Saturday 27 October 2012

Food and Craft Markets - Still serving a purpose?

Farmers Markets in the UK were once a weekly event in the last century.  Personally, I can remember back to the 60's when Colchester had its weekly cattle market, Middleborough, at the bottom of North Hill.  The sights and sounds of that market left an indelible image on me even to this day. Now the animal pens have been replaced by car parks and flats. 'Progress' marches on without sentiment.  Whilst Colchester market has moved on to different locations over the years and changed its offer radically, it is still taking place and attracting visitors to Colchester, contributing to the local economy. 


In these times of Double Dip recession, Quantitative Easing and Euro melt down it is not surprising that the UK high street has become a 'victim'. Unemployment is high, opportunities for jobs are scarce and people are not able to make ends meet, having to resort to hand outs from the Red Cross. Traditional local shops including butchers, Post Offices, and greengrocers have gradually been erased and replaced with well, err... nothing. What does that mean for a community?  Ok, I can get in my car and cruise the 20 miles to my nearest supermarket. What is the fate of those with little or no access to local transport living in rural areas. 

Buying local food and crafts locally serves a number of purposes. It provides a valuable income stream for farmers; saves on 'food miles'; an education for everyone; employment and a valuable sense of community. 


Essex Life Food Producer of the Year 2012
In Essex, there are two markets worthy of a mention that have both gone from strength to strength each with their own separate identity. One, Great Garnetts, is well established, attracting regular customers from in and around the Barnston area of Essex.  The other is a relatively new, up and coming, 'food and craft market' found in Little Waltham. 


Katy's Kitchen Delights!

Great Garnetts - If you've not been to Great Garnetts before I assure you that it is well worth a visit. During the week it is a traditional farm rearing 2,000 prize winning piggies for bacon and delicious sausages that have won numerous Taste Awards and recently Jonathan and Julie were voted Essex Life Food Producer of the year 2012! This is a traditional farmers market in the true sense of the word. Providing education for the young and not so young, an opportunity to catch up with friends and family and also to buy brilliant local produce including chocolate by me, honey, smoked salmon, pottery by Linda Lukin and much, much more. Their next market is perhaps one of the biggest as customers come from far and wide to order their turkeys in readiness for the festive season. This all takes place on Saturday 10th November.


Brick House Farm Produce
Little Waltham - In contrast to Great Garnetts we have the aptly named Little Waltham, a smaller, food and craft market which has been running for many years in various guises but now under new management has recently moved to a new venue. What it might lack in 'farmyard' atmosphere and size, is made up by the sheer enthusiasm of the stall holders and villagers who participate and attend this monthly event. 

There are as many as 30 stalls providing a range of handmade crafts to locally grown fruit and veg. Neil of Brick House Farm Produce, is just one of the many stall holders providing handmade jams and chutneys. Neil says, "Using traditional methods, we make small batches using seasonal fruit sourced from local apple and pear orchards, our own hedgerows and a number of local back gardens; we are always on the lookout for old or unusual fruit trees, as well as gardeners or ramblers looking for a part time job or that are happy to trade produce for fruit picked.  We aim to produce good quality preserves full of fruit and flavour, but nothing else; apart from the fruit we only use spices and sugar or vinegar as a preservative". 

Local markets encourage enterprising people to set up their own full time businesses. Take Kerry and Martin for instance. Rocket and Rhubarb was born in January 2010 with a ½ acre meadow full of grass, weeds, and not much else.  Armed with only our garden tools, a passion for growing vegetables and a huge amount of hard work, blood, sweat and tears, we have developed our little piece of land into a small holding growing a variety of seasonal produce.

Rocket and Rhubarb -Veg Box Scheme
Kerry says, "All our produce is grown using organic methods; we only use organic composts, feeds, natural pest controls and guarantee that absolutely no pesticides or artificial growth enhancers have been used on our crops".

