chocwork

An Alternative to Easter Eggs

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:56:28 GMT

Three Generations enjoy making their own Easter Creations

Easter is now synonymous with Chocolate and sometimes you can feel overrun by delicious eggs. Recently the price of chocolate has sky rocketed and so Easter eggs appear to be very costly. A great solution was found by a lovely family who organised a three generational chocolate making workshop.

From 6 to 60 everyone made some fabulous chocolates and enjoyed being together for the afternoon, it was a great alternative to chocolate eggs and meant some quality time spent together on what otherwise would have been a wet afternoon in spring.

Families often live so far apart these days and any excuse to do something positive and creative together has got to be a bonus, especially if some of the chocolates were beautifully hand crafted.

Aunt and Niece and Nephew shared jokes and compared results, whilst Mother, Son and Daughter-in-law marvelled at the creativity to the children (and grandchildren) what a fabulous way to celebrate being together and enjoy some different Easter treats.

Our chocolate workshop are wonderful for multi-generational experiences, sharing time and laughter together, if you need an excuse to get together, Chocolate workshops from Chocwork are the ideal solution, especially when it does nothing but rain!

Another Special Wedding Anniversary Gift

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 17:56:27 GMT

Chocoholics share special afternoon

One of the pleasures of running chocolate workshops (and there are many!) is meeting our fabulous clients. For a start they are usually celebrating something be it a Birthday, forthcoming wedding, simply being together, receiving a “gift” for Christmas or Easter, or like a recent couple, were marking their wedding anniversary, so clients are happy and looking to have a fabulous time.

Our very special couple were real chocoholics and wanting to try their hands at making their own chocolates. Having researched several experiences they were keen to get involved, rather than simply watch a demonstration, or make just chocolate bars. They also wanted to have an exclusive event rather than share their afternoon by being matched up with another pair. So much so, that they asked if they could make double quantities of chocolates and pay for all 4 places.

Of course we are always flexible and pride ourselves in making every experience unique, so we set our minds to offering some different aspects for their workshop. We added some more luxurious, items dried fruit, infused fruit and nuts and they also used some moulds to see how real chocolatiers operate.

We have a dog at Chocwork HQ and we check with all clients before they book what they think about a dog in the property. Not everyone feels comfortable having a dog around (however friendly they might be) Having reassured ourselves that Rufus would be no trouble we underestimated just how dog friendly our couple would be. Whilst he was crated (his happy place) throughout the afternoon he enjoyed a fuss and cuddle after the workshop. They also brought along some treats so Rufus enjoyed their visit as much as our couple did.

And the letter and gifts that arrived 2 days after the workshop show just how much they appreciated their time with us.

If you would like to experience a little Chocwork magic, do contact us on admin@chocwork.co.uk 07557762595

Year 4 School Workshop

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 17:56:26 GMT

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

We were delighted to be invited to run a chocolate workshop for a Year 4 class who had been studying Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the journey of the Cocoa Bean to a Chocolate Bar.

The class were super excited for a morning of fun and education which started with an explanation of how the Chocolate Callets were prepared in The MeltinChoc and a briefing on Branding and Marketing, before they were split into groups to design their own chocolate wrappers, weigh and pack ingredients and (the most exciting part of all) to make their own lollipops and dip some marshmallows. As it was just before Easter, some of the marshmallows were shaped like cute chicks.

We always make adjustments for Vegetarian, Vegan and Special Diets so everyone was able to take part in the dipping.

After break and whilst the chocolate dried came the History of Chocolate, reinforcing what they had already researched and learnt about Cocoa production and then more excitement with chocolate tasting!

Year 4 then went back to the workshop area, where they package all their goodies.We had such a delightful morning with these lovely students and hope to visit other schools soon for more chocolate fun.

After the workshop we received the following testimonial from the Year 4 Teacher

Testimonial: Anne and Caroline ran an excellent workshop where the class got hands-on experience working with chocolate and making chocolate lollies. This was followed by an informative and engaging session on the history of chocolate. The chocolate tasting was a highlight for the class! The workshop was thoroughly enjoyed by children and staff and it was the talk of the school afterwards!

Kind regards

Robin

Should any year 4 (or above) staff wish to be put in touch with Robin for further details, please contact us via our website and we will forward your details to him.

