The Story Behind the True Willy Wonka: The Master Who Broke the Rules of Chocolate

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Many people think that Johnny Depp played the best Willy Wonka ever seen on the big screen. Some even argue that he’s the top pick, surpassing the iconic Gene Wilder. However, no matter how talented both actors were in their portrayals of the chocolatier in the 1971 classic and the modern adaptation from the early 2000s, they can’t hold a candle to the real-life inspiration behind the character. 

The story of Wonka, now making a return to cinemas with filmmaker Paul King and young actor Timothée Chalamet at the helm, is rooted in reality. While there might not have been someone with the eccentric appearance of the Mad Hatter, there was indeed a master chocolatier responsible for creating one of the world’s most famous chocolate bars.

Wonka’s Real Story

Brian Sollitt –a name less fancy than those in the stories– was born in 1938 in the city of York, up in northeast England. At just 15, he started working at the Rowntree factory (KitKat), where chocolates were carefully crafted by hand for Black Magic boxes. But Brian’s remarkable talents didn’t go unnoticed, and he quickly moved up the ranks, taking on a challenging task: creating a bitter chocolate tablet with a minty filling. 

Brian was passionate about his work, and he devoted 53 years to the same factory. During his time there, he played a crucial role in developing iconic brands like Yorkie, Matchmakers, Drifter, and Lion Bar. In fact, his impact on what Rowntree is today can’t be overstated. The current owner, Alex Hutchinson, admitted to The Independent that Sollitt had an ‘immeasurable’ impact on the world of chocolate. 

“It’s easy to forget that the candies we buy in stores today are the very creations that Brian carefully handcrafted during the early stages of their development. He spent months –sometimes even years– fussing over the technical details of his treats,” Hutchinson declared. 

A Sweet Life

Brian Sollitt not only fulfilled the childhood dream of being surrounded by sweet treats but also of working with chocolate –a luxury he missed out on during his own childhood due to wartime rationing. Many admirers of his work draw parallels between the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s world and the recognition he received as a master chocolatier, as reported by The Guardian. 

It’s worth noting that this confectionery brand, which emerged in the 1970s, initially catered to the upper crust, giving its creations an added layer of prestige. Brian Sollitt’s real breakthrough in the world of sweets was his ability to create a mint filling that wouldn’t break the delicate chocolate shell. 

He achieved this feat in 1962 with the After Eight chocolate mints. His success, steadfast dedication, and passion for elevating sweets to the extraordinary earned him the nickname ‘the real Willy Wonka’ among his peers. 

However, in 1988, the Rowntree factory changed hands, falling under the ownership of Nestlé. After more than half a century of dedicated service to the company, Brian Sollitt retired in 2006. He spent his later years away from his beloved craft until his passing in 2013, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the world of chocolate. 

Original article in Spanish by Sandra Escobar for LOS40.