Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival - life is sweet!
Chocolate Cafe
EASTER and its annual indulgence of chocolate eggs is nearly upon us but up in the hills they are getting in there first with another celebration, which will delight the sweet-toothed.
It was explorer Christopher Columbus who first introduced chocolate to European shores in the 16th century and since then we have never looked back when it comes to our addiction to the substance which was seriously indulged in by the Aztecs thousands of years ago.
Doctors now concur that chocolate is actually ( in moderation) good for you as it counters everything from depression to heart disease so all in all there are many reasons to head north of manchester to Ramsbottom where, on Sunday, April 5, the first ever Chocolate Festival will be taking place.
It’s a family-oriented event and there will be everything from chocolate related stalls, to lots of demonstrations and free tastings.
Delicious chocolate truffles
John Slattery, from the award winning Slattery Chocolatier’s, in nearby Whitefield will be sharing his secrets of a simple way to create delicious chocolate truffles that you can make at home.
And Mike Harrison, award winning local chef from Zest Fine Food, will be creating more unusual main courses using chocolate as the vital ingredient.
The demonstrations will start at 11am at Market Place and they are being held at regular intervals throughout the day. It is here that you will also find many stalls selling chocolate goodies to take home.
Other highlights of the day include an Easter Egg Design Competition featuring three-feet high papier-mâché eggs which have been designed by local schoolchildren.
World record attempts
And there is also spectator sport in the shape of world record attempts to imbibe as much Ferrero Rocher as you can in one minute. The current record is seven in one minute and the competition starts at 2pm
On a rather higher cultural plane, the town’s Real2Reel Cinema will beshowing the film, Chocolat, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, at the Civic Hall at 4pm.
Throughout the day, costume character Charlie Chick, official mascot for the festival, will be wandering the streets of Ramsbottom entertaining the general public, and further entertainment will be provided in the shape of face painting for the kids and acoustic music by the Jill Fielding Band.
All day long, you can also indulge in chocolate delights in Ramsbottom’s cafes and restaurants - most notably the Chocolate Café.
Ramson'schocolate-themed menu
Other venues taking part include Room 54,The Cultured Bean and the Village Bakery. Award-winning Ramson’s Restaurant will also be offering a nine-course chocolate-themed menu for the gourmet end of the market (£50 a head or £90 per couple).
Special treats which will be on offer at various outlets include hot chocolate fondue, award -winning Chocolate Torte, chocolate puddings, cakes, cocktails with chocolate and even beauty products which are laced with the stuff.
The fun starts at 11am until 3.30pm and all in all it promises to be an event not to be missed The East Lancashire Railway is even running a special “Chocolate express” which will be travelling from Bury and Rawtenstall at various times throughout the day. Passengers will be able to sample a selection of chocolates and enter a prize draw to win a chocolate hamper.
FACTFILE:
Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival
Sunday April 5
Market Place, Ramsbottom
From 11am to 5pm
Published: Wed, 02 April, 2008
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