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My trip to Downing Street

Filed in Blog, News, Our Gallery by on 30th December 2018 0 Comments • views: 1544

 

 

On 28th November I was delighted to be heading to Downing Street.

I had been invited as a Small Business Champion by the Small Business Saturday Campaign to celebrate 5 years of the campaign.

I had been 2 years ago as part of the small business 100 for 2016.

Firstly I wasn’t sure I should go at such a busy time of year for the business… and then I thought “What an honour! I must go!”. So, after sorting out arrangements for work and childcare, I headed down to London, head buzzing with all the bits I needed to do when I got back. I texted my nephew about meeting him for a drink after he finished work and generally filled my time.

It wasn’t until I got to the gates of Downing Street and saw tourists taking pictures that I realised what a special occasion this was and how privileged I was to be invited.

We had the security checks and the staff at the gates were extremely polite and helpful… they even let me take my giant box of chocolates through.

The invitation this time was for 11 Downing St… it had been no. 10 two years ago!

I met other fellow business champions and we decided to have a few pictures in front of the famous door of no. 10 – alas, the police wouldn’t let me hold up my box of chocolates as it would have been seen as advertising!

We were then invited in to number 11 for a drinks and canapés reception. We had to leave our phones behind in little cubby holes and weren’t allowed to take any pictures whilst inside.

The building itself is beautiful and grand but not overwhelming. The staircase leading up to the reception room at no. 10 has beautiful portraits of previous prime ministers and I did wonder if it would be previous chancellors here.

It isn’t… it is covered with political cartoons, caricatures and engravings of past Chancellors of the Exchequer. It is a tradition that each Chancellor gets to choose the cartoon he wants to represent him.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the setting and chatting with other great small business owners and also meeting the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond and the Secretary of state for health and social care,  Matt Hancock as well as representatives from supporting organisations such as Royal Mail, American Express, the Duke of Edinburgh’s iDEA program and many more.

We had speeches and photos and then the afternoon drew to a close.

It was a very special afternoon and it was delightful. Regardless of politics, everyone was respectful, polite and happy.

I was very glad that I had accepted the invitation and was truly honoured and grateful for being on this interesting small business journey.

As always, I am always thankful for all who support our little business.

 

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Where we will be until now and Christmas…

Filed in Blog, Event Details, News by on 5th November 2017 0 Comments • views: 1849

As usual we are out and about with our chocolate over the festive period. Here is a list of where to find us:

Our chocolates can also be ordered online and picked up from Bidston Village. Treats are also available at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Claremont Farm, Greens of Oxton and Stollies.

5th November – River of Light Festival – we’ll be at the bottom of Victoria Parade, New Brighton from 3:30pm tp 7pm

8th November – Christmas Preview Evening at 24 School Lane, CH43 7RQ between 6:30pm and 9pm

11th and 12th November – Pop up in the Palm House Christmas Market, Sefton Park Palm House, L17 1AP Liverpool from 11am to 4pm

19th November – Baltic Market Farmers Market – Cains Brewery, L8 5XJ Liverpool from 11am to 3pm

25th November – West Kirby Farmers Market -St Andrew’s Church Hall, Graham Road, West Kirby – 9am to 1pm

2nd December –

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – Please support as many local businesses as you can today ! Here are two events where it will be really great fun to do so:

Winter Arts Market, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, St James Mount, L1 7AZ Liverpool – 10am to 7pm

Wallasey Village Annual Christmas Event – 3pm to 7pm – We will not be able to attend this year, however Stollies will have a stall of goodies outside their cafe so some of our stock will be available here.

9th December – Christmas Truffle Launch at Claremont Farm- l 9am to 1pm

17th December – Baltic Market Farmers Market – Cains Brewery, L8 5XJ Liverpool from 11am to 3pm

23rd December – West Kirby Farmers Market -St Andrew’s Church Hall, Graham Road, West Kirby – 9am to 1pm

Chocolate and Flowers … The perfect match?

