You will never regret indulging yourself with the delights produced by these premier Derbyshire chocolate-makers
Naughty & Nice
The name says it all – from hand-dipped truffles to chocolate ‘soup’ made with Belgian chocolate and double cream, a visit to this charming chocolate shop and café in Bakewell is every chocoholic’s dream.
Chocolates can be made to order with personalised messages and there’s also a bespoke chocolate cake service, where owner Kath Girling can create almost anything you desire.
The café-cum-bistro was awarded ‘Café of the Year’ at the Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards 2014 and offers light lunches and refreshments, all day breakfast, home made cakes and ice-cream, all in a picturesque courtyard location. 3 Kings Court, King St, Bakewell DE45 1DZ, 01629 814448, www.naughtychocolate.co.uk
Barry Colenso
During his 30 year career in the chocolate industry, Barry became the youngest-ever Head of Patisserie at the Savoy Hotel in London and worked as a Master Chocolatier at Thorntons. He has made numerous cakes for the royal family including Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the late Queen Mother and was also invited to help in the design and production of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s chocolate wedding cake in 2011.
Now a consultant to the confectionery industry, Barry works in product development and teaching, whilst also designing and producing his own delicious handmade chocolates. His creations are available online and are also included in Cocoa Boutique’s Tasting Club boxes – a monthly-changing range of chocolates chosen by different artisan chocolatiers. www.barrycolenso.co.ukHoldsworth Chocolates
Spurred on by her passion for a handmade approach to chocolate-making, Barbara Holdsworth began making chocolates to her own unique recipes in 1988. After recruiting a team of local and enthusiastic staff who trained to become expert chocolatiers, Holdsworth Chocolates took off. Now run by Barbara’s daughter Genevieve, the company’s products are stocked at fine food halls and department stores across the country and are Britain’s best-selling entirely handmade chocolates.
Chocolates are created using sweet cream butter and Belgium couverture, before liqueurs, spirits, fruit purees or praline pastes are added to create a delicious flavoured centre. Creations include over 70 truffles, pralines and creams, with tasty varieties such as English Rose Cream, Chocolate Dipped Ginger and Apricot Brandy. The Chocolate Factory, Deepdale Business Park, Ashford Road, Bakewell, DE45 1GT, 01629 813 57, www.holdsworthchocolates.co.ukBitterSweet Chocolates
Founded in 2007 in the Melbourne kitchen of owners Nigel and Diane Holling, BitterSweet is now based at the Three Horseshoes pub in Breedon on the Hill, where a Victorian-style chocolate counter at the bar is filled with firm’s exquisitely-made chocolate bars, truffles and lollipops.
All chocolates are made by hand using the finest ingredients including organic essential oils, organic cream, liqueurs, fruit and honey. Locally-sourced ingredients are used where possible and as well as traditional flavours there are some unusual combinations, such as the black olive dark chocolate slab. BitterSweet can count Great Taste awards and products endorsed by the Guild of Fine Foods amongst its impressive accolades and when owners Nigel and Diane aren’t busy making chocolates, they share their secrets at ‘Chocolate Heaven’ workshops. Main St, Breedon on the Hill DE73 8AN, 07968 163706, www.bittersweetchocolates.co.uk
Charlotte’s Chocolates
Seduced by the mouth-watering descriptions of a chocolate shop in a fictional French town in Joanne Harris’ novel Chocolat, and equally impressed by the famous Betty’s Café, Beverley Jones longed to own a chocolate shop-cum-café of her own.
Five years ago, her wish came true when she acquired Charlotte’s Chocolates in Buxton’s Cavendish Arcade. Beverley has become an accomplished maker of delicious hand-made chocolates, containing fillings of genuine spirits, often with added touches of honey or lemon. The café of Charlotte’s Chocolates extends onto a terrace with a great view of the town, and it is supplemented by another café called ‘Charlotte’s Upstairs’, sited elsewhere in the arcade. Every hot drink that is served is accompanied by a complementary handmade chocolate.
Cavendish Arcade, The Crescent, Buxton SK17 6BQ, 01298 214440, www.charlotteschocolates.comCocoaDance
After travelling the world, self-taught chocolatiers David Golubows and Bridget Joyce decided to start their own chocolate company in the Peak District village of Castleton. All chocolates are handmade to order and include fresh, local ingredients, with delights such as Marc de Champagne truffles and sticky toffee lips. The site is open for group visits and chocolate experience days only. Bookings are currently open for Easter Egg making workshops.
CocoaDance, Castleton, Hope Valley, 01433 621334, www.cocoadance.comI Should Cocoa
Husband and wife team Sid and Lisa founded I Should Cocoa in 2008, after spending two and a half years visiting some of the finest chocolate houses in France.
They returned to Belper to set up their new venture – an artisan chocolate shop and small café. All chocolates are handmade in small quantities in the studio above the shop to ensure maximum freshness.
2 Strutt St, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1UN, 01773 880181, www.i-shouldcocoa.co.ukChocolate by Design
This family-run business has established itself as a haven of handmade chocolates, unusual gifts and eye-catching cakes. Products are handmade using traditional methods and unique colouring techniques. There’s a wide range of novelty chocolates, hand-crafted truffles and bespoke designs – ideal for parties and special occasions - plus a colourful range of Easter Eggs and chocolate hens.
21 Packers Row, Chesterfield S40 1RE, 01246 234900, www.chocolate-by-design.co.uk
