I am passionate about fine chocolate. The discovery of the cocoa tree, Theobroma Cacao ('Food for the Gods') and its fruit, the cocoa bean, has to be one of the most wonderful results of the magic of alchemy. This intoxication and fascination with chocolate brought me to launch my own business: Amelia Rope Chocolate Ltd.
Having always been interested in the world of food and cooking I found myself captivated more and more by chocolate and after attending a course at Valrhona in France, 'Les Bonbons de Chocolat', there was no looking back. Immersed in chocolate day and night and living amongst 3kg bags of chocolate pastilles from different geographical orgins, and varying cocoa percentages led me to explore further the world of chocolate and guided me to becoming a chocolatier.
The allure for me, though, is more than just the delightful deliciousness of sampling a small daily piece from the palette I store in my fridge, but the significance of the whole portrait. This portrait is composed of the remarkable history of chocolate: with the dawn of the cocoa bean from the Atzecs and Mayans and their cacao traditions, the discovery of the different cocoa bean varieties, their geographical orgins and the communities and cultures involved, all of which influence the kaleidoscope of taste, through to the creation of the chocolate houses run by their revered chocolatiers.
This leads to the essence of my focus: education. Not only for children but all generations, as one is never too old too learn! Opening the chocolate treasure chest lid and joining the 'chocolate trail' proves a fascinating voyage for all ages and also allows for something of huge importance in this day - health and weight maintenance. There can be benefit from sampling a small piece of pure unadulterated high quality chocolate as satiety is achieved with ease, leaving behind sugar rushes, nausea, hyperactivity and the inevitable panic of excess weight gain. Having battled with my weight in my teens and twenties, I can totally empathise with being overweight and the constant struggle it poses. Try though replacing your fix of cheap highly processed chocolate with a smidgeon of yummy top end chocolate and I am sure you too will discover this is a great aid to bidding farewell to unwanted weight. I have never looked back with eating my daily prescription of high quality chocolate as well as, of course, regular exercise and trying not to over indulge on too many occasions!
As my friends and family know, creativity also plays a strong part in my life which is expressed in the making of my Chocolate Truffles and 'Grand Cru' Chocolate Dipped Crystallised Rose Petals, Pansies and Mint Leaves.
Follow me through my website and allow your taste buds to be seduced by chocolate...