Say it with chocolates from Lancashire
Ayni Chocolate, Barnoldswick If you have an allergy that means you can’t eat chocolate, Pru Wood is the person for you. The chocolatier, who runs Ayni Chocolate in Barnoldswick, is creating raw organic chocolates suitable for multiple allergy sufferers. Her paleo chocolate shop stocks sweet treats made with organic raw cacao from South America. All of the chocolates are nut free as well as being free from dairy, soy and grains. The chocolates are suitable for vegans and vegetarians as well as being suitable with people with coeliac disease. www.aynichocolate.co.uk
The Chocolate Café, Ramsbottom What Paul and Emma Morris haven’t done to celebrate chocolate isn’t worth mentioning. The owners of Ramsbottom’s now famous Chocolate Café live and breathe the stuff. Not only have they made the business such a success it’s a popular draw for tourists; they also established Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival in 2008 They make all of the chocolates, which are made using a blend of Columbian cocoa and British ingredients, on site and have won several awards for their efforts. Some of the most popular sweet treats are Manchester Tart flavour chocolate as well as banoffee and a pizza bar. They also have a mini chocolate factory where you can see their products being made. www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk
Choc Amor, Tarleton Being made redundant from a job in banking worked out rather well for Paul Williams of Choc Amor. He decided to indulge his passion for good food and cooking and set up a chocolate making business in Tarleton. The multi-award winning chocolatier produces handmade, small batch Belgian covertures chocolate. It is all made on-site at the Choc Amor tea rooms where you can watch Paul at work.
There are lots of flavours to choose from including peanut butter, rum and raisin and chilli and lime. The latter, along with his orange jalfrezi and Tonka bean with smoked sea salt and cocoa nib, earned him some Great Taste Awards. If you can’t get to Tarleton it is also available at the Little Chocolate Shop at Botany Bay in Chorley or at the many food events and farmers markets Paul attends. www.chocamor.co.uk
Chocolate Cottage, Grasmere It’s not just gingerbread that has a worldwide following. Richard and Angela Barker, who run Chocolate Cottage in Grasmere, have attracted customers from Dubai and Delaware eager to try their handmade chocolates. What’s more, the couple have picked up awards for best new business from the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs. After many years teaching, they decided to take a new direction and completed a series of courses to become qualified chocolatiers. They use the finest Belgian chocolate and everything is handmade on the premises. Local landmarks are also used as the inspiration for names of the chocolates including Helvellyn Hazelnut, Crummock Caramel or Buttermere Banoffee. www.chocolatecottage.co.uk
Chocolate by Josie, Southport When Josie Morris’ son got married in 2002 he asked his mum to make chocolates as favours at the wedding. There were many compliments and a few years later, after going on a chocolate making course the Southport chocolatier decided to turn her hobby into a business. The trained chemist, who started selling her handmade chocolates at farmers markets, creates a range of chocolates using the finest Belgian chocolate including some that are hand-dipped and decorated with edible transfer patterns made from cocoa butter. She also gives fascinating talks about chocolate to local community groups including the Women’s Institute.
Chocolat by Daniel Coletta Since November 2014 artisan chocolatier Daniel Coletta creates his award-winning chocolates in his chocolate emporium in Blackburn. Using natural ingredients, Daniel experiments with flavours to create an exquisite taste and look. His flavours including tarragon caramel, Bakewell tart and black forest gateau. He also creates beautiful patisserie including classics such as rhubarb and custard tart as well as Daniel’s signature billionaire’s shortbread and tart au chocolat. www.artofchocolat.co.uk
