Salomon Kalou really hit the jackpot during his time at Chelsea, snagging the Champions League, Premier League, the League Cup, and four FA Cups. Now, this former striker is diving into the chocolate business.
You know, the Ivorian managed to score 60 goals across six seasons at Stamford Bridge, right in the thick of the trophy-filled Roman Abramovich era. He wrapped up his Chelsea career on a high note by lifting the European Cup after that nail-biting win over Bayern Munich in 2012 — it was at their home stadium, too! Instead of following the path of punditry or coaching, like his old buddies Frank Lampard and John Terry, Kalou is aiming to make a name for himself in the sweet world of confectionery. His brand? It’s called Oume, named after his hometown. Kalou's really passionate about showcasing the significance of his roots in the chocolate industry. Did you know the Ivory Coast is responsible for 45 percent of the world's cocoa? That’s the essential ingredient for chocolate!
"My uncle had a cocoa farm," Kalou shared with The Telegraph. "I grew up around it, helping out between school and on weekends." He added, "Honestly, I don’t remember eating chocolate as a kid. I had no idea what it was. It’s pricey—more like a luxury for those who can afford it." Kalou pointed out that many people don’t realize that what’s produced on their farms is actually for chocolate. "We contribute a huge chunk of that production. And hey, we’ve got some amazing footballers too." He made an interesting comparison: "A product can come from the Ivory Coast and go worldwide. Just like a footballer from Oume can end up at Chelsea and win the Champions League—talk about going global!" Kalou's vision for Oume is to position it as a luxury brand. He hopes to branch out into other products and dreams of seeing his chocolates in some of the UK’s top shops. "One day, I'd love to see Oume on the shelves of Waitrose, Selfridges, or even Harrods. That would be such a proud moment," he said. But it’s not all smooth sailing. The chocolate market is tough, especially with cocoa prices soaring due to harsh weather and a lack of investment. Kalou, who also had stints at Lille, Hertha Berlin, and Feyenoord, won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015. He’s got quite the record too, standing just behind Didier Drogba with 24 goals for his country. Quite a journey, huh?
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