Chocolate Ravioli

Today I thought I would show you what's inside this intriguing box...

 

And this is what they look like

 White Chocolate with Cardamom...

 Milk Chocolate with Sea Salt...

Dark chocolate with Chilli...

Can I eat them now? If like me you are tempted to eat them they are available in our shop and online here

Cocoa ladies meet 'Chocolat' author Joanne Harris

In Cocoa we get told by many customers that our shop reminds them of the book (and the film) Chocolat by Joanne Harris. Although we are very much still waiting for our Johnny Depp! So when we heard Joanne Harris was coming to Sheffield we were really excited. She was doing a talk on her new book (and third sequel to chocolat), Peaches for Monsieur le Cure.

 The talk took place in the Sheffield Library Theatre. It was really interesting to hear about how she feels about her writing and her characters. She spoke about being drawn to coming back to the characters in Chocolat time after time. We were lucky enough to meet her at the end and get this very cheesy picture of me, Joanne and Kate.

My mum and our dear friend Katie also came with us to the talk. Me and Mum recognised a few Cocoa book club people there too!

  

We were also lucky to get our copy of Chocolat signed to Cocoa. This actually lives in Cocoa if anyone wants to see it.

 Really pleased Sheffield Librarys put on such interesting events, check out future events here.

Hopping Sucess!

Just wanted to share what a great week we had on Ecclesall road with our first Ecclesall Road Chocolate hop, raising money for Sheffield Neurocare Charity. 

To re cap, we asked loads of Ecclesall road shops to leave a clue in their window for children (& adults) to find on the Hop once they had found all the eggs in the shops they received a chocolate bunny (shown here)

....and their name went into a raffle for a HUGE 4kg egg. It was free to hop but we asked for donations for Neurocare. We also encouraged dressing up, demonstrated perfectly by these guys...

Three shy little girls ready to collect their chocolate bunny and put their names in for the raffle...

 A very exctied Hopper!

 After the hop all names we put into a HUGE box. We had over 100 hoppers take part and raised over £65 for Neurocare...

 We have a winner! Congats to Edward who is 5 years old (the egg is nearly bigger then him!) Edward did the Chocolate hop with his friend Issac and Issac's mum Jo, who works just up the road at Lobby Toffs. Edward says he will definitely be sharing the egg with Issac.

 Thank you to everyone who took part in the Hop and to all the retailers who helped support the Hop.

Easter Eggs! Dairy free, egg free, gluten free, wheat free... but very chocolaty!

We have ooodles of options this year for those with allergies! So everybody can enjoy a yummy chocolate treat.

Here's a few options for you..

Cocoa's Chocolate hop

Although it's looking like Christmas today, in the warmth of Cocoa Spring has Sprung! To celebrate Easter (the most chocolatey time of the year) we are preparing for our first Ecclesall road 'Chocolate Hop' Easter hunt. (all the bunnies are talking about it)

 The idea first came about as we wanted something to unite the community around Ecclesall shops and celebrate the ones that aren't empty! So many have come and gone, we feel we need to remind people to shop locally so we can work together to build back the community round here. And why do that with chocolate!

 So we will start the hop on the 8th to the 12th April, between 10am- 5pm all day, let the Hop commence!

To take part in the fun, gather up your families, make your merry way down to Cocoa and pick up a game sheet. This will tell you all you need to know about the ‘Hop’. Work together to unscramble the clues around Ecclesall Road snooping in shop windows for the answers! (me and Kate in the sun before the snow, thanks Ian Smith                                for this pic)

When all the answers are solved you are invited back to Cocoa to exchange your answer sheet for a chocolate bunny and one lucky                 family will win a gigantic 4kg chocolate egg! 

                                           It's free to play.
                 Donations will be accepted and any profits will go to
                              Neurocare.

                Suggested dress code: Bunny Attire
                Hopping is encouraged throughout
                All children must be accompanied by an adult

 

Here are Cocoa ladies Beth & Evie working the bunny look.

Hope to see you there!

Tipple Tails

 With Mother's day in mind (it's the 10th March, not long!) in Cocoa we thought we would get some extra treats in. We stumbled upon Jane of Tipple Tails who makes delicious fruit cake. It's not your average dry fruit cake, her cakes are moist & crammed full of local ingredients, all soaked in award winning liqueurs. 

So what does Tipples tails mean?

Jane says: Tipple Tails is 'Yorkshire speak' for head over heels or bend over backwards to do something. At Tipple Tails, our philosophy is to do things really well, take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life and celebrate the things that matter most.

So there are two flavours, the first one is called 'Cherry Orchard' with Cherries & Almonds.

At Tipple Tails, even the packaging is sourced, produced & designed locally. Each detail carefully thought about.

The second flavour is called 'Ginger Tingle' with Ginger liqueur.

Both flavours available in Cocoa.

Cocoa LOVE hamper

So incase you weren't sure why all these heart shaped things were appearing amongst the snow, it's Valentines day this Thursday. 

In Cocoa we are giving away a LOVE HAMPER full of Cocoa treats for someone very special. We are asking our customers to nominate their favourite person and tell us why they deserve a Cocoa Love Hamper.

Kate and I will pick out a winner on the 14th.

 Here are the nominations so far...

 

To join in either pop in the shop and write your story on a tag or e mail from our website 

 My fave one at the mo...

And obviously we have loads of treats to shower your loved one with but here are my top 5 in Cocoa.

1. Hand-screen printed card by Alison Hardcastle

2. 'Sweets of my Sweet' shake crammed full of Cocoa sweeties

 3. Prestat box of chocs

4.New to Cocoa, 'English Rose Tea' with beautiful rose petals

 

 5. Handmade by Cocoadance a 'golden chocolate heart'

 However you choose to celebrate (or not celebrate) Valentines, I hope it is special to you.