Ideas to help you celebrate February 14th….

Posted on February 4, 2012 by admin

Every once in a while we all deserve a treat and if Valentine’s Day reminds us to do something nice and special, whether it be on our own or with a special person, then in my book that’s fantastic!   It’s all too easy to continue working really hard but we sometimes need a reminder that we are allowed to stop and have fun too!    So I’ve listed a few local companies below who can either provide you with that special gift for yourself or a loved one, or where you can buy the gift of a gift experience – and the best thing about these is that they don’t have to be limited to Valentine’s Day treats. 

  • Why not visit MakeMe Workshops in Cobham’s Medicine Garden.  The location is wonderful, very welcoming yet peaceful and serene;  a perfect way to spend a few hours with friends or on your own.  You may choose to have lunch at the Medicine Garden café and take part in one of MakeMe’s many workshops.  Workshops range from photography to learning how to design your own garden, cake making and decorating to furniture decorating; the list is almost endless.  Take a look at the website at MakeMe Workshops There is something for everyone. 

 

  •  Chasing Beads is a local company who design and handcraft fashion/costume jewellery that you can’t normally find on the high street.  Their pieces are made from their studio in Surrey using the highest quality beads and components.  They also take commissions or can make modifications to their current range to fit your requirements.

 Chasing Beads also host jewellery parties in the comfort of your own home so you and  your friends can enjoy browsing through their range whilst perhaps enjoying a glass of wine or two.  Alternatively you may like to try jewellery making yourself.  Chasing Beads offer either 1:1 tuition or they can teach up to groups of 10.  For further information click here.

  • If the love of your life can be described as dark, rich and intense then at Sara Jane Chocolates we have the perfect treat for you or your Valentine!  Why not treat yourselves to the gift of a Sara Jane Chocolates Chocolate Workshop?  Just bring yourselves and we will provide the fabulous chocolate, all ingredients, a tasting of 3 chocolates from our handmade chocolates collection and as much tea, coffee and cake that your heart desires.  The place is Epsom, the date is Saturday 10th March and the time is 9.30am.  You will take away with you a fabulous gift box of 18 Champagne Truffles.  Contact Sara at Indulge@sarajanechocolates.co.uk to buy a gift voucher and secure your place.

Wishing you all a Happy February 14th

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10 Top Tips for making a Caramel

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin

Making a caramel can be tricky so here are my 10 top tips for a successful caramel every time:

♥ Boil cream in a seperate pan and allow to cool

♥ In another pan melt your sugar little at a time

♥ Keep hob on lowest setting to avoid your sugar burning

♥ DO NOT stir your sugar (you will be sorely tempted but resist!)

♥ If the temptation to stir the sugar is too much lift the pan and swirl the sugar over the melted liquid

♥ Only when the sugar has melted stir the liquid on the hob until all the grains have dissolved

♥ Add your glucose

♥ Quench the sugar liquid with cream – little at a time as this will spit

♥ Finally add your butter and stir

♥ KEY TIP – Allow lots of time – never try to make a caramel in a hurry!

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CHOCOLATE SURPRISE

Posted on January 16, 2012 by admin

Forgive me but I am slightly behind on my blogging so for this post you need to take yourself back to the end of 2011.

I was asked to host a private chocolate workshop for 4 ladies. We agreed the date; it was going to be on a chilly Sunday afternoon in early December. It had to be within a given timescale as one of the participants was doing some research into Chocolate and its origins and that was one of the reasons for the workshop. The other reason was also very valid – a ladies get together pre Christmas.

The day of the Chocolate Workshop came and the ladies arrived. At this stage I will say that I am incredibly fortunate to be lucky enough to do what I do. I have the opportunity to meet lots of really lovely people and I get to talk to them about my passion – CHOCOLATE.

As the ladies came in there were a few giggles and I soon learnt that one of ladies didn’t have a clue why she was here and on route the others had been pulling her leg about where she was going and what they were about to do. She seemed positively relieved when I explained that they would be making chocolates for the afternoon.

The ladies did a wonderful job of making their chocolates and decorating them. There were lots of laughs during the decorating stage as it became very evident that they were competing against each other for the best looking box of chocolates!

Shocking pink boxes selected and bows tied, the ladies left with their very own hand made, hand decorated truffles delighted with their creations.

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Introducing our Sea Salted Caramels

Posted on January 12, 2012 by admin

Sea Salted Caramel - Our newest chocolate to join the collection

The newest Chocolate to join our collection is our Sea Salted Caramel.  Made using only the freshest finest ingredients it is going down a storm.  Recent feedback includes: 

◊ your salted caramel was an absolute winner! 

◊ We really enjoyed your chocolates and they vanished really quickly!  Everyone agreed that they were gorgeous – the caramels being the number one favourite.

