One word. Chocolate - and that is exactly what this week is all about. Chocolate Week has got to be our favourite themed week and we want to celebrate it as best we can. We’ve done a little research and sniffed out the best chocolatey events around so you can be sure to satisfy that sweet tooth and indulge in as much chocolate as you like.
Chocolate Unwrapped
Chocolate Unwrapped is the official Chocolate Week consumer show, held on the weekend of the 15th and 16th October. Make your way to London Bridge where the fair will take place at Vinopolis and expect to see some of the biggest names in the chocolate industry. Check out the chocolate art, chat to the chocolatiers and taste the very best chocolate. www.chocolateunwrapped.co.uk
Divine Chocolate events
Divine Chocolate is the major sponsor of Chocolate Week and will be hosting a number of events across the country.
The Grand Imperial at The Grosvenor Hotel in London will be serving chocolate dim sum on its afternoon tea menu. Meanwhile, The Orangery at Kensington Palace will be hosting Divine Chocolate Afternoon Tea.
Look out for the first ever Chocolate Board at London’s Gore Hotel. A tempting alternative to a cheese board, the chocolate board combines Divine chocolate with Divine ice-cream, Divine chocolate truffles and fresh berries.
At the four star deluxe hotel The Lancaster London, tuck into a special Chocolate Week dessert, created using Divine dark chocolate and honey made by the hotel’s own bees.
Exclusive cocktails inspired by and using Divine will be on offer at the chic Sanderson Hotel in London’s West End, including the deliciously tempting Divinitini made with Divine Milk Chocolate, Grand Marnier, Crème de Cacao and vodka.
You can also knock back Divine cocktails all week in the bar at K West Hotel in London, including Strawberry Delight made with Divine’s White & Strawberry Chocolate, Smirnoff vodka and crème de fraise.
The newly re-opened Boyd’s Brasserie just off Trafalgar Square will also be serving cocktails made using Divine’s acclaimed dark chocolate.
The award-winning Kingham Plough in the heart of The Cotswolds has developed a Divine Chocolate and Salted Caramel Millionaires Shortbread, while the Healthy Life Bistro in Devizes, Wiltshire will be serving a Mayan Spiced Chocolate Cake, combining chocolate, orange zest, mace and clove.
Widemouth Manor Hotel in Bude, Cornwall, is, hosting Divine Fondue Nights, a Divine truffle-making workshop, and Divine afternoon tea. Other events in Cornwall include Divine treats at The Cowslip Tearoom in Launceston and The Rectory Tearoom in Morwenstow and Divine desserts at The Wellington Hotel in Boscastle.
Divine will be hosting a number of tasting sessions in cafes and stores across the country, including Liberty department store in London, Kennards Deli in Bloomsbury, Wholefoods Market in Camden. For more details, visit www.divinechocolate.com/chocolateweek.
Chocolate hotel breaks
The Mercure ‘Cocoa-cation’ is an irresistible and indulgent chocolate experience on offer from Mercure Hotels across the UK. Treatments include a choice of pampering chocotherapy spa treatment, indulgent choctail and a delectable dining experience rounded off with a chocolate twist. Prices start at £133 and the offer expires on 31st October. For more details visit mercure.com
Demarquette Fine Chocolates
Demarquette Fine Chocolates will be offering a 25 per cent online discount for the duration of Chocolate Week. Use discount code ‘Chocweek’ on www.demarquette.com (available from 10th – 16th October).
On Wednesday 12th October you’ll be given the chance to meet Master Chocolatier Marc Demarquette at the launch of Harrods Bespoke Tea & Chocolate range.
Thornton’s
Thornton’s will be adding a little chocolate week cheer by handing out chocolate smiles to everyone who visits their stores during Chocolate Week.
The Great Chocolate Cake Off
On Sunday 16th October, up to 30 home bakers will present their interpretation of the ultimate chocolate cake on and face an expert judging panel including Paul A Young, Will Torrent and Chantal Coady.
Seventypercent
Serious chocophiles, Seventypercent, will be holding a panel discussion including tastings at Waterstone’s Piccadilly on Thursday 13th October on the topic, ‘The Cocoa Time Bomb: Is Time Running Out for Chocolate?’.
And more…
Check out the exclusive chocolate desserts at The Ivy restaurant and at Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social.
Images © Divine Chocolate
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