Follow & RT to win a box of your favourite chocolates

 

It's competition time again!

 To celebrate the launch of our new boxed chocolate range we are offering you the chance to win your favourite from the new range.
 
The new range are now for sale in store and through our mail order service (tel: 01706 822828) and will be online very soon! Each box contains 24 individual chocolates and they are priced at £12.00.

Choose from:
  • Salted Milk Chocolate Fudge (pictured)
  • Milk Chocolate Rose & Lemon Turkish Delight
  • 70% Dark Chocolate Pralines
  • White Chocolate Strawberry & Champagne Truffles
  • Milk Chocolate Crème Brûlée Truffles
  • Dark Chocolate Pâtes de Fruits
  • Dark Chocolate Gingers
  • White, Milk & Dark Assorted Chocolate Truffle Selection
 
The competition is open to anybody who follows us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/welovechocolate), & the prize is your choice from any of the above boxes of chocolates, which will be delivered to you anywhere in the UK.

  To enter the competition simply follow us on twitter (so we can tell you if you have won) & tweet or retweet this post. If you do not have a twitter account yet it is really quick & easy to set one up here http://twitter.com/

 The competition is open to UK residents only and will close at noon on Friday 4th November 2011.

 A winner will be selected at random and notified by direct message on twitter (please make sure you are following us so we can let you know if you have won!).

 Good luck!
*** THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED ***

  www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk

A great night at the Manchester Food & Drink Awards

 

We had a great time last Monday night at the Lowry Hotel for the annual Manchester Food and Drink Awards.
 
The Chocolate Café was voted 'Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining Venue' from an impressive list of nominees. To say I was surprised was the understatement of the year! The picture above shows myself (centre) and our Café Manager Stephen Ryan (with a tram coming out of his head) receiving the award from the Editor of City Life Magazine.
 
The awards proved to be a great night for independent businesses in the suburbs, and particularly Ramsbottom, which also saw our friends over at Ramsons win 'Restaurant of the Year'.
 
Coming just days after the BBC's Olive magazine named Ramsbottom as the 7th best place in the UK for Foodies, it underlines what a great time it is to come and eat, drink and shop in our beautiful town!
 
Here are the full list of winners and nominees:
 
Restaurant of the Year
WINNER: Ramsons, 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT


Shortlisted:
Damson, 113 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4HY
Michael Caines Restaurant at Abode, 107 Piccadilly, City, M1 2DB
The Mark Addy, Stanley Street, City, M3 5EJ
Gaucho, 2A St Marys Street, City, M3 2LB
Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, 21 New Cathedral Street, City, M1 1AD
 
Chef of the Year
WINNER: Laurence Tottingham & Mary-Ellen McTague, Aumbry, Prestwich
 
Shortlisted:
Bryn Evans, Rhubarb, West Didsbury; Ian Armstrong, Vertigo, City; Robert Owen Brown, Mark Addy, City: Pete Taylor, Room, City; Stuart Thomson, Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant and Brasserie, City.
 
Pub of the Year
WINNER: The Parlour, 66 Beech Road, Chorlton, M4 1LE
 
Shortlisted:
Bar Fringe, 8 Swan Street, City, M4 5JN
The Castle Hotel, 66, Oldham Street, City, M4 1LE
The Angel Pub, 6 Angel Street, City, M4 4BQ
The Briton's Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater Street, City, M1 5LE
The Nursery Inn, 258 Green Lane, Heaton Norris, Stockport, Sk4 2NA
 
Bar of the Year
WINNER: Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE


Shortlisted:
Black Dog Ballroom, Corner of Tib Street/Church Street, City, M4 1PW
The Alchemist, 3 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, City, M4 1PW
The Molly House, 26 Richmond Street, City, M1 3NB
Port Street Beer House, 39-41 Port Street, City, M1 2EQ
The River Bar, Lowry Hotel 50 Dearmans Place, City, M3 5LH
 
 
Newcomer of the Year
WINNER: Cicchetti, Ground Floor, House of Fraser, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QG
 
Shortlisted:
Australasia, 1 The Avenue, Spinningfields, City, M3 3AP
Bistro 1847, 58 Mosley Street, City, M2 3HZ
Port Street Beer House, 39-41 Port Street, City, M1 2EQ
The Rose Garden, 218, Burton Road, West Didsbury, City, M20 2LW
Vertigo, 36 John Dalton, Street, City, M2 6LE
 
 
Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining Venue
WINNER: The Chocolate Café, 2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HX
 