To celebrate the introduction of this new ”choc in the box” we are offering boxes of 12 Sea Salted Caramels for the introductory price of £9.00.  To place your order simply email us at Indulge@sarajanechocolates.co.uk.

  Order by 8th February for Valentines Day ♥

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When in France…..visit Chocolate Shops!

Posted on January 6, 2012 by admin

I have always loved going to Europe and for me an extra special reason to pay our neighbours a visit is to also take in the fabulous local chocolate shops.  Why is it that France and Belgium have wonderful chocolate shops on every corner and as soon as you enter the shop you are greeted with the most amazing aroma.  I could never enter one of those shops and leave empty handed! 

On a recent trip to Normandy where we were enjoying a wonderful family holiday I persuaded (not much persuasion needed!) Mr C and juniors to accompany me to a visit of the Michel Cluizel factory and the uttterly fantastic shop.  

 

Michael Cluizel imports cocoa from Venezuela, Java, Ghana, Madagascar and Ecuador, and produces his chocolate in the plant in southern Normandy.  With cocoa percentages ranging from 33 to 99, there is something for everyone.  The problem is being able to resist the temptation of buying one of everything!

On arrival at the plant you can follow the exhibition which teaches you all about chocolate and even shows you some of the old equipment that was used.  You can then watch a short film about the creation of Cluizel’s chocolate and the family behind the brand.  It really is amazing and very enjoyable.  After that the tour takes you through the factory itself where you see some of the employees making huge quantities of chocolates by hand.  I watched through the perspex screen for ages until I really couldn’t expect my family to stay any longer!

Overall it was totally brilliant and if you are ever remotely near enough to justify a visit then you won’t be disappointed.  Michael Cluizel’s chocolate has got to be ranked within the best in the world.

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Gift Vouchers are now available for our Chocolate Workshops

Posted on November 14, 2011 by admin

The perfect Christmas present

If you are looking for a gift for someone special then we think we can help.  No we are not going to simply suggest that you buy that special person a box of delicious handmade chocolates, much more than that – we are going to suggest you give them the gift of a Sara Jane Chocolates CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP GIFT VOUCHER. 

This fabby present not only gives them a box of gorgeous chocolates to take home with them at the end of the workshop, but they get to make and decorate the chocolates themselves.

Each gift voucher will be valid for a period of 12 months from purchase and can be used for any of our open workshops.  The voucher can be purchased for a monetary value specified by you which can be used as part payment towards the cost of the chocolate workshop, or the voucher can be for an individuals place at the workshop.   Just let us know which you would like.

During 2012 we will be hosting 6 open workshops all of which are being held in Epsom, Surrey.  The first one is booked for Saturday 3rd March 2012 and it is our PURE INDULGENCE workshop.    During the workshop the participants will: 

♥ Enjoy a fascinating talk about the cocoa bean, its origins & history, and how it becomes a chocolate bar from a bean

 ♥ Learn how to temper chocolate

 ♥ Create a delicious Champagne Truffle filling

 ♥ Fill, dip and decorate 18 Champagne Truffles

 ♥ Chocolate tasting of 3 different chocolates from the Sara Jane Chocolates Collection

 ♥ enjoy tasting some of  the finest single origin chocolate from around the world

This workshop is priced at £40 per person and lasts for approx. 2.5 hours.

The remaining workshops will be held in April, May, October, November and December. 

So to give a gift of a Chocolate Workshop simply call us on 07794 584 608 or email: Indulge@sarajanechocolates.co.uk  We look forward to hearing from you!

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CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP SATURDAY 3RD MARCH 2012

Posted on November 5, 2011 by admin

Up until recently we have focused on providing private Chocolate workshops for groups of individuals.  However such is the demand and the requests in our mailbox(!) that we are now delighted to be hosting a number of Chocolate workshops throughout 2012 which are open to everyone. 

These workshops will take place in Epsom, Surrey and the first date we are offering is Saturday 3rd March 2012 where we will be hosting a Pure Indulgence Chocolate Workshop.  During this workshop you will:

 ♥ Enjoy a fascinating talk about the cocoa bean, its origins & history, and how it becomes a chocolate bar from a bean

 ♥ Learn how to temper chocolate

 ♥ Create a delicious Champagne Truffle filling

 ♥ Fill, dip and decorate 18 Champagne Truffles

 ♥ Chocolate tasting of 3 different chocolates from the Sara Jane Chocolates Collection

 ♥ enjoy tasting some of  the finest single origin chocolate from around the world

So, if you would like to come along on your own or with a friend or two we would love to see you.  We are confident that you will have a great time but don’t just take our word for it.  Some of our recent testimonials include: 

* Thoroughly enjoyed the workshop – highlight of my half term.  Tutor was really friendly, helpful and encouraging – Rosie

* Workshop was excellent, professional, accessible and clear – a perfect anniversary present.  – James

 * Workshop was fantastic – the most fun I’ve had in ages! – Lianne

The workshop will last for approx 2.5 hours and the cost per person is £40. 

