A Cocktail of Chocolate
Over Easter we had a cocktail of chocolate to choose from and found a few home-grown companies right on our doorstep, offering great chocolate choices throughout the South-East.
Natasha Sutton, creator of AuBel Chocolates, based in Ashted in Surrey, has worked with chocolate since 1996 when she joined one of the UK's favourite chocolate manufacturers. 
All the flavours are derived from the ingredients themselves and no artificial flavour aids are added. Natasha sources her chocolate from suppliers who have a sustainable relationship with cocoa planter, to make sure that the cocoa is sourced ethically.
Additionally the chocolate is sourced from one of the best chocolate producers who work closely with the farmers using their well researched methods to obtain the best and purest flavour from the cocoa beans.
AuBel offer a wonderful selection of flavour combinations, and the chocolates (even the dark variety) are incredibly smooth and creamy. With beautiful bars, topped with almonds and cranberries, or sea salted chocolate topped with pistachio nuts, you will certainly find something to suit your palate - and your pocket. For fine chocolates, the price tag is very reasonable. www.aubelchocolate.com
Another local chocolate confectionery producer can be found in Goudhurst, Kent. Goupie make a "devilishly more-ish chewy chocolate confection with a hint of crunch". The wedges found in each box are perfect for popping along with a cup of tea, or coffee - and reminiscent of a very upmarket Toffee Crisp. 
We sampled three flavours: Lemon Meringue, Chilli and Espresso. And we couldn't decide which ones we preferred, so we ate them all! If you are looking for a bit more crunch and chew over smooth, silky chocolate then Goupie is a great choice. www.goupie.co.uk
And if eating chocolate wasn't enough, now you can begin to understand how it is made, and what goes in to its creation, with a Pachanka Chocolate Craft. Fine Origins Chocolate Making Kit and Hot Chocolate from Worthing, West Sussex.
The Chocolate Craft Kits make it easy to create premium quality, fine chocolate at home, in no time at all. Simply open the box and experience a voyage of discovery and adventure into the exciting world of chocolate making. Every kit contains step-by-step instructions for you to experiments with, making each chocolate recipe fun and simple to do.
This kit will dispel any myth that chocolate making is time-consuming or fiddly and in under an hour you can have delicious, healthy chocolate made in your own home. Free from gluten, dairy, nuts and refined sugar, the Pachanka Chocolate Craft Kits make chocolate fun for everyone. www.pachanka.co.uk