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.
Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio
My debut book is my guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home and offers insight into how to create a digital business or return to work with confidence.
Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(UK 2nd Edition)
Available on Amazon or Audible
The Working Mom: Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(US/Canada Edition)
Available September 8th 2020. Order now on Amazon
I am a chocoholic
because I love chocolate
I would love to win as I spend Easter buying eggs for everyone else but never have any myself!
Truthfully I have never experienced excuisite chocolate and would love to
This looks a lot classier than most easter eggs we are used to seeing (and eating) every year
Because I Love Chocolate! 🙂
sit in front of telly with lovely chocolate
Looks nice to take in for the night shift.
Would love to share with my big family x
I love chocolate and am always looking for something different to try.
Because I love chocolate!
I would love to win these for my niece and step daughters (who have just moved over from the US)
would love to share this with the kids x
I would use this Easter egg, in my Easter egg hunt! for one of the luck children to find x
the workshop looks great – seems like you had a fab day! I’d love to win because the quality of this chocolate seems really good. x
My boys would love a treat!
I just love chocolate – would share with my daughter and husband
I love chocolate but I have been really working hard to lose a fair bit of weight lately and I am ready for a treat at Easter.
I’d love to win to treat my nieces!
Just because I love chocolate!
Redundant, need cheering up
This would be a special treat for me after dieting for so long!
Because I love chocolate
because who wouldn’t!
I want to win to share with my daughter
Who doesnt like quality chocolate and treats? Looks fab I would share with my gorgeous 3 girls
I want to win it for my mum she’s been so poorly this would cheer her up .
Gosh, who wouldn’t want to win after looking at those fab pics with chocolate treats? Looks like the boys had fun!
looks delicious nomnom
would love to share with my family
I’m a chocoholic! I eat it every day. But would love to try some luxury chocolate!! It sounds delicious!!!
Because I love chocolate and this looks divine
These are THE most incredibly looking chocolates I have ever seen in my entire life! Just looking at all of these stunning photos makes me feel as if I’ve entered Aladdin’s Cave. I imagine the smell is utterly divine too. Workshops are such a good idea – though I suspect I may eat it all before I’ve actually finished making anything. #noselfrestraint
Haha this was basically what I did, it was the BEST day and simply glorious chocolates-the whole experience was divine! Come up North and I’ll take you! x
Because I love choclate and won’t have to buy my own egg this uear
Because I love chocolate!
I would love to win this for my son
because it is chocolate! lol
I would love to be able to spoil my family this easter
because no one ever buys me a easter egg 🙁
Because it would be so much fun! 🙂
It’s chocolate – why would I not want to win? 🙂
I’d love an easter treat this year, I never get one!
We love chocolate! I love to try different brands I have not tried before.
I’d love to win this for my kids.
I want to win as would make a nice present for the GF
Love chocolate
Would love to win for my mum for after lent!
What a great prize, the best thing about Easter is the chocolate – I cant wait!
I would love to win an elegant egg for me would be fab!
Would love to win to share with the family for a luxurious Easter treat