Wood Row Chocolate
Chef Simon Woodrow and partner Jessie Forbes left the restaurant industry (they’d worked together for a long time at The Leaping Hare near Bury St Edmunds) during lockdown to pursue a new passion – chocolate!
Their business, Wood Row Chocolate, has gathered apace in a short space of time, bringing together Simon’s palate and eye for detail, and Jessie’s talents as an artist. Each one of their chocolates is a glossy piece of art.
Wood Row’s first ever Christmas calendar is £45, containing 24 different flavours, encased in a beautiful card frame designed by Jessie. You’ll have to get your skates on to nab one of the last few – though their winter collection box of 24 (£32.50) will still be available.
A few of Simon’s highlights include Mince Pie, Cranberry, Mascarpone & Gingerbread, Pumpkin & Ginger, Baileys & Nutmeg, Clove Caramel & Marzipan, and Biscoff.
Salt and Sugar Art
Brazilian native Mayara Zanote’s colourful creations have gained her a bit of a cult following locally.
Hailing from Sao Paulo, Mayara studied engineering originally, but chocolate has always had her heart – after all, her mum used to run a chocolate factory.
After locating to Diss for her wife’s job, Mayara decided to delve into her more creative side, taking her knowledge of chocolate-making, and combining it with the precision required for engineering to launch Salt and Sugar Art.
Her calendar this year is £38.50, and includes two of her favourite flavours (Chai Latte Caramel and Peanut Gianduja) alongside Amerena Vanilla & Amaretto Biscuit, Caipirinha, Coconut, Cookies Gianduja, Espresso Coffee & Condensed Milk, and more. Her gianduja panettone are also available, priced from £12.99.
B Chocolates
Anna McCreadie’s chocolates, crafted in east Suffolk, are wonderfully decadent. A highlight of the collection, and the brand’s original creation, are her honey sea salt caramels. Delicately chewy, a touch floral from the honey, and enrobed in thick, dark, luxurious chocolate – they make the perfect present.
Pre-orders have closed for her advent calendar (make sure you get your order in before November 10 in 2023), but her boxes of 24 seasonal truffles, caramels and bon bons are still available to order. Fillings range from Pecan Caramel or Rum & Raisin, to Marc de Champagne, Prune & Port, and Honey & Gingerbread Caramel. The boxes are £26.
Lifetime of Chocolate
Young chocolatier Chloe Saterlay started her cocoa-based endeavours in 2021...and her feet have barely touched the ground since.
Her advent calendar, designed in the shape of a cutesy gingerbread house, has now sold out (get your order in during early November next year) but it’s full steam ahead with her Christmas Box. Priced at £22, it is stuffed with 24 creamy ganaches – Baileys Caramel, Milk Orange, Peppermint Crunch and Prosecco. Get your orders in now and you might be able to get a box before advent begins.
Her Christmas collection also includes some lovely little stocking fillers, from chocolate lollies (£2) to reindeer hot chocolate bombs (£3).
The Pod
Family chocolatiers The Pod are one of the few makers on this list to have a high street presence. Pop into their store on Union Street in Harleston and your senses will be overwhelmed by the rich aroma of cocoa.
They have a huge collection, with lots and lots of choice for those following a sugar-free or dairy-free diet. All the chocolate couverture is sourced ethically from producers who are part of the Rain Forest Alliance. And packaging is environmentally-friendly too.
Their box of 24 seasonal chocolates is £28.50 - each one containing truffles flavoured with Brandy & Orange, Salted Caramel, Mulled Wine, Whisky, Gingerbread, and Black Forest Gateau.
Look out too, for marzipan chocolate puddings, cherry and kirsch liqueurs, dark chocolate peppermint creams, and peanut butter honeycomb snowballs.
Saffire
Saffire's shop enjoys a prime position in Norwich’s glorious Royal Arcade - designed by renowned architect George Skipper.
A lot of time and thought has gone into this year’s collection of advent calendars, which are £25.50 and available online, in store, or at Hepworth Christmas Market on November 27.
The luxury calendars come in four options – mixed, no nuts, no alcohol, and no nuts or alcohol, so there’s something for everyone. Customers even get to choose between three different calendar picture designs.
Staff favourites in the calendars range from a Red Wine truffle made with Romanian red wine sourced via Tastebud Wines from a boutique vineyard, to Captain Morgan White Rum & Banana, Strawberry (with real strawberry puree and freeze-dried strawberries), S’mores (filled with marshmallow fluff and Biscoff spread), and, loved by customers, the Peanut Crunch.
Maldon Chocolates
Found at Poppyfields Retail Park between Sandringham and Hunstanton, Maldon Chocolates is a labour of love for Mike Simons and his team, who make a vast range of confections for the shop, as well as selling fine Belgian chocolates.
The shop’s calendar for 2022 is £21.50, in three designs, each one lavished with their own bars, figurines and loose chocolates, alongside a few Belgian surprises.
Look out for their chocolate hampers, which make fabulous presents too.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here