Salon du Chocolat meets Chocolate Unwrapped at Olympia London
Nine years ago Kate Johns brought us the first ever London Chocolate Week, with just four chocolate shops taking part.
Three years ago Kate brought us Chocolate Unwrapped, which created a focal point to the end of Chocolate Week - and a place to visit and buy for those seeking out chocolate on another level.
Last weekend the creator of Chocolate Week and Chocolate Unwrapped and her team at Nudge PR joined forces with an international organisation to bring to us the most incredible chocolate show the UK has ever seen, Salon du Chocolat - London.
Hosting more than 23 chocolate shows around the world, with the biggest taking place in Paris, 
Salon du Chocolat was this year's grand finale of Chocolate Week, with the best UK chocolate companies exhibiting alongside international brands, with demonstrations, talks and hands-on workshops from the UK's top chocolatiers.
Whilst the Salon is a major player in the world of events, Chocolate Unwrapped was emerging as a national treasure, a not-so-secret world of wonder and experience, focusing on a collective of smaller, less known chocolatiers such as Friis-Holms, The Chocolate Tree and Chocolate Naive, alongside those already established names such as Artisan du Chocolat, Paul a Young, Rococo and Divine.
This collaboration now paves the way for many more chocolatiers to expand their audience, gaining from the popularity of the Salon - while the Salon itself will hopefully become more available for the less well-known but equally qualified individual chocolate makers.
Guests at the VIP Gala Evening were entertained and delighted by a collection of models wearing chocolate coated outfits, complete with solid chocolate accessories - as well as a preview around the stalls to view some of the chocolates and sweets the weekend had to offer.
The first London Chocolate Fashion Show designs swayed more towards chocolate-coated and inspired rather than solid chocolate made but next year could see those creating for the catwalk becoming more adventurous in their design and execution of chocolate-made fashion. For 2014 the show may also benefit from the addition of a raised runway to give everyone a clearer view of all the creations - because if 2013 has laid down the yardstick, next year the crowds will be needing a lot more space.
The show offered not only an insight into the real world of chocolate - a million miles away from anything that you will find on your average chocolate counter at the local garage or shop - but also great discounts only available throughout the event, with most exhibitors handing out samples of their chocolate to try before you buy.
Live demonstrations by talented chocolatiers and chefs, tasting sessions and talks from chocolate makers as well as over seventy stalls full-to-bursting with chocolate in an unbelievable combination of designs and flavours all goes to make Salon du Chocolat 2014 a firm date in everyone's diary.
For more information visit www.salonduchocolat.co.uk - www.chocolateweek.co.uk