Behind the Scenes: ZoRaw Chocolate on Amazing Race Canada

The Mississauga-based healthy chocolate brand was spotlighted on CTV's flagship adventure-competition series, capping a year of expanded national retail presence and major brand recognition.

ZoRaw Chocolates, the Canadian craft chocolate brand known for its protein-fortified, no-added-sugar formulations, was featured on The Amazing Race Canada on CTV. The appearance marks a milestone moment for a company that started in a basement and has grown to more than 4,000 retail locations across the country.

Co-founded by Gigi Gill, a University of Waterloo biochemistry graduate, and her partner Tanveer, ZoRaw produces what it calls the world's first chocolates fortified with protein and fibre, with no added sugar. The brand's rapid growth has been driven by a core proposition: a genuinely indulgent chocolate that delivers nutritional value rather than empty calories.

From basement to national television

The company's path from prototype to prime-time exposure has been compressed and intentional. Gill, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in her early twenties, developed ZoRaw's original formula after a chocolate-making tour in Peru inspired her to create a product she could eat. Working with food scientists at Canadian universities and drawing on her biochemistry background, she spent more than a year refining the formula before bringing it to market.

ZoRaw products are now available at Metro, Sportchek, 7-Eleven, Longo's, Fortinos, Familiprix, Nature's Fare, and Thrifty's/Healthy Planet, in addition to direct-to-consumer sales at zorawchocolates.ca.

What the feature meant for the brand

For a small Canadian manufacturer, national television coverage carries weight beyond audience reach. The Amazing Race Canada has a longstanding tradition of spotlighting homegrown businesses, and ZoRaw's appearance positioned the brand alongside other Canadian companies the show has celebrated for grit, innovation, and execution.

Looking ahead

With production capacity now at 30,000 bars per shift in its Mississauga factory, ZoRaw continues to invest in innovation-led manufacturing using robotics and automation. The company's focus remains on the 1 in 3 Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, the audience for whom the original formula was designed. The full ZoRaw lineup is available at zorawchocolates.ca/collections/all.

FAQ

Was ZoRaw a sponsor of The Amazing Race Canada or a featured brand?

ZoRaw Chocolates appeared as a featured Canadian brand on The Amazing Race Canada on CTV. The show has a history of spotlighting homegrown Canadian businesses, and ZoRaw's story as a founder-built, Made in Canada functional chocolate was a natural fit.

Where can I watch The Amazing Race Canada?

The Amazing Race Canada airs on CTV. Current and past season information is available at ctv.ca/the-amazing-race-canada.

Who founded ZoRaw Chocolates?

ZoRaw was co-founded by Gigi Gill and Tanveer. Gill holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Waterloo and developed ZoRaw's original formula after her own type 2 diabetes diagnosis inspired her to create a chocolate with no refined sugar and real nutritional value. Read the full founder story.

Where is ZoRaw chocolate sold in Canada?

ZoRaw is available in more than 4,000 stores across Canada, including Metro, Sportchek, 7-Eleven, Longo's, Fortinos, Familiprix, Nature's Fare, and Thrifty's/Healthy Planet. Direct orders are available at zorawchocolates.ca.

What makes ZoRaw chocolate different from regular chocolate?

ZoRaw produces the world's first chocolates fortified with protein and fibre, with no added sugar and no refined sugar spike. Every bar is made with fair-trade cacao and natural ingredients, designed for health-conscious chocolate lovers including those managing blood sugar or following low-carb lifestyles. Browse the full collection.