Shortlisted:
Jack Spratt, St James House, John Dalton Street, City, M2 6WH
Kebabish, 49, Hilton Street, City, M1 2EF
North Tea Power, 36 Tib Street, City, M4 1LA
Tampopo, 16 Albert Square, City, M2 5PF
Teacup on Thomas Street, 55 Thomas Street, City, M4 1NA
 
 
Best Food and Drink Retail Outlet
WINNER: WH FROSTS THE BUTCHERS, 14 Chorlton Place, Manchester, M21 9AQ
 
Shortlisted:
Barbakan, Delicatessen, 67-71 Manchester Road, Chorlton cum Hardy, M21 9PW
Bradley's Bakery, 225 King's Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 9EE
The Cheese Place, Unit 6, Radius Building, Prestwich, M25 1AY
J.A. Hyman (Titanics), 123-129 Waterloo Road, Cheetham, M8 8BT
Out of the Blue, 484 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 9AQ
W.H. Frosts Butchers, 14 Chorlton Place, Chorlton, M21 9AQ 
 
 
Best Wine List
WINNER: Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, 21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester, M1 1AD


Shortlisted:
Evuna, 277-279 Deansgate, City, M3 4EW
Gaucho, 2A St Mary's Street, City, M3 2LB
Michael Caines Restaurant at Abode Manchester, 107 Piccadilly, City, M1 2DB
Ramsons, 16-18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT
The River Bar and Restaurant, The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5LH
 
 
Best Family Friendly Venue
WINNER: Croma
 
Manchester Food Hero
WINNER: Katie Brunt and Gastroclub 

Truly Good Food
WINNER: Shlurp, 2 Brazenose House, Greater Manchester, Manchester M2 5BP
 
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
WINNER: Dimitri Griliopoulos
 
 
www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk

A Great Night at the Manchester Food & Drink Awards

We had a great time last Monday night at the Lowry Hotel for the annual Manchester Food and Drink Awards.
 
The Chocolate Café was voted 'Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining Venue' from an impressive list of nominees. To say I was surprised was the understatement of the year! The picture above shows myself (centre) and our Café Manager Stephen Ryan (with a tram coming out of his head) receiving the award from the Editor of City Life Magazine.
 
The awards proved to be a great night for independent businesses in the suburbs, and particularly Ramsbottom, which also saw our friend over at Ramsons win 'Restaurant of the Year'.
 
Coming just days after the BBC's Olive magazine named Ramsbottom as the 7th best place in the UK for Foodies, it underlines what a great time it is to come and eat, drink and shop in our beautiful town!
 
Here are the full list of winners and nominees:
 
Restaurant of the Year
WINNER: Ramsons, 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT

Shortlisted:
Damson, 113 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4HY
Michael Caines Restaurant at Abode, 107 Piccadilly, City, M1 2DB
The Mark Addy, Stanley Street, City, M3 5EJ 
Gaucho, 2A St Marys Street, City, M3 2LB
Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, 21 New Cathedral Street, City, M1 1AD
 
Chef of the Year
WINNER: Laurence Tottingham & Mary-Ellen McTague, Aumbry, Prestwich

 
Shortlisted:
Bryn Evans, Rhubarb, West Didsbury; Ian Armstrong, Vertigo, City; Robert Owen Brown, Mark Addy, City: Pete Taylor, Room, City; Stuart Thomson, Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant and Brasserie, City.
 
Pub of the Year
WINNER: The Parlour, 66 Beech Road, Chorlton, M4 1LE
 
Shortlisted:
Bar Fringe, 8 Swan Street, City, M4 5JN
The Castle Hotel, 66, Oldham Street, City, M4 1LE
The Angel Pub, 6 Angel Street, City, M4 4BQ
The Briton's Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater Street, City, M1 5LE
The Nursery Inn, 258 Green Lane, Heaton Norris, Stockport, Sk4 2NA 
 
Bar of the Year
WINNER: Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE
Shortlisted:
Black Dog Ballroom, Corner of Tib Street/Church Street, City, M4 1PW
The Alchemist, 3 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, City, M4 1PW
The Molly House, 26 Richmond Street, City, M1 3NB
Port Street Beer House, 39-41 Port Street, City, M1 2EQ
The River Bar, Lowry Hotel 50 Dearmans Place, City, M3 5LH
 
 
Newcomer of the Year
WINNER: Cicchetti, Ground Floor, House of Fraser, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QG
 
Shortlisted:
Australasia, 1 The Avenue, Spinningfields, City, M3 3AP
Bistro 1847, 58 Mosley Street, City, M2 3HZ
Port Street Beer House, 39-41 Port Street, City, M1 2EQ
The Rose Garden, 218, Burton Road, West Didsbury, City, M20 2LW
Vertigo, 36 John Dalton, Street, City, M2 6LE
 
