Indulge your sweet tooth

Women in Chocolate

Throughout history, chocolate has always been a male dominated industry. Women have tended to work in the background, working menial jobs in factories or in cocoa plantations. But, I’m happy to say, times have significantly changed and now women are at the forefront of the some of the best chocolate on the market. Here I celebrate just a few of these pioneering women:
Diana Short – Lick the Spoon Chocolates

Kicking off with some homegrown talent, Diana Short (along with her husband, Matthew) started her chocolate empire back in 2006 when her sons were just 5 and 3. Producing chocolates that have been enjoyed by two Prime Ministers, members of the Royal family, and the stars of television, film, and West End Shows, Diana’s family-run business connects closely with cocoa farmers and chocolate makers in Madagascar and supporters of Raisetrade. You can buy her chocolates in Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Selfridges, and she has won multiple chocolate awards including a whopping 3 Great Taste Awards in 2019. What a woman!

Chantal Coady OBE – Chocolate Expert

This chocolatier, author, and businesswoman was awarded an OBE from the Queen in June 2014 for ‘services to chocolate making’, a long-held ambition of my own. She founded the luxury Rococo Chocolate brand and turned it into an international company, before selling it on. She also co-founded the ‘Chocolate Society’ and ‘Academy of Chocolate’. She now describes herself as a Chocolate Expert, Brand Consultant, Mentor, and Coach.

Donna Hay – Chef and Cookbook Author

I am a huge fan of Donna Hay’s simple and delicious Chocolate cookbook that has become an absolute classic. Featuring 60 simply beautiful recipes, it could be the only chocolate cookbook you’ll ever need. Donna has written 26 award-winning cookbooks, she has sold over six million copies worldwide, with the books translated into 10 languages and she was named one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cookbook authors at the international Gourmand Awards.

Meg Hago – Raw Halo (View Website)

Raw Halo believe chocolate should make you feel good. That’s why they make delicious vegan, raw chocolate bars from ethically sourced, plant-based ingredients, sweetened with coconut sugar and sustainably wrapped. It can be found in Waitrose, Ocado and Holland & Barrett. Meg Hago launched Raw Halo in 2015 after deciding to move from a successful career in corporate HR into the world of entrepreneurship. After adopting a refined sugar free diet back in 2012, Meg was inspired by her passion for eating well, and combined with her love of chocolate, the idea for Raw Halo was born: healthier, more natural, better-quality chocolate made from organic plant-based ingredients.

Louise Attenborough – Chocolate Collective

And a cheeky little addition… myself!! I founded Chocolate Collective after searching high and low for someone who offered children’s chocolate parties for my daughter. There was a huge gap in the market, so I seized the moment and Chocolate Collective was born. I started out by offering the Deluxe Chocolate Truffle-Making Workshops in Greater Manchester, before word spread and I was able to expand my team and locations to cover Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol. I am hugely proud that Chocolate Collective is now trusted partner to some of the biggest names delivering experience days, including Red Letter Days, Into the Blue, Buy a Gift, Experience Days, plus many Hen and Stag agencies.

Chocolate
Ashleigh

We booked to do the deluxe chocolate workshop for my sister’s hen do. We all had a wonderful time and the staff couldn’t be more helpful/enthusiastic. We all felt extremely safe given new social distancing guidelines and the truffles that we made were delicious. We were all so happy with the new skill we came away with that some of us have put it to good use since!

Ashleigh
Lisa

I just want to say a HUGE thank you, our chocolate workshop was amazing. The workshop was informative, practical and fun. It was the perfect recipe for an unforgettable hen event. Louise, our hen, was over the moon. So huge compliments to you and your team! I will certainly be spreading the word about Chocolate Collective.

Lisa
Connie

Louise put together a fantastic workshop that was relaxed, fun and tailored to the group. We had a brilliant time and would definitely book again for another occasion.

Connie
Nissi

Louise looked after us really well, everything was nicely organised and we had a great time eating a LOT of chocolate and getting messy. Felt like kids again!

Nissi
Kathryn

Thank you so much for you and your colleagues efforts to help make our hen party day so special. We all had a fantastic time on Saturday, it ran really smoothly and I've had some great reviews back from everyone so thank you!!!

Kathryn
Tejal

Just wanted to say we all had a fabulous time yesterday at the deluxe hen chocolate workshop. The truffles are great and I will definitely enjoy making them again!

Tejal
Sarah

Thank you so much for the Chocolate Class for my hen party. Everyone had a brilliant time, and we all had a real laugh during the class. The chocolate we made was good, and everyone I have spoken to since, really enjoyed them. A big thanks to Rizpah too, who ran the class on your behalf.

Sarah
Sophie

We recently attended a fantastic day with Chocolate Collective as part of my best friend’s hen do. It was so much fun and the whole group enjoyed it although we were all different age groups.

Sophie
Jess

What a brilliant day on Saturday! We had such a laugh and I am rather impressed with all our creations! Louise was great at explaining stuff and very patient when some of our truffles didn’t quite go to plan? Thoroughly recommend!!

Jess
Hollie

Just a quick message from me and my hens .... we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves yesterday. Thank you so much for making our day so very special it was fantastic we all really enjoyed it. I'm sure there won't be many truffles left today ha-ha!

Hollie
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