11 Oct 2010

CHOCOLATE.

Yes, yes! I know it's Monday and my posting about something other than the week-ends newspapers will leave me confused as well but hey, a blogger's gotta do what a blogger's gotta do and in this instance a blogger has to post about something of the utmost importance - Chocolate week. Yeah.

Running here in the Uk from today until the 20th of October, "Chocolate Week is a time of pure indulgence involving the country's best chocolatiers and chocolate shops holding events all over the UK" and needless to say I'll be joining in the fun. Ok, so its not as if I attended the ACADEMY OF CHOCOLATE CONFERENCE which was held in London on Saturday but I did support it in the best way I could ------- yes, you guessed, by eating chocolate. As I said a bloggers gotta to do ........

BUT not wanting to miss out on the papers altogether, there were several chocolate (what else) related stories.

Firstly, something of deep concern to me:-

A chocolate-flavoured wine (a term offensive to both chocolate and wine connoisseurs don't you agree?) is set to hit the shelves as recession-hit Brits go 'loco for cocoa'.
The £7.99 red is 15 per cent alcohol and infused with real choc.
It has been launched amid news that Brits spent over £3.6 billion on chocolate (I wonder how much of that is down to yours truly?) as we opt for low-cost food. Demand has even led to other foods being flavoured with the treat - such as Christmas cake (surely that is just a chocolate cake as opposes to the traditional fruit cake?) and salted pretzels.
(What's that?) Choc wine was in (fact) invented in 1710 but the recipe fell out of use until it was revised by a British chef in 2008.
A spokeswoman for Marks And Spencer (M&S) which is to sell the Chocolate Ruby drink said: 'Chocolate and wine all in one glass (yuk! Oh hang on that was me) - what more could a lady want? (Another box of chocolates instead of the wine?) But men love it too.'
Retail analysts Mintel found 87% of men often eat it as do 91% of women.- Jane Hamilton, the Sun.

As to the question what more could a lady want? How about chocolate with none of the calories? And I mean NO calories. Sound too good to be true? How about LE WHIF: A chocolate inhaler?

It is the chocoholic's dream - a sweet treat that gives all the joy of chocolate without any of the calories.
Scientists have created an inhaler packed with tiny particles of chocolate.
A whiff or two gives all the pleasure of chocolate without any of the guilt, or so its designers from Harvard University claim.
The chocolate powder comes in four flavours - mint, raspberry, mango and plain - packed in sausage-shaped plastic bags which are slipped inside a small plastic aerosol dispenser. - Mail online.

With our 25th wedding anniversary being next September Husband dearest and I are planning what to do/where to go. Perhaps the answer lies here with the perfect holiday for chocoholics.

Bournemouth. The family owned CHOCOLATE BOUTIQUE HOTEL is a chocolate lover's dream. Immortalise yourself in chocolate at a chocolate portrait painting session run by top chocolatier Gerry Wilton, who owns and runs the world's first chocolate themed hotel.
At Gerry's unique Grade II listed Chocolate Boutique Hotel in Bournemouth, you can learn how to paint a portrait of yourself in dark, milk and white chocolate; stay in chocolate-themed rooms; and indulge in the culinary art of making delicious Belgian truffles by hand at one of Gerry's Chocolate Delight workshops.
There are also chocolate fountains, a chance to learn all about the history of chocolate and a Chocolate Bar, where you can treat yourself to a glorious handmade chocolate cocktail.
You can even learn how to match chocolate with wine and spirits in a unique chocolate tasting session inspired by the famous Belgian chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud, whose range of chocolates is designed to be eaten and tasted with wines such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as mulled wines, dessert wines and malt whisky. - the Sun.

OR ....... A little further afield, how about ........? (click HERE for details.)

And last but by no means least (drum roll if you please) ........... my favourite chocolate add.

27 comments:

Misha said...

OMG! This post makes me want to gorge on chocolates. Its the same feeling I got after watching Charlie and the Chocolate factory.

Erratic Thoughts said...

Oh!I so need a chocolate now...I'm gonna grab n slurp one.mmmm...
Celebrating on your behalf, from all the way here!(Oh do I need a reason to eat a chocolate? :D)

Tracy, Loved the post for the sheer delight of it!Thanx!
You have a way with sharing the nicest news...:)

Christina Lee said...

