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Chocoholics of London rejoice! It is finally that time of year again when you can unleash your sweet-tooth and eat as much chocolate as physically possible with absolutely no judgement (and no I don’t mean Easter!).
The London Chocolate Show is back at Olympia this weekend for its 5th year. The show is the UK’s largest chocolate event, showcasing the best companies from around the world and celebrating the creativity of the industry.
Chocolate Samples
Number 1 rule of The Chocolate Show – make sure you arrive hungry as most of the stalls offer free samples of their chocolate. You can try everything from creamy white chocolate to 100% dark chocolate (which FYI gives you a really dry mouth!), and from rich truffles to lighter fruit-filled numbers. With so many samples to try, your taste buds are in for an explosion of exciting chocolate flavors, and your waistband might grow a couple of sizes too!
Chocolate Galore
If all of the free samples aren’t enough to satisfy your chocolate cravings, you can also purchase as much chocolate as you want to either eat as you go or take home for later. Use this opportunity to give the chocolate bars/stabs/nibs a break and try some French macaroons, chocolate truffles or a brownie from Bad Brownie!
Make sure to stop by Goufrais for a traditional German ‘Gugelhupf’ – one of my favorites of the night. With a harder outer shell and soft center, these little treats became so popular on the American military bases in Germany that they decided to branch out and spread the chocolaty goodness across the World.
Pumpkin Spiced Chocolate
It wouldn’t be October in London if there wasn’t something pumpkin spiced, but instead of Lattes this time it’s chocolate truffles from Paul A Young. They also have some other unusual flavors such as marmite and beef dripping caramel.
Chocolate Art
It’s safe to say that many of the talented exhibitors take the ‘art’ of chocolate making to a whole new level. Marvel at the chocolate masterpieces – both the literal ones (there are famous pieces of art made of chocolate in the Choco l’Art Gallery) and the amazing chocolates available to buy that could easily be mistaken for the likes of real shoes or a kids toy.
With Christmas just around the corner (I’m allowed to say that now the Oxford Street lights are up!), this is the perfect opportunity to pick up a unique and delicious gift for your loved ones.
Chocolate Fashion
At the Chocolate Show, anything can be made using chocolate – even clothes!
Chocolate Production
With exhibitors producing chocolate all across the world, the show is a good opportunity to learn more about the interesting background of your favorite sweet treats. Cacao-producing countries such as Peru, Ecuador and Dominican Republic will also have stands to help you learn about the complexity and diversity of the cacao-growing process.
Find out how York Cacao House is bring chocolate production back to York, the home iconic British chocolate such Kit-Kat and Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
Or head to Case Luka Cacao’s stand for a 360 VR tour of their Colombian cacao plantation.
Chocolate Masterclasses
Throughout the weekend there will be live demonstrations and talks from top chefs, pastry chefs and master chocolatiers, including Great British Bake Off winners Nadiya Hussain and Edd Kimber.
Plus, if the demonstrations inspire you to start making your own chocolate, you can buy all of the equipment you need. Mind you, it’s a little on the pricey side!
Chocolate Liqueur
It is the weekend after all, it would be rude not to slip chocolate into something a little stronger! Get over to Imagination and try the likes of chocolate orange liqueur infused with rum – it’s like Christmas in a bottle!
Chocolate Cocktails
All weekend, Guittard‘s are serving up what has to be one of the prettiest, and tastiest, cocktails you’ve ever tried. Vodka, vanilla and, you guessed it, chocolate powder! Oh, and it’s laced with chocolate sauce.
Chocolate Sparkling Wine
If you’re a fan of the more indulgent, keep an eye out for Hudson and Bond‘s ‘Chocolate in a Bottle’. Produced on the French/Spanish border using the champagne method, this sparkling wine was produced in barrels lined with chocolate, giving the drink itself a light chocolaty taste. Just add some strawberries and there you have it – romance in a glass! Time to stock up for Valentines Day 2018.
Mojitos… In a Bag!
If you fancy something a little less, well, chocolaty, get over to Casa Luker Cacau for a Colombian Mojito in a bag. When we asked why in a bag, we were given the best reason – no washing up!
Live Entertainment
A room fulled of sugar-fulled Londoners… what else does it need? Live music and dancing of course!
A Touch of Savory
And when you’re finally completely fed up of chocolate (if that’s even possible), get over to the Chocolate Food Court for a chilli dog, hot dog or baby-back ribs, all made using chocolate/cacao of course – you’re at a chocolate show after all!
Visit The London Chocolate Show
The Chocolate Show is open at Olympia National Hall from Friday 13th – Sunday 15th October.
Friday: 11am to 7pm
Saturday: 10am to 7pm
Sunday: 10am to 6pm
Nearest Tube Stops: Kensington Olympia, Barons Court, High Street Kensington or Hammersmith.
Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.
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looks like a fun day for you babe! id like to visit london one of these days.
Oh my goodness! This all looks so good!! I’ll have to remember this whenever I make it across the pond for my first visit to London!