Breaking the Mold

Rich in crazy concoctions such as candy sushi, chocolate popcorn pizza and Whimsical Fun Pops, Aunt Selma's Chocolate and Candy Company is Mount Laurel's version of Willy Wonka's famed factory. Pam Orris, owner and head chocolatier of Aunt Selma's on Larchmont Boulevard, might not look or act like the fictional chocolate innovator, but she has the creativity to match, even surpass, his talents.

"I always had that passion to create out of food," said Orris, who has been crafting artistic pieces for more than 30 years.

Her creations, several of which she copyrighted, include the cereal treats decorated in chocolate called Whimsical Fun Pops; star- and butterfly-shaped Candy Wand lollipops and pretty much any other type of chocolate combination you can imagine.

Orris produces other delights for party favors, gift baskets and cookie trays, but her most impressive items are the edible centerpieces.

"You eat with your eyes," she said while showing off one of her most unique pieces: a fully edible treasure chest complete with gumdrops, popcorn sprayed with gold luster, and chocolate coins.

The high-energy Orris has no doubt in her ability to design whatever her clients think up, whether it's for a wedding, birthday party or bar/bat mitzvah.

"I'm a truly creative person," she said.

With her enthusiasm and confidence high, Orris took her career to the next logical level: competing on a Food Network show.

"They were interested in me because if you go on my website you'll see that I build with cereal treats and popcorn and make unique centerpieces," she said. Orris is set to compete on an episode of Food Network Challengein which contestants must construct pieces out of cereal treats. A date has not yet been set for the taping.

A fan of Food Network shows, Orris is excited to display her talents on television.

"I'm not nervous at all. I think it's gonna be rather fun because I really think we can win -- I have a good structural background and background on what I do."

Orris is educated in the fields of both food and art. Her previous vocations include designing cakes, sculpting and teaching Italian cooking at night school.

Finally, she came up with a way to combine and develop her talents. "I am a trained painter and sculptor, so I turned my creativity into food products, candy especially," she said.

Since taking over Aunt Selma's about three years ago, Orris has become part of a tight-knit team of 11 candymakers, including high school students and young moms.

"Nobody works for me, everybody works with me," she said of the camaraderie among them.

Orris also enjoys working with children, especially when she can ignite their creative spark.

Aunt Selma's hosts "Kid in a Candy Store" birthday parties for kids ages 7 to 12.

Children make edible art projects based on the party's theme, including a cake for the birthday boy or girl. An everyday supermarket item such as a Twinkie can become anything from a giraffe to a pirate or princess.

"They have such pride when they do it because they've turned the ordinary into the extraordinary," Orris said. In a technology-driven world, she believes it is especially important to foster a child's imagination. "You can't have kids on video games all day long. I think we've lost touch with our creative side."

Orris, who strives to push her own creative boundaries, will be releasing a new candy cupcake at the Philadelphia Gift Show in late July.

Available in bright colors such as hot pink or lime green, the chocolate-based cupcake is made entirely out of candy, giving it a longer shelf life than a regular cupcake. Although it seems Orris already has plenty to keep her busy, she aims high for the future.

How high? She wants to make the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty out of candy. Plus, she plans to start cooking classes for kids and adults.

"I think a lot of people want to be able to create but don't know how to do it."