Chocolates and Valentine’s Day go together like Meghan and Harry. But, let’s face it, a box of Milk Tray just isn’t going to cut it. These days it’s all about artisan, and what could be more handmade than homemade?
Working with chocolate isn’t entirely straightforward, it’s true. Professional chocolatiers have specialist equipment to ensure perfect, shiny confections. But Lisa Clarke at The Chocolate Tart cookery school in Somerset is determined to show her students that professional looking chocolates are perfectly possible, and a lot of fun, to make at home.
For the past three years, Lisa and I have been making a box of chocolates every February to auction for the charity Galvin’s Chance, which supports disadvantaged young people to train for work in restaurants and hotels. Our box is on sale alongside others by chefs including Tom Kerridge, Jeremy Lee, and the charity’s founders Chris and...