Taste Chocolate confirms 2017 line-up

This Easter weekend, some of the country’s best chocolate producers will be bringing their chocolate to Bristol’s biggest celebration of chocolate: Taste Chocolate.

Taking over the Sansovino Hall in Bristol’s new Harbour Hotel on the 15th and 16th April, Taste Chocolate is a two-day family friendly event featuring over 30 exhibitors, chocolate demonstrations, a Prosecco bar, a history of chocolate exhibition and new for this year, a chocolate multi-sensory experience, inviting you to experience chocolate like never before.

Origin: The multisensory chocolate experience has been created by Bristol-based storytellers and gastronomy experimenters, Understory. It takes visitors on a journey through their past, present and future, all using the medium of chocolate as a stimulator to heighten the senses and provide a coherent awareness of ourselves and the environment. Part theatre, part chocolate tasting and psychology, the multisensory experience uses art, tarot, mindfulness and music to enhance the way audience members eat chocolate and will take place in the underground vaults of the Bristol Harbour Hotel’s new spa.

To participate in Origin: The multisensory chocolate experience, visitors can buy a ticket from the Taste Chocolate website. The tickets – priced at £18 each – include access to the festival and admission to the multi-sensory experience – those wanting to come just to the festival can purchase advance tickets from the website to avoid disappointment.

During the weekend, expect over 30 exhibitors, showcasing beautifully crafted chocolates, cakes, patisserie, churros, wine, beer, liqueurs, brownies, hot chocolate and of course Easter eggs.

Exhibitors this year include Bristol’s award-winning Zara’s Chocolates with other Bristol based artisan chocolatiers; Little Cocoa Company, McWhirr’s Chocolate and Adam’s Raw Chocolate. From further afield, chocolatiers Fifth Dimension, The Chocolatier, J.Cocoa and Winchester Fine Chocolates will showcase their award-winning chocolates as well as vegan chocolate from Cocoa Caravan and Solkiki. Expect unusual flavour combinations from the likes of Chocolate Arthouse and Mannabonbons and festival regulars La Fleur de Chocolat and Divine Chocolate will also be showcasing an assortment of chocolates, Easter eggs and chocolate teacakes.

Understory, the creators of Origin: The multisensory chocolate experience will also launch their first chocolate bar at the festival. Handcrafted and made in Bristol, the bar is made from some of the world’s rarest cacao and comes complete with a short film about the production of the cocoa beans.Visitors can also taste the more weird and wonderful applications of chocolate, such as Rubis Wine’s Chocolate Wine, Chocolate Salami, quirky chocolate gifts from The Chocolate Workshop, raw chocolate ingredients from Ethical Treats and Hungarian chimney cakes from

Visitors can also taste the more weird and wonderful applications of chocolate, such as Rubis Wine’s Chocolate Wine, Chocolate Salami, chocolate gifts from The Chocolate Workshop, raw chocolate ingredients from Ethical Treats and Hungarian chimney cakes from Smok’n Chimney, while Bristol’s own Incredible Brewing Company will once again create a chocolate ale especially for the festival. Other liquid delights include liqueurs from The Wiltshire Liqueur Company, local gin from Bramley and Gage, handmade lemonade from Hullabaloos and chocolate chai syrup from Henny and Joe’s.

There will also be treats from award-winning patisserie Dimkin’s, Bristol’s show stopping cakery Ahh Toots, Fair and Square Chocolate Brownies, the authentic French creperie La Bonne Crepe, vegan-friendly Churros Olé and raw, guilt-free desserts from Elspeth’s Kitchen.

Further programme announcements are expected shortly to reveal details of new special tasting and pairing events, the line-up for the cookery demonstration theatre and other events and activities.

Taste Chocolate takes place from 10am – 6pm on Saturday 15th and 10am – 5pm on Sunday 16th April. For further information and to purchase advance festival tickets (£4 plus booking fee), visit www.tastechocolate.co.uk. Entry is free for those under the age of 13 if accompanied by an adult.