Saturday was certainly a dreamy affair for this chocolate-loving family as we rendez-vous(ed) in Harrogate for a tantalising workshop at new chocolatiers ‘Harrogate Chocolate Tree’- and proceeded to spend the most delicious two hours of our lives creating delicious chocolate treats together.
For the purposes of this review (and our tummies) we gallantly (!) tasted, decorated and basked in all things cocoa and it was utterly FABULOUS!
One tasty haven of a shop on Commerical Street, ‘Harrogate Chocolate Tree’ welcomes all ages into store, with husband and wife duo Julie and Mark’s passion for top-notch quality chocolate evident in their exquisitely hand crafted range of no less than 50 different chocolates on site.
The rum, passion and mango truffles are exceptional. One is definitely not enough!
Mesmerising moorish chocolate at every turn…
…From bespoke wedding favours to classic pieces (hand sculpted unique eggs too of course as Easter is on its way) and specialist bars to meet everyone’s taste from white to milk and dark, I could have spent all day browsing and eating-but there were chocolate leaves and pizzas to be made and kids desperate for a taste.
One more quick look before we get crafting…
Mark is not just a dab-hand chocolatier and connoisseur but he’s also super with little people too: patient, kind, engaging, he opened up his tantalising world of chocolate to us, carefully pouring shiny chocolate into moulds, his passion was contagious as the kids tried different flavours of chocolate and toppings and created their own bespoke beauties.
Educational, fun, delicious, there’s no better nor pleasurable bonding session to be had with kids.
First up they made Easter chocolate lollies:
Then it was on to luscious leaves:
Decorated with raisins, apricots, freeze dried raspberries and chopped apricots. You want to get fruit down your kids-simply add chocolate 😉
And candied orange!
The mint buttons were a delight too. So delicious, they featured in my dream last night. You know you LOVE chocolate when you dream about it, right?!
Then it was time to dip kebab sticks full of marshmallows into chocolate and douse in sprinkles! Fluffy clouds of marshmallows left to dry in a chocolate covering with the added bit of hundreds and thousands!
These were the boys’ creations. Stunning huh?!
Then the best for last, our boys’ favourites: chocolate pizzas!
Selecting toppings from a plate of treats they decorated melted chocolate rounds which were left to set….
Patiently waiting for their pizzas, they decorated the pizza boxes as Mark and Julie had thoughts of everything-arts and crafts meetings chocolate making is simply genius!
And a quick refuel of their creations of course to end after all that work!
And some treats for mum and dad too (win)!
The salted caramel and mango truffles are utter triumphs-Peter bought several boxes just in case we run out any time soon!
After the workshop, Julie who remains front of house while Michael crafts and creates in his kitchen out back, helped me select the perfect presents for friends, packing the pieces up beautifully, ready to be sent.
Despite they couple kindly gifting us the session and lots of tasty treats to take home too, I wanted to support the shop and bought some gifts too. With an online shop launching soon, it will be easier than ever to order. In the meanwhile call them up and get shopping!
There is nothing more wonderful than being able to support small businesses through this blog and local ones at that too.
The care and consideration of the founders coupled with the mouthwatering chocolate and seriously brilliant workshops is clearly a recipe for success for Harrogate Chocolate Tree.
We cannot wait to return again soon and are savouring every bite of our Chocolate Tree chocolate stash back home.
Now for the exciting bit- one lucky reader has the chance to taste Harrogate Chocolate Tree’s fine chocolate for themselves. To win this tremendous Trio of Chocolate Easter Egg worth £20, simply enter via Rafflecopter below.
Details of this magnificent Easter Egg:
20cm 1/3 dark chocolate (70% cocoa), 1/3 milk chocolate (35%) and 1/3 White.
UK only
Ends 20th March 2016.
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