Hotel Chocolat, the luxury cacao grower and chocolatier, unveils its new bakes and savouries collection across its key North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire stores: Harrogate, Leeds Trinity, Leeds Springs, and Ilkley (which is set to open late September). This enticing new offering evolves from the successful Velvetiser Café concept and features an array of entirely new recipes created in-house by Hotel Chocolat’s expert Development Chef, David Demaison. These delicious treats are based on dishes from the renowned restaurant at Hotel Chocolat’s cacao farm in Saint Lucia and are inspired by the brand’s exquisite chocolate range.
The vibrant collection of chocolate and savoury creations are designed to delight at breakfast, lunch, and every other moment in between. Wake up to a flaky Chocolatine, with two of Hotel Chocolat’s sophisticated, high-cacao chocolate batons encased within. Enjoy lunchtime with an authentic Rabot Original savoury pastry, available in three different variants. Elevate the afternoon with a Beyond a Brownie – luxuriously chocolatey and loaded with fillings inspired by the brand’s best-loved chocolates.
True to its innovative spirit, Hotel Chocolat approached its new bakes with the same precision as their chocolates, even opening Boar Lane Bakery in Leeds to ensure the highest quality. Hand-baked daily, these creations promise exceptional taste and texture, reflecting the brand’s commitment to excellence and attention to detail.
The new café collection comes as part of Hotel Chocolat’s broader commitment to expanding its UK presence. Alongside the café collection, the company is set to open 25 new stores across the UK next year, creating 200 new jobs. This expansion has been complemented by a £10 million investment in its manufacturing plant, which will generate an additional 50 jobs.
Ian Mackie, head of Velvetiser Café says: “This launch represents a significant milestone for the Velvetiser Café, as we expand our offerings to include a diverse and delectable menu inspired by our commitment to quality and innovation. Each item is crafted with care and precision, using the finest ingredients sourced responsibly, reflecting our dedication to ethical and sustainable practices. We cannot wait for our customers to experience the unique flavours and the exceptional quality that define Hotel Chocolat.”
David Demaison, executive development chef, notes: “We spent months obsessing, finessing, and taste-testing (of course), before settling on just the right ratio of chocolate to pastry, and more. Now, our imaginative menu is ready to savour. A collection of chocolate and savoury creations designed to delight at breakfast, lunch, and every other moment besides. Wake up to a flaky Chocolatine, with two of our sophisticated, high-cacao chocolate Batons encased within. Spend your lunchtime with an authentic Rabot Original savoury pastry, in one of three recipes. And elevate your afternoon with a Beyond a Brownie – luxuriantly chocolatey and loaded with fillings inspired by our best-loved chocolates. I look forward to seeing our customers enjoy these new offerings, which are a true testament to our passion.”
Hotel Chocolat Café Collection Highlights:
- Beyond a Brownie: The brownie that goes above and beyond. Luxuriantly chocolatey and loaded with fillings inspired by our best-loved chocolates from our wall of chocolate. Available in three delicious flavours:
- The chocolatier’s choice: inspired by our signature 70% house grade dark.
- An outrageously smooth and nutty ode to our best-loved Dizzy Praline.
- A whole amaretto-soaked cherry in luscious white chocolate ganache.
- Baton Chocolatine: Available in three delectable flavours: 70% Dark (Our rich, signature 70% dark takes centre stage), Raspberry-White (Zingy raspberries tamed with creamy 36% white), and Orange (Zesty orange, crispy feuilletine and 50% milk). Each feature two silky-smooth high-cacao Batons, nestled within buttery croissant dough. Baked fresh every morning.
- Hazelnut Crownie: More than a cookie, more than a brownie – it is the aptly named Crownie: abundantly chocolatey and packed with the finest Piedmont hazelnuts.
- Rabot Estate Banana Bread: A nostalgic, cacao-rich creation inspired by our original Rabot Estate recipe and crafted at our Boar Lane bakery in Leeds.
- The Dunking Pastry: As drinking chocolate advocates, we set out to invent its perfect partner – in pastry form. Enter the Dunking Pastry. Precisely crafted to be flaky enough to pull apart; sturdy enough to dunk, swirl and savour.
- Cacao Pod: A cacao pod-inspired pastry lined with a choice of dark or white chocolate, filled with our famous Cocoa Whip, and finished with molten chocolate drizzle, a milk shard, and crispy pearls. Personalise your own in store.
- Chocolatier’s Carrot Cake: Our Carrot Cake Selector reimagined as an actual cake, layered, and topped with light-as-air cream melded with our molten 36% white chocolate.
- Our Rabot Original Savoury Offerings: Inspired by original dishes served at our Rabot Estate restaurant and reimagined, our savoury menu includes Caribbean Chicken Curry, Soufriere Spinach, Mushroom & Ricotta, Piton Pulled Pork, and Cortés Goat’s Cheese & Caramelised Onion.
Hotel Chocolat continues to uphold its ethical and sustainability values through initiatives like their Gentle Farming program, which supports cacao farmers in Ghana with sustainable farming practices. Now in its third year, the Gentle Farming program provides 2,500 farmers in Ghana with on-farm support, including pruning, provision of fast-growing shade tree saplings, and fertilizer application. Additionally, the program shares knowledge to improve cacao yield while encouraging soil health and biodiversity on farms.
This commitment to sustainability has been reflected in the new café offering as each bake and savoury item has been crafted with the finest ingredients, sourced responsibly to ensure both quality and ethical standards are met. By supporting sustainable farming practices, Hotel Chocolat not only delivers exceptional products but also contributes to a positive impact on the environment and farming communities
The new Hotel Chocolat Café concept will roll out in-store at Leeds Trinity, Leeds Springs, and Harrogate stores from Thursday 1st of August and eager Ilkley shoppers will be able to visit the new store from late September. Hotel Chocolat will be offering surprise and delight moments to customers who purchase on opening day, as well as 20% off
Pop into your closest café to find your new favourite. Which will you try first? For more information, visit: www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/bakes
