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### Jim's Corner & Question of the Week ###
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for sending me all your questions for Hotel Chocolat this week. I have indeed forwarded them all on to the appropriate people and hope to hear back with answers for you all very soon. In regards to the questions themselves I think we got a pretty mix which should provide us all with some entertaining answers.
I will try keep this short this week but I do have some news regarding another feature post that I will be putting together very soon. The theme is 'Gifting' and I will be offering my opinion on what chocolates are best to give on certain occasions. This again leads me nicely on to question of the week:
'What was the best/worst chocolate gift you have ever given or received?'
Now I said I will keep this short, so I will sign off here. Please keep sending me your opinions on the products I review - it's always nice to hear form you all.
Have a great bank holiday weekend
JIM
The ChocolateMission Omnibus:
The week started off with a small accusation of sexism on my part when I reviewed the Cadbury Snack Wafer. The sentence that ruffled the feathers of reader Jo can be seen in the comment section. Why not head over there yourself and pass an opinion yourself HERE?
This week also saw me get stuck into another three different products thanks to my pals at DGG. First off I tried the superb Lindt Raspberry and Vanilla Yogurt which seem to catch the eye of Claudia, Jen and Benedicte. A few days later things were not quite so rosey when I had the displeasure of trying the Lindt's Chocolat Provence Wild Fruit & Rosemary Chocolate ... it was indeed as bad as it sounds and readers like Phil were none to impressed with the proposition of chocolate and herbs.
Lastly yesterday I reviewed Moritz's Chocolate Ice Cubes which certainly split opinion with readers. One anonymous poster lauded the chocolates for their unique melting point, though Susanne was quick to add that the constituents of these chocolates makes for some scary thinking in regards to health and levels of saturated fat.
News from the Chocolate Market:
* Following PinkWrapperGate (See Monday Review) - Cadbury have announced that the Cadbury Flake will be sporting a pink wrapper in Asda for a limited period in support of Cancer Research. See HERE
* M&S recently did some research into the nations favourite sweets ... this makes for a good interesting read. See HERE
* Cadbury chocolate in New Zealand and Australia will soon be becoming fairtrade like our UK bars. See HERE
* McVitie's have accelerated the rate of growth in the Pouch market with the release of some new chocolate biscuit variants. See HERE
* If you want a Wispa Gold ... I suggest you head to Carlisle. See HERE
Post from other Blogs I enjoyed this week:
* Chocablog - Hotel Chocolat recently sent me across two selection boxes and it looks like Dom got tasked with reviewing some of the others from the range. For his Milk Chocolate Oblivion review. See HERE
* Foodstufffinds - Has had another busy week tracking down the latest products to be hitting our grocery shelves. It was these Walkers Jamaican Jerk Chicken crisps that caught my eye this week. See HERE
* ImpulsiveBuy - Marvo posted a load of reviews this week but it these Blue Benny Raspberry Vanilla Aspen Frozen Yogurt Granola Bars (phew mouthful!) really appealed to me. See HERE
* CandyBlog - Cybele got round to trying Tobelerone Fruit & Nut. She didn't think all that much of the chocolate but seemingly I am not the only one to love the triangular shaped blocks. See Here
* GiGiReviews - GiGi finally reviewed something that wasn't even worthy of giving a rating ... presenting Claim Jumper's Shrimp Scampi. See HERE
Sunday, 30 August 2009
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15 comments:
I like recieving those chocolate selections at Xmas - the Mars or Cadbury ones with all the different bars in.
The most expensive gift I have ever given is one of hotel chocolat's big slabs. That went down well with the missus.
I find Hotel Chocolat very handy for gifts because they look flash and are easy and quick to order online and have delivered which saves a lot of messing about. I'm afraid you'll kill me but I actually don't like their chocolate much myself! Doesn't stop me sending it to family, friends and my business contacts for all kinds of occaision though...
I once gave a friend a load of white chocolate toblerones wrapped in a ribbon because she was obsessed by them. It made her very happy. I like making stuff for gifts though, like this amazing (if I do say so myself) flourless chocolate cake. I think people appreciate the effort you've made (especially for me, since I can scarce turn on a microwave let alone bake).
