July Elite Event: Chocolate Emporium

The chocolate emporium was a fab event, lots of lovely chocolate, xmas gift ideas free wine and plenty getting our gloves dirty!
Learned lots about chocolate and how much effort in heating and reheating goes into making a shiny chocolate bar!
Slightly been put off Green & Blacks now I know it has wax in it… but Im sure I’ll get over it soon enough!
Definitely taking a jaunt down that way for some truffles soon!

Chris very kindly asked me along to this elite event. I’m glad he did!
Its not a hard sale is it… «you fancy some free wine and chocolate»… I cant imagine there being too many nos.
It was good to meet some of the other inhabitants of the United Unilocaldom (Glasgow Branch) and to steal some of their branded goodies. I’m now a proud owner of a Unilocal Eccy Tin!
The chocolate tasting /​rolling class was great. I liked the informal atmosphere, there was a risk that this kinda thing could be stuffy and uptight, but the two chocolateers came across very naturally and were friendly and talkative all night.
The Chef was self taught and seemed very knowledgeable. Its inspiring to meet a man who is passionate. To have the drive and desire to start and run your own business based on the thing you love deserves the up-​most respect.
We didn’t get to try many of the shops ‘regular’ products, but i have been before and can assure you that they are of the topest of notches — I was a bit sticky after eating the banoffee pie… around the face obv.
I’ll def go back and encourage anyone with a sweet tooth to try it out.
And hopefully you’ll see me at some more Elite jollies.

I was kindly invited along to The Chocolate Emporium not knowing what to expect. I experienced this… melted chocolate, chocolate powder, chocolate drops… ALL IN MY MOUTH! Oh and let’s not forget the wine filled chocolate cups! And like a lady, I kindly asked for a 2^nd one.
This was my first Unilocal event and we were warmly greeted by all the attendees and Chris D :) There was a bustling atmosphere and a sense of excitement due to the fact we were gonna get chocolaty!!!
In my head, I was imagining Johnny Depp appearing, like in ‘Chocolat’…he didn’t, rage. However I soon got over it when I was rolling sticky truffles in my hand and dunking in cocoa powder! The 2 delightful chocolatier’s were full of passion and knowledge and have persuaded me not to touch a dairy milk again. I’m over on the dark side now.
Very much looking forward to the next event but I must urge you to go to The Chocolate Emporium (situated down the bottom end of Byres Road). The staff are lovely and the chocolate… well… :)

When Chris D said «Chocolate Emporium» I said YES.
And I was not disappointed.
The Glasgow Elite Unilocal event was sociable — thank you to The Weej Unilocalers for making us feel welcome! — and the most dirty fun you can have before that’s a whole other review site!
It’s tough to pick a favourite moment, however, the group of wine-​enchanced Unilocalers around the massive chocolate table with plastic gloves on while two of the girls had painted on choccolate moustaches has to be up there!
Similarly, the moment when I popped a sliver of chocolate on my tongue and realised it was lemon and nuts and white chocolate and ALL THINGS GOOD!!! These were lemon and white chocolate ganache, not dipped in chocolate but rolled in praline hazlenuts… you’ll need to give me a moment.
Not only that, but I would also recommend the chocolate making classes. They need a little finessing, however, they’re well on their way and these guys really know their stuff! With some history of chocolate, all sorts of pub-​quiz-​vital facts about the gooey lovely stuff, and details about how to make truffles at home, how can you possibly go wrong?
While we were all around the table, rolling ganache for dipping, I started to think about how mixology classes became all the rage for a while… I could see this gaining the same level of interest. Especially in the café space the guys have set up… I imagine this place is popular on weekends and could imagine it getting so full people had to be turned away!
What I think appealed to me most, however, was that the guys, despite their knowledge and abilities (and amazing chocolate!), still had a very chilled attitude (and I’m not just talking about the fridge, which had a lable on it saying «I’m the fridge. I’m so cool») and weren’t trying to make it pretentious or difficult. They were encouraging, explained what, when, how and the best this, that or substitute.
They just love making chocolate. It’s a good thing they’re damn good at it.

Another event on the Stimulant series. You would think that Chris likes to get a decent buzz on
Loads of familiar faces and some new familiar folks. Always a pleasure to meet folks who you have chatted through Unilocal messaging and compliments. Lovely surprise.
One of the things that have gently improved the past couple events is the inventive way that Chris gets folks involved. This was no exception. The chocolate makers provided excellent instruction and soon had the choco-​mad crowd churning out truffles. Unique, informative and bloody brilliant.
Hats off to Chris and his merry band of minions.
Excellent night.