Yael Rose has loved chocolate pretty much all her life. She finds Zen in drinking a cup of hot chocolate or munching on cocoa nibs. "To be honest, I think it’s an addiction," she said. "There’s something about the smell and colors of chocolate I simply can’t resist every single time."

She took this intense love for chocolate to a pro level and became the director of The Chocolate Festival. This event will be happening in Brighton, London and Oxford around Christmas and Easter. It will be all about chocolate and it's taking place down London's Southbank Center Square (Belvedere Road) from December 9 to 11, 2011.

The ongoing affair will be presenting more than 30 stalls that offer a selection of delectable chocolates, from hot chocolate to artisan truffles. Plus, you can try most of them for free! People who visit can also get the chance to have chitchat with renowned British chocolatiers such as Paul Wayne Gregory, Bill McCarrick, William Curley, and Damian Allsop to learn a thing or two about chocolate.

Furthermore, you can take advantage of the free tutored tasting, talks, and culinary demonstrations in the Chocolate Cookery Theater with the culinary expert Valentina Harris. Top names in the chocolate world such as Chantal Coady who founded Rococo Chocolates, chef Steve Walpole, and the authors Rachel de Thample and Signe Johansen. Even people with health conditions like Celiac Disease and Diabetes can join the fun as the demonstrations will include recipes that are free of gluten, wheat, dairy and sugar.

Visitors will also be able to learn professional and top-of-the-line culinary techniques and recipes from Rococo Chocolate and Sir Hans Sloane Chocolate during "Masters of Chocolate" Day on December 10. This will only cost £5 per head.

"Even when I am at the festival, after days of eating chocolate, I find it hard to resist if a chocolatier offers me a taste," Ms. Rose said.

So gather up chocophiles there in London! This event doesn't happen every day so why not take advantage of it?

• Author
• Recent Posts

Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

Latest posts by Joanna Maligaya (see all)

• Whipped Cream Chocolate Frosting Recipe - December 3, 2014
• Chocolate Hazelnut Cake Recipe - November 26, 2014
• Broiled Banana Chocolate Pudding Recipe - November 19, 2014