Whether you live in and around Bath and come to the area regularly, or you’re just visiting for the day, Milsom Place is right in the heart of things, providing a bustling and cosmopolitan public space which hosts a variety of local activities such as festivals, outdoor film screenings, jazz and fashion shows. Check back regularly to see what’s new.
Chocolate Festival 2010 - 4th & 5th December
The annual Milsom Place Chocolate Festival has been enticing chocoholics of all ages with the promise of luxurious treats, samples and a chance to find unique edible gifts for Christmas for 5 years now.
The event takes place in the courtyards of Milsom Place from 10am-5pm on Saturday 4th, and 11am-4pm on Sunday 5th December.
This year, the line up includes chocolatiers such as James Chocolates from Bristol, Damian Allsop, Rococo Chocolate, Minerva, Affectionary, Crumpet Cakes, CHOCOCO and Cocoa Magic.
Producer information
James Chocolates will challenge chocolate enthusiasts to try some more adventurous and unusual flavours, such as Strawberry & Black Pepper, Raspberry & Mint, and even Chilli Pecan Praline. Specialising in “original, quirky, visually attractive chocolate” it’s not surprising that they can make great gifts. Fresh cream truffles in a handmade box make perfect presents, and their hand-painted chocolate spotty frogs and honey bees are favourites with children. Now sold in top department stores such as Harrods and John Lewis, you would not have thought this specialist chocolatier had a previous life as a biologist and a DJ.
Damian Allsop has made his name in chocolate by using the simplest of ingredients, water. Plain H2O is the key to the success of Allsops' 'gastronomic revolution' as it means his water based ganache is purer and lighter. Allsop has also played Willy Wonka with the creation of his 'Flavour Changers'. The tastes of these truffles change in your mouth whilst you eat them, with huge bursts of flavour such as passion fruit, fresh basil, and coffee. 'Compact bars' – incredibly more-ish chocolate disks – make great gifts, and their new collection of chocolates with Teas and Infusions (using the Bristol-based specialist tea supplier Lahloo) are a great talking point when served with tea among friends.
Rococo chocolate was founded by one woman with a dangerous passion for chocolate, who believed there was room for a new approach towards the art of chocolate making. If you want something festive, their luxury Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh dark chocolate artisan bars with gold leaf are perfect. Children cannot resist their 'gorgeous black and white pussycats' and 'hand painted milk chocolate pigs'. However, if extravagance is what you are after, their Nebuchadnezzar hamper has little competition, stuffed full of treats including their floral creams, and chicchi di caffe (coffee flavoured chocolate beans).
Bristol based Crumpet! creates glamorous and delicious cakes like their signature Raspberry Mud Cake (just as indulgent as it sounds), rich chocolate truffle cake and that seasonal favourite sticky toffee pudding.
Husband and wife-led team, CHOCOCO are passionate about three things when it comes to their chocolate, provenance, freshness, and purity. Their chocolates are made from local or ethically produced ingredients, contain no preservatives, and are produced within a carbon neutral company. Treat yourself to their award winning melting milk chocolate vanilla truffles, or the highly indulgent 'Assorted Fresh Truffles in a Chocolate Cocoa Pod'.
Also showcasing their delicious chocolate treats will be Minerva Chocolate, Affectionary and Cardiff-based Cocoa Magic. Internet firm Affectionary allows you to personalise your box of chocolates, and you can add a little sparkle to your day by trying Cocoa Magic’s Passion Fruit Truffle, encased in delicious white Belgian chocolate decorated with hundreds and thousands and glitter.
Affectionary - www.affectionary.co.uk
Cocoa Magic - www.cocoamagic.co.uk
Indulge yourself at Milsom Place on the 4th & 5th December!