Is someone talking about my favorite subject? ;-)

We have chocolate wine here (called ChocoVine) and I have to say, it's yummmy (but sweet--more like a liquer).

brizmus said...

Must go to chocolate hotel!
Although I think the chocolate inhaler won't work for me. I need me some real chocolate!
And speaking of, I am upset with you. I have 8 chocolate bars to last me until December 19, and I've been doing SO good at rationing, but after reading your post, I found that I was inspired and ate an entire half a bar in one sitting. oops!

serendipity_viv said...

I put dark chocolate in chilli and it makes it taste fantastic.

Loving the Chocolate Boutique hotel. I wanna stay there now and it isn't far from me.

That advert is one of my favourites.

Karen said...

mmmmm......chocolate!

Melissa Gill said...

I miss chocolate. I'm an addict, so in the name of trying to eat clean, I've had to swear off chocolate for the past month. I've been deprived.

SG said...

Nice info on Chocolate. I would love a chocolate flavored wine.

Veens said...

Why don't we have Chocolate Week here!! Oh my! I want some now!

Arti said...

The chocolate inhaler tales the Cake (or should I say Chocolate) for me... Have a nice week PW:)

Gina said...

Oh by all means...I definitely understand! ^_^ Chocolate is one of those universal things...most people love it in some form or another. Sad to say I have seen the chocolate flavored wine in the states as well as a chocolate wine bottle....go figure!

Oddyoddyo13 said...

You had me at the word "chocolate". I fail to see what the gorilla playing drums has to do with chocolate....but it was an awesome commercial regardless!

Nina said...

What? Chocolat! Love it. Need it. Right now! :)

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Chocolate week? Seriously? I have to move in with you. :)

Kavita Saharia said...

I am a big time Chocolate lover - but i consume them in moderation.A small piece of it every night with my cup of milk.Now that i know it is chocolate week (thanks to your post)i think i will eat a big chunky piece of chocolate pastry ...just to celebrate :)

Bonnie said...

I adore chocolate esp. truffles. Surprisingly tho, my favorite ice cream is vanilla, the kind with the little black vanilla specks in it. That is heaven!

~Bonnie

ps - enjoyed catching up with your reviews.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I'd like a lactose-free chocolate that actually tastes good... and I mean GOOD! I'm hoping Lactofree will come up with some, because they're milk & cheese taste normal!

Ashlie Swainston said...

AW! I'm so sorry that I didn't specify about the contest! This one unfortunately isn't international, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the UK and future contests will be international, as they will be through the book depository. I"m sorry!

Thank you for your comments still!

Ashlie
Page Turners Gone Wild

Kelly said...

So is your husband as much of a chocoholic as you are?? I've always thought it would be fun to visit Hershey, Pennsylvania here in the US. I've heard the entire town smells like chocolate.

I love the smell and taste of chocolate, but dare I admit here that I'm not really a chocoholic? Given the choice between chocolate and vanilla flavorings, more often than not I'll choose the vanilla. It all depends on what food item and my mood at the moment.

Jenners said...

Well, I certainly want to do my part and support this as best I know how -- by eating lots and lots of chocolate.

And no way will sniffing chocolate flavored powders rival the real thing. It is all about taste.

And now I know where to stay on my next vacation too. Thanks!

The Bookworm said...

OMG chocolate week?!! Sounds FANTASTIC! lol
The chocolate hotel sounds divine.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

NRIGirl said...

Oh! How I wish I was in London this week...

Please enjoy on my behalf too.

~ NRIGirl

Suko said...

Delicious post! You have better ads in England!

Dee said...

Thanks for stopping by and letting me know it was Chocolate week :D It was just in time, I stopped by on the way home and picked up a slice of chocolate cake to share with my mom.

Heather said...

Chocolate, yum.. I once tried a chocolate fudge cheese. i was going to post a link but the factory had a fire and has temporarily closed their store.

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

I love Phil Collins, this is so cute, great gorilla suit too.

purplume said...

I often put cocoa powder in my coffee. I did it this morning and I feel a luscious chocolate cloud around and in me. Zero calories too.