They introduced a veg box scheme in September 2010 starting with only a handful of customers.  This innovative idea has developed and they're delighted that it has really taken off. They are now delivering to over 60 customers from Chelmsford to Bishops Stortford, Witham to Galleywood and everywhere in between. The business continues to go from strength to strength even in this difficult English climate.

The Lt Waltham Food & Craft Market takes place on the first Saturday every month (except January and August) and is open from 10 am to 1 pm with ample FREE parking behind the hall, disabled access, toilets and of course FREE ENTRY! 

Local markets have their place and like high street businesses they have their ups and downs. They've been around for centuries and I imagine they will continue for many more but, not without support from local people, councils and farmers alike.  Local markets are more than just about artisan food or that piece of pottery you fancy, they are about community and supporting local economies. 

If you're interested in becoming a stall holder or perhaps thinking of starting up your own market then you should visit these useful sites for further information: Stallinder or FARMA or visit some of the top markets in the UK at Visit Britain. You may also be interested in Slow Food.

Posted by Richard.

Saturday 20 October 2012

House Dark 65 - William Curley


Autumn, a lovely time of year when the foliage is looking at its most beautiful.  Almost two years ago I reviewed a bar of milk chocolate by William Curley. I remember then commenting on the packaging which,  I felt, was very unassuming. Well, since then things have certainly moved on in the packaging department.  

The bar is now elegantly presented in a black box decorated with gold filigree and  wrapped in thick gold foil. Very sumptuous indeed and it will make a perfect gift for somebody. 

I might be wrong but I believe William Curley is the first person to introduce a House Chocolate and what a great idea. I can't understand why it took so long when you consider restaurants have been doing it with wine for years. 

A 65% cocoa content. A intoxicating, deep, rich, 'forest floor mixed with wild berries' aroma wafts up from this little bar of dark chocolate.  

Handmade, a shiny ebony finish with a simple design. This bar has a great snap! Liquid dark chocolate melts sublimely on the tongue with fruity acidity leaking out unexpectedly, adding that extra level of flavour.  

In comparison to a Peruvian 64 that I've just tasted, it is silky smooth and full of subtle flavours, that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end!  I don't get that response with all chocolate. 



William Curley has been awarded The Academy of Chocolate's Best British Chocolatier accolade three years in a row. 


House Dark 65

I purchased this bar from Whole Foods for the princely sum of £4.69/50g or £9.38/100g which sounds incredible.  If you want you can buy online at £4.50 plus shipping. I say, "ignore the price and treat yourself!"  It's not a Mars bar, OK!  In terms of scores, 9/10.  The price is top end but, you are experiencing some of the best and sophisticated chocolate available today. To buy online click here.

William and Suzue Curley, have three boutiques in London including, Richmond-upon-Thames opened in 2004, which was their first, Belgravia a much larger shop opened in 2009 and finally a concession in Harrods. Interestingly, there is a dessert bar at their Belgravia boutique.  I wonder how it compares to Jason Atherton's, Pollen Street Social?

If you enjoyed this you may want to read another post about William and Suzue Curley http://chocchick.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/cinnamon-32-cocoa-by-william-and-suzue.html

Thursday 18 October 2012

Milk Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts - Swiss Style

Is it me or is it just coincidence that things happen in threes. For example, at the weekend a Swiss customer visited my chocolate stall and tasted my chocolate explaining that, "10 o'clock in the morning is not my usual 'chocolate time',  I have 200 grams of chocolate at 2 o'clock everyday".  He wasn't joking either!  A few days later a friend visited Switzerland and returned laden down with many chunky and colourful chocolate bars, without any prompting from me.  Today, I read in the Metro that the Von Trapp family who inspired The Sound of Music and escaped from Austria into Switzerland had ancestors in Bolton!  Uncanny, don't you think. Obviously, if I'm reading the signs correctly I need to book a skiing holiday immediately. But, maybe not.  If I remember the last time I visited Switzerland, some thirty years ago, I came down the mountain on all fours and minus a couple of ski poles! Not something I wish to repeat.


