Chocolate News!

This week is Chocolate Week. Willy Wonka would be in his element, and so are you chocolate lovers out there. The highlight of Chocolate Week has to be Chocolate Unwrapped (http://www.chocolateunwrapped.co.uk/about/); a show where visitors can immerse themselves in a decadent celebration of chocolate. It’s a day to marvel at chocolate sculptures, watch chocolate cooking demonstrations and taste a variety of exciting new flavours, new chocolate, unexpected pairings and classic favourites from the world’s top chocolatiers.

The best chocolatiers and chocolate companies in the UK exhibit at Chocolate Unwrapped joined by exhibitors from around the world. Discover new chocolates and blends, exciting flavours and award winning bars. Chocolate Unwrapped is moving this year to a larger venue in the heart of London's Covent Garden - the London Film Museum's new contemporary and stylish space under the bustling market and it kicks off on Thursday 11th October until Sunday 14th.

If you can’t get in to London, don’t worry – there are events happening all over the country. Take a look here to find something near you  http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/ideas/chocolate-week.html . Our favourite events has to be at Terre a Terre in Brighton. One of the UKs finest vegetarian restaurants is celebrating Chocolate Week with a 'Big Chocolate Menu'. Dive into sweet treats like Salt Caramel Chocolate Churros, Orange Chocolate Tiered Torte and Brandy Alexander cocktails.

Would you like to win a year’s supply of Thorntons chocolate? Sandra Moran from Windsor did when she came up with a new flavour for the British chocolate company. The chocolatiers launched a nationwide competition to ask for people to help them find the next great chocolate flavour, inspired by different regions of Britain. The top three from each region were put to the public vote and 11 regional finalists were invited to Thorntons chocolate factory to turn their ideas into reality. The overall winner after 45,000 votes was Eton Mess flavour, white chocolate with strawberries and pieces of meringue, created by Sandra. Her creation will be available in Thorntons stores next year.

Perhaps you think there’s more to chocolate? Well, you could be right – take a look at these five top chocolate experiences!

Baking Ghirardelli Chocolate Caramel Turtle Brownies at home. This is from a mix, but it's still heavenly good. Plus you feel a sense of accomplishment, and the food subjectively tastes "better" from the sweat you put into it.

Chocolate tasting at Compartes. This is a chocolatier in L.A.  -  it's fairly high end (and unfortunately pricey), but you do get to taste some very odd-flavoured truffles, like blood orange and pumpkin!  This place is also known for their custom-made sculpted chocolates.

Chocolate and wine tasting at Waterford in South Africa. Think deep reds with chilli chocolate…..

Self-guided chocolate tasting walking tour in Paris. Work your way through the patisseries, creperies and boulangeries into a chocolate stupor.

Cadbury factory tour in Dunedin, New Zealand. New Zealand is calm, quiet, and full of sheep, and Dunedin is no different. However, they do have something the other more bustling cities do not: Cadbury! If you’re in the UK – pop along to Brum for the same experience (minus the sheep).