Popular chocolate schools, workshops and tasting experiences have been relaunched by Coco Live at the company’s new premises in Llanidloes.
Groups of up to 30 people are welcomed to the Coco Live workshops at Parc Derwen Fawr. The company can cater for families, schools, community groups and organisations as well as for the more serious and ambitious chocolate makers.
Chocolate schools were halted for two years during the pandemic, but founder Lori Whinn has relaunched them with plans for a couple of charity workshops, with the proceeds going to Village by Village.
The Ghana charity, which works to reduce child poverty in chocolate growing areas, has a vision to ensure that children have access to clean water, basic sanitation and a chance of a better life through education.
Coco Live comprises a team of experienced chocolate makers who pass on their skills to participants at hands on, fun events.
Events range from a ‘Chocolate Experience’, where chocolate bars and shards are made and decorated, through to making filled chocolates and truffles with a selection of caramel and ganache fillings.
The company has also hosted themed chocolate events, making delicious and stylish seasonal specialities for Valentine’s Day, Easter and Christmas.
Workshops can be tailored to special dietary requirements, such as vegan and for celebrations, including birthday parties or family celebrations.
“Our informal approach, encouraging bowls to be scraped and spoons to be licked, is
a hit with everyone,” said Lori. “After all, chocolate tends to bring out the inner child in all of us!
“We have made chocolate with people of all ages – from four to 90 plus, and it’s a fun and tasty experience all round. It is a popular group activity for societies and families, and we also plan monthly ticketed workshops so that individuals or smaller groups can come along.
“If chocolate making isn’t your thing and you prefer to experience a tutored chocolate tasting with information about how chocolate is produced, that’s also available from our chocolate school.”
Believing the chocolate schools will be popular with visitors to the region, Lori has joined MWT Cymru to promote them.
MWT Cymru is an independent membership organisation that represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