Visit their Swiss Website to enter a Competition

Nestle UK and Ireland is a subsidiary of Nestle SA, described interestingly as the world's, nutrition, health and wellness company. In the UK and Ireland alone they employ 7,000 people. They produce well known brands such as, Kit Kat, Nescafe, Smarties, Buxton, Go Cat and Shreddies.  The majority of these products originated in Vevay, Switzerland. The company started in 1866, was the brainchild of Henri Nestle, who came up with a substitute for breastfeeding mothers who could not feed their children.  His first product had a really catchy name, "Farine Lactee Henri Nestle", the brand name might not have been a success but his formula was and he saved many children. Read more here about the history of Nestle

The Cailler connection came about when in 1819 Francois-Louis Cailler opened the first chocolate making factory in Switzerland.  His first shop was near Corsier-sur-Vevay.  He bought an existing chocolate factory in 1825, the Chenaux Ziegler mill, to produce high quality chocolate using industrial processes, that ordinary people could afford.  Cailler’s greatest innovation was a delightfully smooth chocolate that was formed into bars. The idea quickly became a sensation all over the world. In 1875, Daniel Peter combined Cailler’s quality chocolate with his neighbour, Henri Nestle’s condensed milk to produce a deliciously smooth and creamy milk chocolate. Cailler soon merged with Charles Amedee Kohler, known for the invention of hazelnut chocolate, and were later purchased by manufacturing giant, Nestle, in 1929.



This 100g bar is described as, 'Milk Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts', containing sweetened condensed whole milk 39%, sugar, hazelnuts 24%, etc, etc. It also contains 28% cocoa solids. It has a GDA of 5% (Guideline Daily Amount) but, as it is all in Swiss I can't translate it. You'll not be surprised to learn that there is a powerful aroma of hazelnuts coming from this bar. At this time of year don't leave your bar unattended in a park or a squirrel might nab it!  And yes, "what has a hazelnut in every bite", does spring to mind as the first chunks are devoured. The chocolate is silky smooth and sweet but not over the top and reminds me of Topic without that distinctive caramel flavour.  The nuts are crunchy and plentiful. 

An enjoyable 'industrial' bar of chocolate that's just an 'easy eat'.  I'm sure Swiss chocolate has much, much more to offer in terms of quality but, where can the best Swiss chocolates be found? Over to you.....

Thursday 11 October 2012

Rajoles - Chocolate Con Leche 40%

On a recent trip to Whole Foods I picked up a fantastic looking bar of chocolate, Rajoles, by Enric Rovira of Barcelona. But, before we get to those sweet delights lets talk retail. 

If you are like me and enjoy everything there is to know about food and retail then I highly recommend a visit to the Kensington branch of Whole Foods.  There are other outlets in Camden, Clapham, Piccadilly and Stoke Newington.  I guarantee it will be an education on how our food should be presented and prepared.  You may balk at some of their prices, which I agree are off the scale when compared to the likes of Tesco, but, I guarantee you will come out more informed, wowed and perhaps a little lighter in the wallet.  No product is undersold and marketing is bold and in your face!  There are tasters everywhere and opportunities to win prizes or obtain sizeable discounts on certain offers.  The cheese-mongers was one of the best in terms of choice and just general presentation.  I was amazed to find out that you can even make your own peanut butter!  There are restaurants situated on the top floor, but they were going through an upgrade at the time of my visit so they're not looking their best right now. 


My only gripe with Whole Foods is their staff.  At the final stage of the journey the cashiers were an absolute let down.  None of them smiled and barely offered a welcome such was their boredom!  Ok, it was early in the morning but there can be no excuse for such poor customer interaction. I'm always impressed with female cashiers that can chug down 4 pints of water before you reach their till point!  Unfortunately,  I just can't shift that image however hard I try. Plus, the online survey monkey doesn't work...grr. Apart from that it's great.

