Celebrating Chocolate

The 8^th October 2012 is a date that has been etched in my mind all year. Why? Because it is the start of National Chocolate Week, of course.
If you ever needed an excuse to indulge in some creamy cocoa goodness, this has to be it.

Chocolate Week offers industry experts the chance to recognise and reward the work of our top chocolatiers and you’ll find a wonderful array of offers and events available throughout the whole week including chocolate making workshops, cacao cuisine themed supper clubs and the debut of some extra special signature cocktails at London’s top restaurants.

All details on these special events and offers can be found at www.chocolateweek.co.uk

I intend to take full advantage (in Diabetic moderation of course) and have been searching for some excellent chocolatey treats, ideal for you to surprise a friend or loved one, or to perhaps just indulge yourself. Here are my top finds:

3. Chocolate Pizza:

Exhausted the menu of your local pizza delivery company or looking for a quirky way to say ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Thank You’? Why not dial The Gourmet Chocolate Pizza company and place your order for a 12” Heavenly Honeycomb or Crunchy Munchy?

Set on a base of Belgian chocolate with a yummy slim trim crust, you can choose either a 7”, 10” or 12” pizza which comes authentically presented in a cardboard pizza style box.

There are a number of toppings to choose from and if none of the menu items quite hit the spot, they will also gladly take bespoke orders too.

For a special occasion, try the strawberry and champagne pizza, which is made with freeze dried strawberries and popping candy, topped with edible glitter and strawberry chocolate.
Or for something a little more daring, the chilli chocolate pizza offers a base infused with chilli extract and is topped with dried chilli flakes, mango and chilli jellybeans and dark chocolate curls.

www.gourmetchocolatepizza.co.uk

2. Montezuma Jar Bars:

Montezuma’s are all about innovative British chocolate. Made in their West Sussex factory, they now have 5 shops across the South; Spitalfields, Kingston, Winchester, Chichester and Brighton.

For a different kind of team-building or corporate event, you can hire one of the shops for an evening of tasting & learning. A bargain at just £5 per head with a special 10% discount offered on products purchased.

I also love the Jar Bar. A perfect present idea from a simple concept. Choose something from their range of chocolates and they will have this presented in a glass jar tied up with ribbon. With traditional flavours alongside more unusual concepts such as chilli and lime, spotted dick and lime with seasalt, you are guaranteed to find that unique gift you’ve been searching for.

www.montezumas.co.uk

1. MyChocolate Chocolate Making Day:

Held in their 1950’s inspired kitchen in London, the MyChocolate experience is an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Ash actually treated me to this a couple of years ago and we had a super time.

The classes look to have changed a little since we went but the Green & Black’s workshop has caught my eye!

This 3 hour workshop begins with cocktail blending and offers you the chance to make your own milk chocolate martini. Yum. Taste exquisite chocolates from around the world, infuse, pipe, dip and decorate fresh vanilla truffles. Shape, cut and decorate gooey American style fudge, pair dessert wines with fruit infused truffles, experiment with more unusual flavourings such as chilli, fig & rose and package your chocolates in ribbon tied bags to take home.

In addition to all this, enjoy unlimited bubbly throughout!

At £80 per person, I personally think this makes a really memorable gift and would highly recommend it. MyChocolate also runs classes in Manchester and Brighton or can offer a mobile service to a venue of your choice.

There is also a really fun looking Hen party class, a nice alternative to the pole dancing and stripper-grams!

www.mychocolate.co.uk