Filed in Blog, News, recipe by on 18th September 2017 0 Comments • views: 2009

 

 

We have had an absolutely crazy week – we started off on Monday with a lovely Chocolate and Wine pairing event with the lovely Sam from Chester Beer and Wine. We love collaborating with Sam and are planning a few more pairings … watch this space!

 

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On Thursday, we went to the launch party of the Good Taste Magazine – what a lovely evening and what a brilliant Magazine – perfect for any foodie. We wish Jade and her team all the very best with the Magazine.

On Saturday we were so very happy to be part of the Ness Gardens Garden Party – celebrating 70 years of Gardeners Question Time. As you may be able to tell from our logo, flowers and gardening are a big hobby of ours. So, imagine being asked to be part of this fabulous event!!

 

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For our demo we chose to combine chocolate and flowers. The flowers were from Mrs B’s edible flowers in St Helens. We first spotted Lisa’s flowers on the Low Down Liverpool and got rather excited about trying to match chocolate and flowers together. Lisa is so very passionate about her flowers and the care and attention she gives to these flowers is visible all around her flower farm. We had a lovely time discussing flavours and ideas and came up with a selection of truffles.

Thank you to all who came to watch our demo and as promised – here is the recipe:

 

Ingredients

– 40g rosehips – topped, tailed and chopped

– 120ml of double cream

– 150g milk chocolate

– rose petals to decorate

 

We chose to use Mrs B’s Rosehips, however if this is not feasible for you and you are planning to gather your own, please be careful. Ensure that they have not been sprayed with any nasty chemicals and also ensure that they are not picked from a busy roadside where there is a lot of traffic.

Look for plump, firm rosehips – make sure they haven’t dried up.

Method:

  1. Heat the rosehips and the cream together until scalding hot
  2. Leave the mixture for at least 6 hours in a fridge (ideally overnight)
  3. Warm up the rosehip infusion and then strain off all of the rosehips – so that you are left with orange looking cream
  4. Leave to cool
  5. Melt the chocolate
  6. Add to the infused cream mixture and slowly tease the cream into the mixture
  7. Pour the ganache into a tray and leave to cool overnight
  8. Chop into bitsize squares and decorate with rose petals – using a little bit of molten chocolate to stick the rose petals on.
  9. Enjoy!!

 

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Baltic Market

Filed in Blog, Event Details, News by on 3rd July 2017 0 Comments • views: 2030

We were really excited to be part of the farmers market at the Baltic Market yesterday.

We registered our interest as soon as we heard that a market was going to be running there – just by the old Cains Brewery.

For years we have thought that Liverpool was crying out for a local market run by local people full of local producers – and at last a decent one has arrived.

The people behind this market, David and Olly have spent a number of years working with small local independent businesses and understand the need for unity and collaboration.

The atmosphere at the market was fabulous, our neighbouring stall holders were delightful, helpful and friendly, the produce was locally made and of top notch quality – we loved being part of this and are looking forward to the first Sunday of every month where we can take our chocolates along.

Of course, there were teething problems – we ran out of stock, the market was packed and people had to queue to get in … but Hey! Give the guys a break!! These are really the right kind of teething troubles to have and in due course will be ironed out.

We are also really looking forward to the Flea market and the makers markets planned on the other Sundays.

Thank you Baltic Market for including us in this fabulous community.

 

 

Chocolate and Wine Tasting

Filed in Blog, Event Details, News, Tastings by on 10th May 2017 0 Comments • views: 2027

We’re really excited to be collaborating with Chester Beer and Wine – a fabulous local Beer and Wine shop. If you haven’t visited them yet do pop in and have a look at their amazing selection of wines! (And beer… but we’re not really beer drinkers at The Chocolate Cellar!)

We will be with them at the Doubletree by Hilton on Wednesday 17th May with a few tasters of chocolate.

On the 20th of July we will be at the Chester Beer and Wine Shop in Hoole and we will be co-hosting a guided chocolate and wine tasting. The chocolates and wine have been carefully matched to provide you with a delicious taste sensation and we hope you will agree with our delightful selections.

Tickets are available for both events from the Chester Beer and Wine website: Chester Beer and Wine Tastings

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