Chocolate from Spain?  That certainly wasn't on my chocolate radar but this distinctive looking bar grabbed my attention. Rajoles, made by Enric Rovira.  According to his website it all started in 1993 whereupon a plan was hatched to open a new bakery selling all manner of chocolate delights created by Enric. If you have not come across Enric before you should check out some of the coolest looking chocolate images I've ever seen, especially the Easter Egg creations.  His chocolates are inspired by architectural elements of Barcelona.




Rajoles is the name they use for their chocolate bars. It is a polysemous (never used that word in a sentence before) word in Catalan meaning both slab and chocolate bar. 



This milk chocolate slab has a cocoa content of 40% and is sweet but not overly so.  Butterscotch is the main flavour to come through and the smooth milk chocolate melts sublimely on the tongue. I can't tell you where his cocoa originates but who cares when it tastes this good!

This is a delicious bar of chocolate that has been well made with perfect shine, snap and best of all no holes! A lot of thought has been put into the creation of this bar. In terms of price you're looking to pay £3.99 for a 100g slab which in comparison to some 'high end' chocolates is excellent value for money. 9/10.

In Barcelona the streets are paved with chocolate not gold!  How interesting and creative. Now, I only wish I'd picked up more than one bar!

Enric will be at Chocolate Unwrapped this weekend. To buy online click here.

Saturday 6 October 2012

Pelicaen 88% Chocolate

Oh, it's not a chocolate orange? Damn!
Chocolate News: Apparently, recession has finally hit sales of chocolate in Europe.  Chocolate once considered 'recession proof' is no longer an affordable treat. Previously, during times of hardship chocolate was that little indulgence a person would allow themselves. However, purse strings have become so tight that even a simple bar of chocolate remains out of reach for many Europeans. People are spending less and less on food so  expecting them to spend their hard stretched euros on chocolate is proving an impossibility for European retailers.  The global chocolate market is valued at approximately $85 billion.  This week Cadbury launched a new chocolate bar, Crispello, a chocolate bar for women, specifically those who are watching their weight.  This is the first product since the 90's that Cadbury have launched. It is a mix of wafer and chocolate and only clocks up a mere 165 calories. Apparently, it also comes in a handy resealable wrapper that is split into 3 sections. Initial response has been poor and not on the grounds of taste or quality as you might think but because of 'gender specific' marketing.  It seems most women prefer a chunky Yorkie or Mars to chomp on. You and me both darling.....

As chocolate bars are being left on European shop shelves I picked up my next bar from Pelicaen a Belgium chocolate retailer based in Brussels.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to go on this visit but as I'm always on the look out for new bars. I hastily asked my adventurers to grab some chocolate for me and they delivered but, it wasn't what I was expecting.  Interestingly, Belgium prides itself on having the best chocolate but looking at the label they do not have the best inkjet printers! Either that or all Belgium people have 20/20 vision. Perhaps, the worst marketing and label design I have seen in a long time. Not an auspicious start to a tasting.....

Pelicaen 88% Chocolate
Pelicaen Chocolates, very little is known about this company and not being able to explore the shop myself leaves me in the dark when it comes to understanding them as a business. Their website has not yet gone live but here is the link to their site. Alternatively, visit Shop in Brussels for more information. The only other mention I could find was by World Snoop who only managed one line and it wasn't very promising!

Not to be put off I soldiered on! This particular dark chocolate has an 88% cocoa content and despite initial doubts this is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The chocolate is well made despite outward appearances but this may be as a result of poor storage on the journey home. The chocolate has a good snap, a slightly grainy texture but not as chalky or dry as I imagined. However, after a while I can feel my mouth drying out. There is not a lot of fruit or acidity and overall it is a bit flat in terms of flavour. Slightly astringent at the end especially on the back of the throat.

80g of Belgium Chocolate
I would like to know more about this company and the origins of their chocolate and look forward to their website going live. You will pay €3.00 for a bar of Pelicaen chocolate. Overall 4/10 as the packaging was awful and taste was flat. 

C'mon Belgium you can do better than this....surely? Would love some feedback from Belgium customers who have visited this retailer....bring it on!