Last Saturday I found myself in a little bungalow in Hurst, Berkshire, ready for the Chocolates for Chocoholics workshop* that I had been invited to try out. Chocolates for Chocoholics is a family run supplier of high quality, luxury chocolate, and gifts. Here is a little more about them in their own words –
“Our business started trading in 1986 when we decided to leave our safe, salaried jobs to follow our dreams and start importing and selling luxury chocolates from a variety of specialist chocolatiers in Europe. Like many true entrepreneurs we started our fledgling business on a shoestring budget and this taught us the importance of good cost control. In an effort to minimise wastage we try to ensure that as many of our products as possible incorporate reusable or recycable packaging and unnecessary packaging is kept to a minimum.
Our original aim was to offer good quality products, in attractive packaging, at reasonable prices and we have managed to maintain this philosophy throughout. Many of our customers come back to us every season and this is a testament to the fact that they like our products (we hope!).”
Chocolates for Chocoholics Workshop
During the Chocolates for Chocoholics workshop which lasted about two and a half hours in total, in addition to learning about the history of chocolate (that we later got tested on in a fun quiz), we got a chance to make three chocolate treats –
Truffles
At the beginning of the Chocolate for Chocoholics workshop, as we were finishing off our delicious hot chocolate drinks, the first part of the truffle making process involved rolling some truffle mixture into small balls. These were then put into the fridge to set, leaving us to get on with some other activities before the second stage could take place.
The truffles could be finished in three ways, but they each required a couple of good coatings of chocolate before either being left smooth; roughed up which involved rolling the chocolate coated balls/truffles around on the wire rack; or coated in cocoa. I chose to try all three methods as seen above.
Chocolate Lollies
These were very quick and easy to make. In the workshop there is a chocolate tap that very much works like a chocolate fountain, whereby melted chocolate is continuously available to work with. So for the chocolate lollies, a piping bag was filled and used to create two medium-sized round disks; this task involved a steady hand!
Before the chocolate had a chance to set, a lolly stick was added and we could decorate the lollies with a variety of toppings. I chose desiccated coconut, and salted caramel flakes; I like to keep flavourings simple.
Chocolate Bars
This was probably the most fun task as we got to try using the chocolate tap for ourselves!
We were each given a plastic tray consisting of three rectangular moulds, and we needed to fill the moulds with the chocolate, and scrape off the excess. The trays once filled with melted chocolate actually become really heavy so it definitely isn’t as simple as it might look.
Similar to the chocolate lollies, we had to work quickly and once our moulds were adequately filled, we decorated them before freezing.
Left to right: Hazelnut and raisin; salted caramel; popping candy and honeycomb.
Before the Chocolates for Chocoholics workshop finished (sob), we were able to package our chocolate treats in cellophane bags and tied with a choice of ribbons, or sealed with an official Chocoholics sticker before bagged up and taken home.
I honestly just had the most fun on Saturday morning at the Chocolates for Chocoholics workshop and I would without a doubt recommend these guys for all your chocolate needs; I particularly think if you have a friend or family member getting married soon you should suggest the Chocolates for Chocoholics workshop for a hen party idea! Had I not already gotten married myself, I would 100% have used them for my own wedding day.
Buying Easter Treats
Before I departed from Chocoholics HQ, I of course visited the shop because during the workshop we were given a copy of the latest spring and summer 2018 catalogue and not only did everything look delicious, it was all extremely good value too… so I naturally had to check it out for myself!
Taking away the three chocolate treats I made in the Chocoholics workshop (and the drum of honeycomb chocolates that I won in the quiz), I purchased everything else seen above in the wicker basket (blog prop) for… £14! Some of the items were in the sale but still, £14! You would almost pay that alone for one item in some well known confectionery shops found on the high street, just saying. I stocked up on some treats for myself and Ian to enjoy over the Easter weekend, and also some treats for family.
If you have a wedding or a special occasion coming up where you need to buy some chocolate gifts in bulk? Chocolates for Chocoholics are your people.
Are you a self-confessed chocoholic?
Until next time x
*I was invited to attend a Chocolates for Chocoholics workshop in exchange for a review. All opinions are honest and my own.
