MHF Confectionery CC was established in February 2002. Business partners and first cousins
Andrea Joannou and Chris Constantinou lovingly manufacture their product, branded ‘Yotti’s Turkish Delight”
in this family run business. The secret to their creations lie in a traditional Turkish Recipe, which originates
from the city of Afyon, “a city famous for its specific Turkish delight”.

Each product is known for its unquestionable handmade quality and delicate flavour. Due to
today’s health issues, Yotti’s has recently researched and developed a new Low GI Turkish Delight,
ideal for diabetics. They have also just launched two new hot flavours, namely Blackcurrant and Cherry.
The products are also preservative free, vegetarian, Kosher and Halaal.

Background and Expansion of Company:

Chris and Andrea:

Both Chris and Andrea studied marketing. Andrea then opened her own coffee shop,
before venturing into corporate catering. In 2000, she went to London to open her own
Greek Restaurant. Since returning to SA, Andrea joined up with Chris and saw a gap in the market
that had great potential. With their knowledge and heritage (Greek), they wanted to bring an original
Mediterranean taste to South Africa and together have built MHF Confectionery into the viable company
it is today.

Since its inception in Wynberg, Johannesburg, the company has grown immensely. Yotti’s Turkish Delight
is flying out the door and is so popular that the company is looking at expanding their factory space.
MHF Confectionery CC originally employed 2 ladies and has steadily employed more as the company
has grown, which has resulted in 21 ladies being currently employed. Both Andrea and Chris value the
upliftment and empowerment of the local community. They aim to continue increasing their workforce
using the unemployed people living in Alexandra Township and to teach their employees new skills to
make them viable members of their community.

MHF Confectionery CC is run with creativity in mind. This can be seen in both the manufacture of the Turkish Delight flavours and the packaging. New ideas are always being discussed and implanted. Since venturing into the Low GI market, the response has been overwhelming and Andrea and Chris have expanded this range to include 4 new flavours.

History of Turkish Delight:

The production of “Lokum”, or as we know it, “Turkish Delight”, began in the 17th Century within the borders of the Ottoman Empire. Originally it was a delicacy available only to royalty, but its popularity soared in a very short time and soon thereafter the Palace permitted it to be commercially produced.

An English sailor brought Turkish Delight to Europe for the first time in the 18th Century. It was accepted by the Europeans and became popular worldwide shortly thereafter.

This recipe is now manufactured by MHF Confectionery CC in South Africa. It is a delicacy to be enjoyed by all.

Distribution

MHF Confectionery CC has agents in Gauteng, Northern Province, Mpumalanga, KZN and the Cape. Theses agents call on Dis-Chem, Spar, Trade Centre, various Gift Shops, Convenience Stores, Restaurants and Deli’s.

Promotions and Shows

Yotti’s Turkish Delight is exhibited at various shows throughout the year. Food Shows and In-Store promotions are the best form of advertising, as their potential consumers are given the opportunity to taste the product and decide for themselves whether the product is as tantalising to their taste buds as it is to Andrea’s and Chris’. MHF Confectionery has exhibited and is looking forward to exhibit at the following shows:
Hostex (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg)
Rand Easter Show
Lusito Land Festival
Royal Show (Pietermartizburg)
The Sunday Times BBC Food Show (Johannesburg)
The Pretoria Show (Pretoria)
The Bloemfontein Christmas Show
The Roodeport Christmas Show
The Pretoria Christmas Show
The Rustenberg Christmas Show
SARCDA
The Good Food and Wine Show (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban)

Yotti’s Turkish Delight has appeared in the Food Section of The Beeld Newspaper as well as on the front page of Verves, (The Star Newspaper) in the Angel Day’s Food Section, where one of the features highlighted was the delightful tin package, which was chosen as the “The Best Gift Of Food”. Wonderfully Wyckedd Food by Rolf and Emma Cyrus – 2007, quoted MHF Confectionery as “A business that hangs its hat on good service, so good in fact that they will gladly manufacture and package their confections to suit your personal needs.”

Channel O and Peter James Smith from SAfm have also interviewed MHF Confectionery. They have been featured in many magazines which include; ‘Food and Home-August 2007’, ‘Top Billing-June 2007’ and ‘Diabetes Focus – Summer 2007’.

Aims

Andrea and Chris firmly believe that satisfying their customers is a pleasure, not an obligation. They are always happy to go that extra mile.

Yotti’s Turkish Delight has been described as “a treat fit for the Gods”, this is what Andrea and Chris strive to maintain.