Kokova Magazine

The Chocolate Festival returns to Southbank Centre for its annual Christmas celebration on Friday 9th - Sunday 11th December 2011.

The festival offers an ideal opportunity to discover the goodness of real, artisan, fine chocolate as well of course as being a chance for total, justified indulgence and a perfect opportunity to bag some thoroughly irresistible Christmas presents.

The only problem will be bringing yourself to part with the gifts you’ve purchased so don't forget to treat yourself too!

Chocolate is a passion that deserves to be indulged and what better time than Christmas to celebrate the joy of chocolate and share it with your loved ones. This is a great day out to spend with family and friends, learning about how much more there is to chocolate than what you see in your local newsagent and supermarket.

As always, chefs and chocolatiers demonstrations, as well as tutored tastings will take place in the Chocolate Cookery Theatre coordinated by Chef and Culinary Expert Valentina Harris. (Full timetable of events will be updated on the website).

So come and be inspired and meet the people who are revolutionising the way we view and enjoy chocolate as they share their passions for creating the finest chocolates with the flavours that will send your tastebuds to places they have never been before.

And of course there will be dozens of stalls showcasing chocolate and chocolate products, such as hot chocolate, chocolate cakes, chocolate fudge, crepes with chocolate, churros with chocolate, chocolate pretzels, chocolate cocktails, a chocolate fountain, chocolate making kits and even chocolate savoury food!

This Christmas' Chocolate Festival is very pleased to welcome Edd Kimber, winner of BBC 2's Great British Bake Off, as its official ambassador.

I am absolutely thrilled to be representing this very exciting food event. Its fantastic to be working alongside such inspirational Master Chocolatiers who are so passionate and creative in everything they do. What makes The Chocolate Festival so special is that the organisers are equally as passionate and are creating a truly brilliant event that absolutely everyone can enjoy.

Edd Kimber

The festival's shiny new website will soon be regularly updated with interactive features, recipes, chocolate facts and competitions, as well as information about the festival itself – so make sure you log on and get involved with the chocolate movement now at www.festivalchocolate.co.uk.

Southbank Centre has a range of special festive events and concerts on offer, including many free events, making it a great day out for all the family this Christmas.

So put the date in your diary, log on to the website and indulge!