Sweet Little Things
We have a chocolate archive here - unfortunately it's not the real stuff, but we do have some yummy looking press surrounding the sector....
Chocolate has so many connotations outside of its sweet form. It's used as a celebration; birthdays, anniversarys, Valentines, Christmas, Easter, lunch breaks!
Chocolate is a loved product with people protesting their favourites and associating flavours with childhood memories and key moments in life. As Mars say it's "Pleasure you can't measure".
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| Mars - September 2003 |
From a humble little bean an entire industry has been built transcending
from ultra luxury, bespoke products down to the high street bars.
CADBURY
Founded in 1824 by John Cadbury, the confectionary brand started out as sellers of homemade tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Now owned by Kraft foods, they are the second largest corporation in the industry with products such as Dairy Milk (their best seller), Crunchie, Roses, Cream Egg and Buttons.
The 2010 Kraft takeover was controversial with much opposition. Todd Stitzer, Cadbury's Chief Executive at the time publically stated his dismay at Cadbury being bought. In 2009 he was quoted saying "We see this principled capitalism, which has been woven into the very fabric of Cadbury over the course of almost two centuries, as fundamental to our ways of working and part of our identity and success. Take it away or dilute it and you risk destroying what makes Cadbury a great company."
Despite this, Cadbury have flourished under Kraft and sales are up 4pc. Their 'Glass and a Half Full' advertising campaigns are always well received (who didn't try to emulate that eyebrow lift?) and we like their Dairy Milk website where you can discover 'Joyville' They've even bought out a chocolate cream cheese 'Cadbury Philadelphia'. As Philadelphia are also owned by Kraft, without the takeover this delicious (I'm told) product would never have been realised outside of a home kitchen and a cook with a penchant for a bit of cream cheese and chocolate in their sandwich.
Here are some Cadbury adverts through the years:
Advertising
When you're a chocoholic it's likely you don't need much in the way of convincing to get your fix, but advertising is a big game in this sector with alluring visuals tempting you to try a brand. A heady mix of liquid chocolate, purples, creamy browns, fonts that seem to melt with the product and an added fun factor - here are some adverts by confectionary manufacturers:
An Artisan Approach
Along with the likes of beer, the chocolate consumer will seek out an exciting alternative - new tastes to tempt their buds and to rave about to a friend. This enthusiasm for the product has allowed a crop of small, artisan chocolatiers to bring their creations to market and flourish.
What we love about chocolate is the way its presented. There's a real joy in visiting a chocolate boutique; rows and rows of intricate deliciousness, sweet smells, tasters, they all equate to a purchase that comes beautifully wrapped with packaging to give Hermes a run for their money.
With such a sensory loaded retail experience chocolatiers have created packaging and adverts to match. Here are some of our favourite visuals and stories from small boutique brands:
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| A Sweet Welcome by Roca |
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| 'The Apple' |
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| Rococo Chocolates by Chantal Coady - "Romantic, sensual and welcoming." |
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| Gu Chocolate ranges - founded by James Averdieck |
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| The Chocolate Society |
"Working in chocolate is a happy business. People forget their problems when they come in the shop"
- Russell Hind shop manager at The Chocolate Society
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| Kshocolat |
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| Choccywoccydoodah in Brighton, England |
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| Press feature on Artisan Chocolate - Chloe Doutre-Roussel (Centre) Russell Hind (Right) and James Averdieck - 2005 |
Paul A. Young
With a reputation as a 'flavour alchemist' Paul's chocolates focus strongly on herbs, alcohol and spices. His first shop opened in Camden Passage back in 2006 and he now has 3 in his name. Pitched as the only true artisan chocolatier in London, Paul prides himself on the freshness of his ingredients equalling an award winning balance of flavour and creativity.
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| Paul A. Young |
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| Team Paul A. Young - April 2012 |
William Curley Chocolate
William was raised in Methil in Fife. He found himself a job at Gleneagles at 17, where he became a pastry chef. After a stint in Belgium, he moved to Pierre Koffman's La Tante Claire in London, then Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons. He became the Savoy's youngest pastry chef at 27, before setting up his award winning chocolate shop in Richmond.
His chocolate shop serve couture chocolates and truffles with delights such as; fresh mint, mulled red wine, szechuan pepper and thyme and Scottish heather honey.
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