Blog Post

Chocolate and Macaroon Activity Days

Ilze's Chocolat • 7 May 2017

Now that the summer season is about to start, most of us are looking for things to do outside of our normal workplace, activities that would perhaps develop a new skill, provide relaxation or create a setting for friendships to develop. And what better way to achieve all three those things than to participate in a chocolate or macaroon workshop!

Ilze has been offering chocolate and macaroon workshops for several years, with great success. The formula is very simple: the workshops are usually held on a Saturday in Northwood, Middlesex, and numbers are limited to no more than 6 to 8 at a time. That way, there is enough space and time for all to be able to actively participate and to received personal assistance in the learning process. And of course, it would be hard to fit more people around a normal dining room table!

So how does this work? Usually we start at 10 am on a Saturday with a cup of tea or coffee and an introduction to what would be done on the day, as well as an explanation of the recipes that would be used. We then go through the preparation steps together: we will show you and you will actively participate. The setting is relaxed; no competition, no rush. If we are not able to have a good conversation while we are working, we are probably going too fast! Somewhere around 2 pm, we break for a sit-down lunch; usually by that time most students welcome the opportunity to relax over a meal!

For the chocolate workshop, we will also include a basic tasting session, to sensitise your taste buds to the important differences between "real" (couverture) chocolate and the more inferior "bake stable" chocolate products. We also want to make you aware of the different "tastes" of the chocolate and how you can use it in the preparation of fillings (ganaches) for our chocolates.

Finally: whatever you make during the workshop, you get to take home!

Please note: During May 2017, we will be running a special offer for our customers who have signed up to our "My Treat" programme: Enrol three participants on a workshop and pay for only two. Why not sign up to "My Treat" now?

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Chocolate Bar Relaunch - Episode Three

by Ilze's Chocolat • 16 May 2021

Our dark chocolate bar with flamed raisins soaked in port are now also available online in the 95g format.

Chocolate Bar Relaunch - Episode Two

by Ilze's Chocolat • 9 May 2021

The launch of our 95g snack-sized hazelnut and orange bars - in milk and dark chocolate. The dark chocolate is vegan friendly.

Strawberry infused white chocolate bar with freeze dried strawberry pieces

Chocolate Bar Relaunch - Episode One

by Ilze's Chocolat • 3 May 2021

We are launching a series of smaller snack-sized chocolate bars, and the first one is this strawberry infused white chocolate bar with freeze dried strawberry pieces.

Save with our new Loyalty Programme

by Ilze's Chocolat • 12 November 2020

At the moment, most of us need to be careful how we spend our money and still be able to buy all the treats that we would like to. So we have implemented a loyalty programme whereby you can earn points with every purchase, when you refer a friend, or when you post about us on Facebook or Twitter. These points can then be converted to discounts on your next order. In fact, by simply registering on the program, you will already have earned 100 points, which take you halfway to the first reward at 200 points! So how does it work? 1. Welcome bonus: 100 points! 2. You get 3 points for every £1 you spend on our website. 3. Share about us on Facebook or Twitter, 50 points each. 4. Subscribe to our mailing list, 50 points. 5. And you can earn more points buy adding your birthday or referring a friend. And what are the rewards? Today, we announce three rewards: 1. 200 points: Free shipping on your next order,... 2. ...or 10% off on your next order. 3. 400 points: 20% off on your next order. Yes, if you place a large order for all your Christmas chocolate gifts, the 200 points that you earned just by registering and placing a first order can bring a very substantial saving. If you want to know more, just click on the orange icon with "Rewards" written on it on the right hand side of your screen (this presents as a round orange icon on smartphones).

We are still open

by Ilze's Chocolat • 8 November 2020

Our shop in Eastcote remains open for takeaways during this lock-down period. So if you are able to come to the shop, we continue with our two special offers for pick-up; please have a look and place your order! If you have enjoyed some of our light lunches or treats in the shop during the last months, you may perhaps feel that you have "lost" something during lock-down. The good news is that we continue to offer these as takeaways. Better still, you can order it online for a specific pickup time and collect with minimum waiting time. Please see what we have on offer . But if you are unable to visit our shop, remember that our online store continues to offer our full range of chocolate and macaroon products. Do have a look!

The Rewards of Focus

by Ilze's Chocolat • 14 October 2020

"Hi there, I just wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful anniversary macaroons my husband received last week. I ordered your largest box & they were quite simply demolished within hours! Seriously we love a macaroon & we have tasted many over the years over afternoon teas. These are by far the tastiest , chewiest, yummiest, scrummiest macaroons we have ever had! We will be placing regular orders for these divine treats you so preciously create. Even the way they arrived in their packing was just simply perfect! Thanks again - already thinking of an excuse to order some more?! Kindest Regards, Holly" Isn't it just wonderful to get feedback like this? Such an email makes it possible for us to continue, even amid all the negative news brought about by the pandemic. Then again, if one decides to focus on something and you constantly strive to improve (in our case, chocolate and macaroons), then after 14 years you are bound to gain the edge; that is the reward of your focus. But we want to share our treats with more of you and encourage you to share it further by offering it as presents in a time when everyone needs encouragement. That is why we have two very special offers for those of you who are able to visit our shop or who are able to order online and collect from us.