The best I've recieved has to be the enormous box of chocolates my mum brought back from Belgium. It was from apparantely the oldest chocolaterie in Bruge (called sukerbuyc, I think there's a website) and was incredible.
If I am gifting chocolate I usually just head to Thorntons. They have something suitable more often than not.
Their continental truffle selection is always a favourite.
Rxxx
Can't beat a box of milk, white and dark Thornton's Continental.
;-)
It is funny how happy I always am when my b/f jus buys me a Freddo :) it never fails to put a smile on my face. I guess I just must be cheap lul
Maggs
Any gift that is chocolate based can put a smile on my face regardless of what it costs. flowers and chocolates are they way to my heart :D
Dxxx
It was my birthday a few weeks ago and my sister bought me this superb dark chocolate library collection thing from Hotel Chocolat.
I looked it up on there website it was quite pricey which surprised me since she is normally a bit of a cheapsakte lol I did let her have quite a few nibbles to say thanks hehe
David
I know the ones you mean re: Mars and Cadbury Selections! They are indeed cheap but they are great stocking fillers.
Hazel
Woah woah woah! There will be no killing on this site :) everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am sure there are a fair few more people who don't like HC chocolate don't you worry about that. I always welcome different opinions - it is what makes the site interesting!
Lottie
I like the Toblerone idea - they always looks neat as a gift.
You say your microwaving skills aren't up to much!? Type '5 minute microwave mug cake' into google! I tried it the other day ... it was actually pretty awesome.
If you stumble across that website do share!
Rachel
I have gifted chocolate from Thorntons quite a bit. Im not I would anymore though as I think some of their range is becoming a little tacky. If I wanted to impress someone I don't think Thorntons would seem quite as prestigous as it may have done a few years ago.
Lily
You may have to kick my ass soon as I still haven't managed to get myself a Thorntons Summer Collection box of my contact there. I'm not sure they are speaking to me after some of the not so positive reviews I have been giving them! Woops! I will try again though.
Maggs
It is funny how the smallest things sometimes can put a smile on someones face. It isn't always about grand gestures and expense I guess.
Daisy
I don't want to get accused of being sexist again so I won't dare say that sounds very familiar ... woops I just did!
Steven
I have reviewed that actual collection on the site. Take a look under the Hotel Chocolat tab and you should find all the reviews backdated to last year. It had some really fine chocolates in there.
Thanks everyone
Jim
I'm racking my brains and I can't quite remember the best chocolate gifts I've ever received, there's been so many.
But as for the worst I've given, considering your latest Thorntons review, it may be the same mint bar that I recently gave to my mum as part of a birthday gift (I also gave her the strawberry one). She never said if she liked it or not so I may ask. I just assumed it'd be a nice gift because she seems to like After Eight. I also gave her the Thorntons Mint Collection at Xmas, she never really said what she thought of that either. Hmmm I may have to reconsider giving Thorntons chocolates as gifts in future!
Phil
Phil I wouldn't worry chap. I think people always look on things far more favourably when they are gifted and they haven't paid for them. Like you though I might start looking away from Thorntons and gifitng some more extravagant chocolates. I hope you like the idea of me doing a gifting post before Christmas ... it should bring up some nice suggestions.
Thanks
Jim
Hey Jim
guess what - I've just had a Wispa Gold! lol I spotted them in my Sainsburys Local! It was gorgeous I have to say - rich golden flowing caramel as only Cadbury can make it over the Wispa base! I was amazed to see them so early but I'm glad I did! :)
Alan
Haha I can tell that made your day! Good stuff. I have been assured that my samples will be here by the weekend so expect a review on Monday! Good times!
Thanks
Jim
I had a Wispa Gold today as well! They were given ample space in Sainsbury's, and everywhere at the checkouts you could spot them, so the advertising really seems to have done a good job. Looking forward to your review!
Susanne
Sounds as if JS have been flexing their retailer power again. Working in FMCG I know how these things work. I bet Cadbury have struck some sort of deal with them ... For example to get the Wispa Gold on a two week exclusive I bet they had to allocate extra shelf space to Cadbury or will have to give them some great off shelf feature for their next promotions! They won't have got this promotion for free I tell ya!
I am looking forward to writing this review now - I look forward to your inputs.
Thanks
Jim
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