At the end of the workshop you will be delighted with your finished Champagne Truffles which you can gift wrap and take home.

How to book your place on our Pure Indulgence Chocolate Workshop……. simply call us on 07794 584 608 or email: Indulge@sarajanechocolates.co.uk   We look forward to meeting you!

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Chocolate Hen Party

Posted on August 28, 2011 by admin

“Hi Sara, I just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for all of your hard work yesterday. Everyone absolutely loved it and was still talking about after layers of tapas and sangria.  It was absolutely brilliant.  The day was fab and felt so much more personal than some of the other chocolate making courses out there. Thank you for your support and patience.  Many many thanks”  This was the feedback I was delighted to receive last week after hosting a great fun chocolate hen party for a really lovely group of friends. 

The ladies requested the Pure Indulgence Chocolate Making workshop which involved them learning how to temper chocolate, discovering how chocolate is made and then making their own Champagne Truffles.  As well as cake and refreshments being available during the afternoon the ladies brought with them a number of bottles of bubbly….I can definately see a trend here! 

They also sampled 3 chocolates from our collection: Pacific Spice, Nutcrunch and Apricot and Aniseed.  One of the comments I received about these was “I know where to look for some special chocolates now – I am struggling to describe the gorgeousness of the pacific and apricot and aniseed”.

After making the truffles the ladies hand dipped them and decorated them using a variety of different finishes to create a fabulous extravagant appearance – some of the truffles were decorated with gold dust which gave the chocolates a real WOW factor.

If you would like to book a Chocolate Hen Party or any other Chocolate event contact us today.  We would love to help!  Email: Indulge@sarajanechocolates.co.uk or telephone 07794 584608

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Chocolate Making Hen Parties

Posted on August 28, 2011 by admin

I was delighted to host another Chocolate Making Hen Party for a small group of four ladies.  We kicked off at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon and the fun began.

The agenda for the afternoon was to make Champagne Truffles.  The girls came armed with two bottles of bubbly – it was a hen party after all!

On arrival I greeted them with a glass of pink bubbly and talked them through what we would be achieving during the 2.5 hour party.  We then kicked off and started to make the filling for our truffles.  We discussed chocolate facts, the girls sampled 3 different chocolates from the Sara Jane Chocolates collection as well as sampling single origin chocolate from around the world.  As if the calorie intake wasn’t enough already there was also chocolate tiffin’s and fruit cake  during the afternoon.

After making the Champagne filling the girls piped this into the chocolate shells before sealing the shell and then decorating the truffles using wonderfully indulgent melted chocolate.

The afternoon came to an end before we knew it.  The girls had had a great time and had learnt a new skill.  They were delighted with their Champagne Truffles and loved the very bright pink girly chocolate boxes.

Feedback from the hen party included:  “Thank You, I had a lovely time.  The best bit was learning about chocolate and rolling the truffles“. 

So if you love Chocolate and you would like to hold a Chocolate party for a Hen Party or any other occasion we can help.  Call us on 07784 584608 to discuss your requirements.  We can cater the party around you and even create a bespoke agenda.  We would love to hear from you!

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White (Chocolate) Wedding

Posted on June 15, 2011 by admin

I recently had the pleasure of making chocolates for a bride and groom who were getting married in Surrey.  They had seen us at the Epsom Racecourse Wedding Fair and loved our chocolates and beautiful favour boxes.

Their wedding was held at Woodlands Park Hotel,  Stoke D’abernon. 

For favour’s they had requested pink handbags for the ladies and cream top hats for the gents.  Inside the favour boxes we placed 1 white chocolate raspberry ganache and a white chocolate champagne truffle. 

For the children I was asked to make my monkey lolly but in white chocolate.  This is the first time I have been asked to do this but I was really pleased with the result, it looked great.  It was a huge hit with the children too!

I’m delighted to say that the couple had a wonderful day and were so pleased with our chocolates and favour boxes. 

The bride gave us this feedback  “We were absolustely delighted with all of them.  I woke up and went down to the room where the table was laid and they looked so pretty. The childrens lollies were gorgeous. In fact the kids ate them and would not eat their dinners. It was funny.  I have kept a couple of the boxes in with the other memories of the day, in fact i ate 2 of them today.  So thank you so much for doing them for us. We couldn’t have wished for anything more”.

If you would like to talk to us about making chocolates for your special occasion please call on 07794 584608 – we would love to help make your occasion truly special.

 

 

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