Premium

Firetree Chocolate has seen demand increasing during the pandemic. Pic: Firetree Chocolate

Investment

Firetree Chocolate secures £250k loan as demand for bean-to-bar increases

By Anthony Myers

British luxury brand, Firetree Chocolate, has secured a £250,000 MEIF loan to help meet increasing demand for its products from the UK and overseas, alongside boosting its marketing campaigns to drive sales in 2021, the Stamford-based company has announced.

LOVE bean-to-bar chocolate from ButterLove&Hardwork. Pic Chris Ford

Valentine's Day

Pastry chef creates ‘love letter to chocolate’

By Anthony Myers

Celebrity Pastry Chef and Cacao Barry Ambassador Chris Ford has launched his exclusive ButterLove&Hardwork bean-to-bar chocolate, aptly called LOVE, in time for Valentine’s Day.

Godiva is closing all its retail outlets across the US and Canada. Pic: Godiva

Coronavirus

Godiva shuts up shop in North America and Canada

By Anthony Myers

‘Waning demand’ caused by the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in luxury chocolatier Godiva announcing it will close all its retail outlets in North America and Canada by the end of March this year.

Pic: Chocolat Madagascar

Recognition

Chocolat Madagascar bags three Great Taste Awards

By Anthony Myers

Chocolat Madagascar is celebrating winning three awards from the year’s Great Taste competition, the world’s most trusted food and drink awards from the UK.

Guittard's new 'Mindful' collection is available online and in stores. Pic: Guittard Chocolate Company

Wellbeing

Guittard Chocolate Company launches new ‘Mindful’ range

By Anthony Myers

San Francisco-based premium chocolate company Guittard has launched a new line of ‘Mindful Choices chocolate’ —designed to ‘unite the artistry of chocolate with evolving dietary awareness’.

Guittard's celebrated chocolate chips arrive in Waitrose in the UK this week. Pic: Guittard Chocolate Company

Baking

Guittard launches baking chips into Waitrose stores in UK

By Anthony Myers

San Francisco Bay Area chocolate maker, Guittard Chocolate Company, is launching its celebrated, Fairtrade certified chocolate chips into premium grocer Waitrose stores in the UK for the first time, it has announced.

‘Wine a Little’ virtual wine and chocolate pairing experience takes place on August 29. Pic: Delysia Chocolatier

Online

Delysia Chocolatier launches new virtual tasting series

By Anthony Myers

Building on its popular virtual chocolate tastings during lockdown, Delysia Chocolatier has introduced the DELIGHT Immersive Chocolate Experience series that aims to provide deeper educational, hands-on chocolate adventures.

Hotel Chocolat Group posts strong update, despite its retail outlets being closed for 12 weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pic: Hotel Chocolat

Financial results

Hotel Chocolat Group announces 3% revenue increase for FY20

By Anthony Myers

Premium British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat Group plc has announced revenue of £136m ($174m), an increase of 3% compared with the same period last year, despite its physical high-street outlets being shuttered for 12 weeks because of the coronavirus lockdown.

@dicktaylorchocolate is kicking off the #StayHomeWithChocolate Festival on June 12, from 4-4:30pm EST. Pic: @dicktaylorchocolate

Coronavirus

#StayHomeWithChocolate launches second global digital event

By Anthony Myers

The Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute (FCCI) and Uncommon Cacao have announced a second #StayHomeWithChocolate Festival, scheduled for Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13; and Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20.

Firetree's 3-bar selection ready for its tasting session. Pic Firetree

In brief

Firetree chocolate company to host virtual tasting session

By Anthony Myers

While the nation remains in lockdown British premium brand Firetree will use Zoom for a live and interactive chocolate tasting and discovery event to share its passion and knowledge of rare cocoa beans, remote single estate locations, and its sourcing...

Pierre Marcolini Maison Orient Ramadan chocolate boxes. Pic: Pierre Marcolini Maison

In brief

Pierre Marcolini Maison launches new Ramadan chocolate collection

By Anthony Myers

Luxury chocolatier Pierre Marcolini Maison has launched a ‘New Moon Celebration’ collection to mark the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with a range of new flavours inspired by the sweet aromas of the Middle East.

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS: David Hill, managing director, Cocoda Ltd

Q&A

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS: David Hill, managing director, Cocoda Ltd

By Anthony Myers

Cocoda Ltd specializes in the export of premium chocolate with a global network of retailers and partners. MD David Hill started his career in confectionery at United Biscuits and was mentored by Hotel Chocolat's Angus Thirlwell before setting up...