Fall In Love With Chocolate

“There is nothing like a friend, except a friend with chocolate” – Charles Dickens

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and irrespective of whether you hate it or love it, it’s a perfect time to indulge yourself or someone else with chocolates. I’m not a chocoholic but admit they are my weakness. I’ve indulged at Laduree, Rococo and La Maison du Chocolat so I’m not including them here because frankly you can waltz down your high street for those. Here are my top picks of fine boutique chocolatiers:

William Curley

10 Paved Court, Richmond-Upon-Thames Surrey TW9 1LZ

Everyone in Richmond knows William Curley.  Chocoholics flock to this store in Richmond Green or the Belgravia boutique. William has been awarded Britain’s Best Chocolatier by the Academy of Chocolate for 5 consecutive years 2007 – 2011. William’s style is a mixture of classic French techniques and Japanese flavours with mesmerising displays. William has a range of tempting Valentine’s treats of couture assortment or truffles beautifully boxed from £7.50 to £69.99. The black forest cake is amazing. For true addicts, William also runs chocolate and patisserie courses: www.williamcurley.co.uk

Bachmanns Patisserie and Chocolate Creations

6 Criterion Building, Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0SS

Established in 1989 by Ernst Bachmann, one of the UK’s finest patissiers, Bachmanns has been spoiling Thames Ditton with the finest hand crafted desserts, gateaux and chocolates. You can tell a lot about a patisserie by the bread it serves and the raisin and rosemary bread is unbelievably good and award winning. Patisserie aside, the team at Bachmanns are truly talented at chocolate and their selection beautifully presented and reasonably priced. I love their Florentines and Champagne Truffles. Perfect for any occasion: www.bachmanns.co.uk

Demarquette

285, Fulham Road Chelsea SW10 9PZ

Demarquette is a family run, independent enterprise established by British born Master Chocolatier Marc Demarquette in 2005. Like other chocolate shops, the store is pretty and their boxes bright. You can expect the usual suspects of truffles and other exotics. I highly rate their house blend hot chocolate, it is rich and comforting: www.demarquette.com

Theobrama Cacao

43 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick London W4 1RG

I always save my favourite for last and though it is slightly afield in Turnham Green, it is well worth the journey. It is the best chocolate I’ve ever had in London. Big call I know but there’s something understated, non-glitzy about this store and the design of the chocolates. The selection is so pretty and varied that you are spoilt for choice but believe me, there isn’t anything that doesn’t melt in your mouth and give you that perfect chocolate rush. There is tender loving care in every bite. If you’re after something with wow factor and a shoe good enough to eat - the leopard skin stiletto at £33 will be a decadent treat: www.theobroma-cacao.co.uk