Meet Kathryn

COCOA ENCOUNTERS

Sharing the joy of fine chocolate

I’m not all about dark chocolate, in fact, if I was sent to a desert island and could only take one bar of chocolate, it would be a milk bar.

Specifically, Soma Old School Milk made from partially ground Venezuelan Chuao cocoa nibs, milk powder and crystals of organic cane sugar, the central chocolate aroma takes me right back to my childhood and my memories of the creamy, comforting taste of milk chocolate.

I am, however, all about fine chocolate. I describe myself as a chocolate animateur. My intention is to make fine chocolate come alive by relating it to people's passions, interests and concerns, be that fine food, fine wine and spirits, art, literature, health or simply the desire to make the world a better place.

I was brought up on Cadbury Flake, Wispas and Minstrels, but chocolate has changed. We can now choose from hundreds of artisan chocolate makers who source fine cocoa beans to make bars with flavour profiles that rival the quality and variety of fine wine, tea and coffee.

We just need to know it is out there!

Get in touch

MY INSPIRATION

My Chocolate Journey

Fifteen years ago, my sister’s partner—a chocolatier in Yorkshire—introduced me to the concept of single-origin chocolate. At the time, the UK was experiencing a craft chocolate revolution.

This was the start of my journey.

From there, I found the French makers, Michel Cluizel and Valrhona and dark chocolate that I actually wanted to eat!

Then I found my local chocolate maker, Duffy's Chocolate, making chocolate from the bean and was blown away by the nuanced flavours I found in the different Central and South American origins.

I explored different makers, styles and price ranges but found it a little difficult to navigate and I wasn’t sure if I was tasting in the right way.

So I did some courses and I tasted as much chocolate as I could afford. I also introduced chocolate to my book club and set up a local tasting club.

Fast-forward to today, and I am a certified chocolate taster, international chocolate judge, and chocolate educator. I deliver workshops, curate tastings, pair chocolate with literature, and design educational materials to inspire others to discover the pleasures of craft chocolate.

Yes, chocolate can, if you let it, become a bit of an obsession but I haven’t met anyone (or not that they will admit to me) that hasn’t been grateful to have been introduced to fine chocolate.

Book a Cocoa Enocounters Experience

MY AIMS

The world of fine chocolate

The chocolate industry draws you in. It’s full of the most amazing people: makers, growers, academics and educators, all with a tireless passion for their work and a genuine willingness to share their experience and expertise.

I don’t have a culinary background but through chocolate, I have discovered tastes and flavours I never knew existed and developed a deeper appreciation for fine food and drink.

I have also found a way of making a difference. For now at least, the world of fine chocolate has the same drive and passion for change as I do; it has an honest commitment to sustainable farming practices, fairer trade, the empowerment of women and represents an alternative to mass consumerism and the dominance of multinational corporations.

Through my work and the Cocoa Encounters blog, I aim to remove any perceived barriers to enjoying fine chocolate and encourage an exploration of the people, places, craftsmanship and sensory experiences of this new chocolate landscape.

Follow me as I continue my chocolate journey and discover more passionate companies and people along the way.

Enjoy!

Kathryn