Finishing touches made to new visitor attraction, Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story

A “MOUND” of cocoa beans and a three-dimensional chocolate wall will form part of York’s latest visitor attraction where finishing touches are currently being made.

Prop makers Paragon Creative, based in Elvington, are creating parts of Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story, including the thousands of cocoa beans, which will stand at the foot of an interactive table, which guides the visitor through the process of making chocolate and represents the raw material. Each bean has been painted by hand, taking about 32 hours.

Paragon has been sub-contracted to do most of the set production by museum designers MET Studio of London, which has been appointed to design the overall package.

Paragon is also making the interactive table, two reception desks and another table in the shape of a bar of chocolate and a tropical tree with cocoa husks at the base of it. MDM Props, of London, has also created a 3D chocolate wall.

The attraction, to open on March 31, will demonstrate the journey of chocolate from Central America’s rainforests to York, including memories from the people of York and generations of secrets from the families that founded the confectionery companies Rowntree’s, Terry’s and Craven’s.

Source and Photo: The Press

Kate Middleton Admits She Loves Chocolate

Kate Middleton might be away from her husband, Prince William, but she has been spending a lot of time with his family. The Duchess of Cambridge seems to be enjoying herself despite missing her beau and it's nice to see her out and about with a smile on her face.

Kate joined Camilla and Queen Elizabeth at Fortnum & Mason, the three ladies all wearing beautiful shades of blue. While there, Kate indulged in "naughty" chocolate. "Oh, I love chocolate. Yes. I think most girls like chocolate," she confessed to the staff (via Us Weekly).

Given Kate Middleton's thin figure, it's pretty obvious that she doesn't eat a lot of chocolate and other sweets. However, it's nice to see that she let herself indulge and really enjoy her trip to the candy shop. There is nothing wrong with a little treat now and again and Kate wasn't going to pass up a delicious piece of chocolate—can you blame her?

The Queen did not have any sweet treats but Camilla did buy a bag of jellybeans. It sounds like it was a fun trip!

Source and Photo: Celebs Gather

Recipe of the Week - Decadent Chocolate Cake

A wonderful recipe from The West that we just had to share with you.


INGREDIENTS

340g unsalted butter
210g good-quality dark chocolate, chopped
460g caster sugar, plus 120g to whisk with eggs
280ml hot water
1 shot black coffee (50ml)
100ml Cointreau
70g good-quality cocoa powder
350g plain flour
12g baking powder
4 eggs


METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 170C. Line cake tin with baking paper and set aside.

2. In a clean bowl, over a saucepan of simmering water, melt butter, chocolate and sugar. Once melted, whisk until combined and you have smooth chocolate sauce.

3. Remove from the heat and whisk in water, coffee and Cointreau and set aside.

4. Allow to cool a little (about 5 minutes). Sift in cocoa, flour and baking powder using a spatula to combine all ingredients. In a separate bowl, with electric mixer, whisk eggs and 120g of extra sugar until pale in colour (about 3-5 minutes).

5. Fold egg and sugar mix into chocolate mix until just combined.

6. Pour cake mix into prepared tin and bake for an hour or until skewer comes out clean.

7. Remove from oven and allow to cool before decorating.

Source and Photo: The West