 
Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining Venue
WINNER: The Chocolate Café, 2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HX
 
Shortlisted:
Jack Spratt, St James House, John Dalton Street, City, M2 6WH
Kebabish, 49, Hilton Street, City, M1 2EF
North Tea Power, 36 Tib Street, City, M4 1LA
Tampopo, 16 Albert Square, City, M2 5PF
Teacup on Thomas Street, 55 Thomas Street, City, M4 1NA
 
 
Best Food and Drink Retail Outlet
WINNER: WH FROSTS THE BUTCHERS, 14 Chorlton Place, Manchester, M21 9AQ
 
Shortlisted:
Barbakan, Delicatessen, 67-71 Manchester Road, Chorlton cum Hardy, M21 9PW
Bradley's Bakery, 225 King's Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 9EE
The Cheese Place, Unit 6, Radius Building, Prestwich, M25 1AY
J.A. Hyman (Titanics), 123-129 Waterloo Road, Cheetham, M8 8BT
Out of the Blue, 484 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 9AQ
W.H. Frosts Butchers, 14 Chorlton Place, Chorlton, M21 9AQ  
 
 
Best Wine List
WINNER: Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, 21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester, M1 1AD
Shortlisted:
Evuna, 277-279 Deansgate, City, M3 4EW
Gaucho, 2A St Mary's Street, City, M3 2LB
Michael Caines Restaurant at Abode Manchester, 107 Piccadilly, City, M1 2DB
Ramsons, 16-18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT
The River Bar and Restaurant, The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5LH
 
 
Best Family Friendly Venue 
WINNER: Croma 
 
Manchester Food Hero
WINNER: Katie Brunt and Gastroclub  

Truly Good Food
WINNER: Shlurp, 2 Brazenose House, Greater Manchester, Manchester M2 5BP 
 
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
WINNER: Dimitri Griliopoulos
 
 

How much did you know about chocolate? Here are the answers to our fun quiz

 

Questions:
  1. Which American company took over Cadbury in 2010? KRAFT
  2. Terry and Rowntree were traditional chocolate makers in which city? YORK
  3. Who wrote the book Chocolat? JOANNE HARRIS
  4. What year was the first Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival? 2008
  5. Which controversial novelist once worked as a copywriter for Aero, and made it 'irresistibble'? SALMAN RUSHDIE
  6. Tchaikovshy's 'Dance of the Mirlitons' was used to advertise which chocolate product? CADBURY'S FRUIT & NUT
  7. John Costello is the UK entrant in this World Chocolate Masters which is currently being held in Paris. Which UK town does John come from? BURY
  8. Which traditional Lancashire dessert is the inspiration for the Chocolate Cafés best selling chocolate bar? MANCHESTER TART
  9. Complete the slogan 'a........... a day helps you work, rest and play? MARS
  10. Prince William received a wedding cake made of chocolate digestive biscuits by which Stockport biscuit maker? MCVITIES
It's just for fun but feel free to post or tweet (@welovechocolate) any answers.

Scores:
10. Chocolate swot
7 - 9. Comfirmed Chocaholic
4 - 6. A good effort
2 - 3. Must eat more chocolate
0 -1. Don't call us, we'll call you

The Chocolate Cafe News August 2011

Here is our very first Chocolate Cafe Monthly Newsletter.
 
Whilst it might not win any awards for design I hope it will be a great way to engage with the 80% of our customers who do not use online social media. The newsletter is created in Microsoft Publisher, printed in store & given out to customers in the cafe & at events in Ramsbottom.
 
Any comments, help or advice on how we can improve it would be greatly received.
 
 

Children's Parties now available at The Chocolate Café in Ramsbottom

Starting from 1st August 2011 we are offering children's parties everyday from 4.30pm - 5.30pm at The Chocolate Café in Ramsbottom.
 
Parties are available from £7.50 per head and include: 
  • A drink of milk, milkshake or fruit juice each
  • A selection of sandwiches to share
  • A selection of chocolate fondues with fresh fruit, marshmallow & fudge
  • Balloons & party hats 
  • Goody bags of chocolates to take away are available from £3.50 per child
  • Handmade birthday cakes are available from £30 (serve up to 16), or you are welcome to bring your own
Suitable for all ages the minimum number of children is 6 & maximum number is 25. Booking is essential & places are strictly limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. To book call 01706 822828.  

Terms & Conditions:

- A supervising adult must remain on site for the entire duration of the party
- A £50 non refundable deposit is required to secure the booking with the balance payable on the day
- Parties start at 4.30pm & finish at 5.30pm prompt
 
To enquire or to book a party please call 01706 822828

 
www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk