Two things that most of us will agree on are a love of theatre and chocolate. So I squealed with joy when I was invited on a choctastic day out with my pal Rebecca Felgate from Official Theatre for an afternoon of chocolate making, followed by a performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
We were taken on a two hour tour at Hotel Chocolat, learning the noble art of chocolate making in their ‘Bean to Bar’ Experience. Our chocolatier showed us how to roast and conch cocoa and guided us through the process of making our own bar of chocolate to take away with us! It was hard work, grinding down cocoa beans with a pestle and mortar until it actually turned into liquid (who would have thought that could happen?) but it was a fantastic experience and the staff were delightful (always ensuring my prosecco glass was topped up!)
Hotel Chocolat also offer creative Children’s Chocolate Workshops, with chocolate decorating and a fun and educational introduction to cocoa and chocolate. What a perfect treat to take the kids on over the easter holidays and then treat them to seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the theatre too!
If you’ve not seen the show already, it is ROALD DAHL‘s deliciously dark tale of young Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes. When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s the chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets he’s always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors and amongst the incredible edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.
A huge thank you to our lovely hosts at Hotel Chocolat (my bar didn’t even turn out as bad as I thought!) for an entertaining and informative afternoon learning all about how to make chocolate and to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for having us in to see the show.
Book your chocolate making experience at Hotel Chocolat here
Book tickets to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory here
