Powered By Blogger

Wednesday 28 July 2010

COCOA MANIFESTO


Cocoa believes in.....

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY which is why we sell only the best chocolate, handmade in small batches, not mass-produced. We also keep a close relationship with the producers where possible.

SMALL BUSINESSES (well Cocoa is one herself). If there is one thing we can’t stand it’s massive supermarkets, who eat us small businesses up for breakfast and create a stale warehouse full of cheap products. We love individuality… unusual products that question the way we think about food, made from real food lovers…charming passionate shop owners who love their jobs and know their products…shops that make you feel welcome and are unique to their location.

SHEFFIELD and all its quirks, most fancy
chocolate shops are only recognised in London, well Cocoa is proud to come from Sheffield. We want fellow tourists to think of Cocoa as something distinctive to Sheffield and hopefully encourage them to come again.

THE COMMUNITY, well it’s the community that helps keep Cocoa running and so Cocoa loves to give something back with fun, friendly and free creative events like Knit club and Book club. Cocoa also likes to make friends with other Ecclesall road businesses and wishes to befriend all of them one day!

CUSTOMERS people like you and me! Cocoa always values her customers and wants to get to know you better over a cup of tea.

EVERYDAY TEA PARTIES no excuse needed for getting your best china out. Why keep such pretty cups in storage, we believe we give a new lease of life to the once unloved dusty teacups, so get your pinkies out let’s have a brew!

Tuesday 27 July 2010

KNIT CLUB

For over 2 & a half years, I (Kate) have hosted a knitting club. Every last Thursday of the month at 7.30pm, lots of lovely knitters (of varying ages and abilities) from all over Sheffield sneak into the Lounge or the Boudoir for an inspiring evening of creativity (and chocolate!). Here they sip cups of tea, have a chat (usually about knitting),tuck into some tasty chocolates and create beautiful things (usually socks).


Everybody is welcome to come along and get involved. You don't have to be an expert and it is fine to come alone (I try to be friendly and very welcoming!), you are bound to make some new friends. Just turn up between 7.30pm and 9.30pm with a smile and your needles!

CHOCOLATE LOCK-INS

Sneak into Cocoa on a Friday or Saturday night for a true midnight feast. Have the lounge or boudoir all to yourself as you & your friends devour a selection of truffles, Fancie cupcakes (Fancie.co.uk), sweets and unlimited tea & thick hot chocolate.



It's a perfect evening for a hen do with a twist, birthday party or just a catch up with friends. Just so you feel at home you are more than welcome to bring your own decorations, games, music or whatever else makes you feel special (maybe a tipple or two!)



Our Cocoa girls will be ready to top you up throughout the night and anything you can't squeeze in your belly, you can take home in your goodie bags for later. The perfect night out just became the perfect night in!

Wednesday 21 July 2010

CHOCOLATE TASTING EVENINGS

So every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Cocoa comes alive in the evening and we peel open the bars for a chocolate tasting. Everyone is welcomed with a delicious cup of Black Forest Gateau tea and then we start with the raw Cocoa beans.
After a brief history of all our chocolate heroes we eat 100% dark chocolate and sweeten up all the way down to milk chocolate then to white chocolate. We try chocolate from far and wide comparing Madagascan beans to Trinidad beans and all countries in between. We throw in a few old favourites for you to recognise and a few strange flavours for you to guess as well as a chocolate memory test. But everyone is a winner as you get to take home your own goodie bag for when you are ready for chocolate again.


We started these evenings back in 2007 and they have been booked up ever since. It's great for us to meet new chocolate fans and see the reactions to all the exciting chocolate bars. The evenings are very relaxed, don't worry we don't do pretentious! It's a great idea for a birthday party with a twist, hen do, work do or just an excuse to get together with friends and eat chocolate. But book soon as the waiting list is getting longer!