Here's an interesting little story about Angus Kennedy, 49, who is known as a chief taster for some of the biggest confectionery makers in the world.

He claims to have realized the astounding the power of chocolate at a very young age, and it has never failed to fascinate him. He claims that munching on chocolate could be the solution to myriads of global issues. For one, chocolate makes people happy.

He said, "I’d love to go in the House of Commons when they’re all arguing and tell them to chill out and give them a bar of chocolate each. I’m convinced that would work."

You could say his life is straight out of Roald Dahl’s book Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. His late father, John, was editor to Kennedy’s Confection magazine, one of the oldest trade magazines ever, first published in 1890. He said his father used to refer to him as ‘Little Charlie’ and that they always got goodies.

Unfortunately, his dad died when he was 10 and his mother became an alcoholic.  His daily grind involved him and his mom being alone at home. “We had nothing. Living in that environment changes you forever, even at that age,” he says.

But this all led up to creative use for chocolate.  Angus says there was a time when he used chocolate to get bailiffs to go away. Chocolate was his means of survival; he had it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And the power of chocolate has stayed with him through the years.

Another childhood memory, “is trying out for the football team aged 11 and the girl I really fancied was watching,” he said. He may have missed a penalty, but he gave that girl some chocolate afterwards and boy did he win her over.

Angus now lives in an 11-bed home in Kent near his Willy Wonka-ish workshop, and the bulk of what he does involves traveling the world sampling cocoa treats.

He said, “I’m incredibly lucky. I’ve been everywhere from Japan to America and all over Europe and can proudly say I have visited more chocolate factories than anyone else in the world.”

“Chocolate is a statement of freedom. It is saying, ‘I'm going to eat whatever I like, even though I know it’s naughty.’ I think there's something quite romantic about that."

• 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