Per Tutti, Berkhamsted, helps a special girl celebrate with chocolate

Wed, 03 May 2023 09:58:57 GMT

Chocolate Party fun followed by pizza!

We were thrilled to run a workshop at Per Tutti in Berkhamsted for a special 8 year old. There were 11 party goers in all and we wanted to be sure that they had a great experience whilst being certain that everyone could manage the piping and dipping. We have to say they were amazing.

One young lady whispered quietly “I have never done anything like this before” and we said gently “It’s great you can learn to do something new and we are here to help everyone”

The beauty of being not only great friends but co-owners and workers, is that Caroline and Anne are always on hand to guide little hands, when they are uncertain about a new experience.

The biggest accolade came from the Birthday girl herself who confided that this was “the best Birthday ever” We asked everyone at the end of the workshop, as they tucked into delicious pizza and they chorused they would give us a “5 Star" review.

Checking in with Mum the next day she wrote “Everyone loved it, kids really enjoyed and parents commented on how delicious the chocolate was! I think you might have gained few customers as well”

And when we asked if there was anything we could do differently she said “You have great business and I would not change a thing!”

These were the youngest participants we have welcomed to The Melting Pots and are looking forward to more Chocolate fun in the future.

Wedding Anniversary Celebrations

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 17:09:14 GMT

Laughter, friendship and making memories

Our chocolate making workshops are individual to the participants, our most recent workshop consisted of 7 people celebrating a 20 ^th Wedding Anniversary. Every 5 years they get together to reminisce, usually at a restaurant, to relive the happy couple’s day, laugh and to enjoy one another’s company.

This year they wanted to do something different and asked us to host. As 2 of their number had special dietary needs (something that Anne understands only too well being Coeliac!) we wanted to be sure the workshop was inclusive to all. So all our fillings were suitable to those particular needs.

They all came determined to have a great time and there was such laughter and a real buzz in the air and they were keen to learn about cocoa production as well and they enjoyed learning how a bean becomes a chocolate bar.

Caroline devised a wonderful “Mr and Mrs” Quiz, the happy couple got almost all of their questions right! Illustrating that theirs is definitely a great relationship. Along with chocolate making, the lollipops they created represented champagne glasses, tiered wedding cakes and bouquets, they certainly developed good piping skills!

The Bride Groom, who had previously attended one of our workshops, remarked “Anne and Caroline really do try to make each workshop individual and this one felt very different to the last. From the heart shaped plates, wedding table décor and specially designed quiz we had another great experience with Chocwork”

For our part, we love hosting workshops. People come and have an amazing time, celebrate and enjoy much laughter and create great memories, you could hardly consider this work as it brings us joy when people having a really good time.

Behind the scenes

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 09:15:00 GMT

Clear up and start to prepare again

Every good host knows that things don't finish as your guests go home. So following every great Chocolate Making Workshop, we clean up and start afresh for the next event.

Chocolate making can be a very messy business, so we make sure our participants are covered up and once the sun and fresh air has dried all the aprons, they are ironed and put away pressed and ready for our next Chocolate making event.

Standards are important at Chocwork and Hygiene is paramount. That's why we requested a visit from the Food Safety Inspectors before we opened the business, this ensured we met all regulations for out participants ahead of our first workshops.

At Chocwork we take your safety seriously and want you to feel comfortable when you attend one of our Chocolate Making Workshops.

First Chocolate Making Workshop

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 06:00:01 GMT

Family Fun with a Harry Potter Theme

Chocwork's first Chocolate Making Workshop was a great success. Our guests ranged from aged 10 to 50+ and were celebrating three recent Birthday's. They were huge Harry Potter fans and so we naturally themed their workshop around the books and films of J K Rowlings, Harry Potter.

There was a specially designed quiz (boy did they know their stuff!) Props for photo opportunities and even their chocolate lollipops reflected their knowledge of Harry Potter, which included a Sorting Hat, Golden Snitch and some of the Hogwarts House symbols.

It was a warm day and for their comfort and to ensure the chocolate tempered, we provided an Air Conditioning Unit.

We will always want feedback from our workshops, we asked and they said.

A younger participant "I haven't had this much fun for quite a while and I thought it was perfect"

The organisers "Everything was perfect" and "Everything was excellent"

And of course we asked should anything have been different? "Harry Potter music in the background" Good point!

We feel we nailed our first Chocolate Making Workshop and are looking forward to the next which is for Adults, 2 are Vegan and they are celebrating a wedding anniversary.

If you want to celebrate a notable event Birthday, Hen Party or Anniversary do contact us to discuss how we can help you.

Dacorum's Den Award

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 08:39:09 GMT

Successful pitch, helps purchase new Meltinchoc

Chocwork, were invited to pitch to Dacorum's Den and were shortlisted to present their growth initiative to the "Dragons" who included sponsors from local companies and our MP Sir Mike Penning. Nerve racking as it was to present our still (relatively new business) of chocolate making workshops, we were thrilled to hear we had been award a grant which helped purchase a second larger Meltinchoc, Melting Pot, which is the latest technology in Table Top Tempering Machines. At the presentation ceremony, Sir Mike Penning stated that the panel were supporting our application as we can now reach larger numbers of (in particular young people) such as Girlguiding and the Scouts.

This has already paid dividends as we now have chocolate making workshops scheduled for September and October for local Explorer Scout groups. We are thinking that the October ones will particularly lend themselves to a Halloween theme!

Contact us via the website to learn more about Chocolate making workshops in Dacorum and the surrounding areas. Based in Boxmoor we are your local contacts for a great workshop experience.

Chocwork, Chocolate Making Workshops Launched

Mon, 23 May 2022 19:08:58 GMT

Strawberries, Caramel, Prosecco Friendship and Fun

Anne Barnes and Caroline Scott held a launch yesterday and announced their new business Chocwork to friends and family. It was also a chance to thank everyone for their help and support.

Strawberries enrobed in Belgian chocolate, Caramel flavoured chocolates, the history of Chocolate and Prosecco all helped launch the Chocolate Making Workshop business.

Located in Boxmoor, Hertfordshire but extending into the Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire borders, Chocwork is the newest Chocolate workshop in the area.

With support from Wenta, Dacorum Borough Council and many local businesses, Chocwork is assured of great success.

During a brief presentation, there was time for chocolate tasting and a test of knowledge regarding the history of chocolate.

Hosted at The Box Moor Trust a beautiful barn in the Bulbourne Valley , the guests all toasted the future success of Chocwork.

Just a few hours since the launch we have had enquiries for a special Birthday celebration, Schools workshop and a number of Scout evenings, so we are super excited to help people enjoy these unique events.

School Chocolate Making Workshop

Thu, 19 May 2022 10:56:58 GMT

Year 4 enjoy lots of chocolate fun

This week is proving to be a hectic one, it started with my first School Chocolate making workshop which was very educational! The Year 4 class were super excited and keen to see and smell the melted chocolate and to start to make their chocolate lollipops.

Their tasks included designing a chocolate bar wrapper and I was surprised and delighted to hear how much they knew about flavours and branding. In small groups they took turns to pipe and decorate their lollipops, the shapes and decoration were very imaginative.

After a well deserved break, we all learnt about how chocolate making developed and saw examples of the pod before if becomes a bar of chocolate. We also learnt something of the history and how chocolate was introduced in the UK by the big brands.

The next part was a particular favourite with us all, chocolate tasting! We assessed the flavours and chocolate content of the chocolate buttons (which are called Callets)

The time went so quickly and before anyone knew it the morning was over and it was time to package and label the individual lollipops.

A quick evaluation with my mentor Dawn, time to tidy up, load the car and make our way home.

Chocolate making workshops are for everyone, these particular 8 year olds really had fun, made chocolates and developed skills. I certainly did!

Chocolate Making Workshops in Hertfordshire

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 16:00:05 GMT

We have lift off...

Chocwork the newest Chocolate Workshop Company based on the Beds, Herts and Bucks borders.

We're chocolate fanatics and love creating and delivering our unique range of chocolate workshops and events. You can read all about our chocolate journey and the range of chocolate events that we create and run for our clients.

Our aim is to help you Have Fun, Make Chocolates and Develop Skills too and we hope to welcome you to a chocolate workshop soon.

We look forward to welcoming you to a future workshop.

Caroline & Anne