public speaking and hospitality. He received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012 for service to sport and to people who are blind or have low vision.
He has also flagged plans for a chocolate gold medal, tooled in Belgium, for use in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 and for occasions including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
For the Graceville business, the World Chocolate Day story links a local café and chocolaterie with a broader career built across sport, endurance events and handmade chocolate.
Published 8-July-2026
