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*** Jim's Corner ***
Hi All,
Phew!!! What a week of chocolate reviews :D In case you missed anything let me fill you in what we have got through this week ...
Day 1 - Chocri Jim's Winter Warmer
Day 2 - Jim's Buyers Guide Part 1
Day 3 - Hotel Chocolat Chocolate Canapes
Day 4 - Jim's Buyers Guide Part 2
Day 5 - Heavenly Cakes Chilli Brownie
Thanks for all the feedback and input on all these reviews/guides this week :D It's been a battle getting everything up before Christmas - judging by all the comments it was well worth the effort.
This is the last '7Days of Chocolate Reviews' before the end of the year. It will return in 2011 better than ever - I already have plans for a whole new 'Stars & their Bars' aswell as a competition that I will run in January to clear out some leftover samples from 2010.
Review posting winds up on the 24th this year, at which point I will take a week off to charge my ChocolateMission batteries after this hectic Christmas run up! Until then lets go 100 mph - I hope all my UK readers are surviving the latest bout of weather!
JIM
*** News from the Chocolate Market ***
* Nestle have announced they are bringing back the Aero Orange bar ... See HERE
* Nakd have launched a new healthy snack range - perhaps I should take a look at these in January ... See HERE
* Now these are intriguing ... McVitie's announce the launch of Hobnob cookies ... See HERE
* Sad news at this time of year with the closure of a factory that makes one of the UK's most renowned Nestle products ... See HERE
* I think The Independent need to check out ChocolateMission if they want the lowdown on some of these 'crazy Kit Kat flavours' ... See HERE
* According to this site - 'Thinking about chocolate makes you thin' ... yep I cringed at that to ... See HERE
***Blogs I enjoyed this Year***
GiGi Reviews - Gi really stepped up the quality of her site this year. The products featured are wonderfully random, but the photo quality and writing detail in precise as anything ... See HERE
The Impulsive Buy - Marvo has recently made some new additions to his Impulsive Buy crew. If 2010 is anything to go by, 2011 will be another exciting year of product reviews from these guys ... See HERE
CandyBlog - Cybele's site continues to set the standards for Candy & Chocolate reviewers. Her photography is the best in class and her grasp of the English language is second to none. I can't say too many nice things about CandyBlog ... See HERE
Chocablog - Dom and co. continue to do a fabulous job covering all corners of the globe with their fantastic chocolate reviews. There are some very talented writers over there, I suggest it as another you keep a constant eye on ... See HERE
Chocolate Reviews - Lee is a very talented web designer with a site design that is envied by one and all in the Chocosphere. He has a keen eye for great quality chocolate and has a flair for writing some excellent reviews ... See HERE
Foodstufffinds - Liz over at Foodstufffinds is always the first to hunt down the newest consumer goods out on the market. Be sure to keep a close eye on this blog in 2011 if it is new products you like ... See HERE
... apologies if I have forgotten anyone ... I could go on forever talking about any of the blogs featured in my Blogroll but honourable mentions must also go to ZOMGCandy, Rodzilla Reviews, Gone Chocco, It's all about Limited Edition, Sugar Pressure, Snackspot and Foodette Reviews.
Saturday, 18 December 2010
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38 comments:
I know I said this in my comment yesterday but I thought this weeks reviews were the best ever. Thank you for the effort you have gone to making sure we are all well on top of what we should be considering for this Christmas Jim. I feel bad not being able to give anything back other than my praise. Good work Jim.
YAYYYYYYY omg im so happy they are bringing back the Aero orange. For me this is even bigger news than cadburys bringing back the wispa. DO we have any idea when it will be on sale? I hope its soon.
Dx
Another site that I always look at each day is thisiswhyyourfat.com lol it is so funny looking at the gross stuff that people make. They are mad half of them.
Thank you for everything this week jim. I enjoyed every single review this week.
Boo no photos of yummy food today :P I like the sound of aero bringing out an orange bar, thats cool.
Hob nob cookies sound like a recipe for disaster. If you read at what flavours they are making (milk choc & Milk choc with hazelnut) they are obviosuly just trying to copy maryland cookies. Im only guessing but I think they would be better if they tried to do their own thing. Copying someone else is never a good start I dont think.
Thnks for the news roundup Jim I dont know how I always miss these things because I keep an eye on all of these websites :S
That article on the aero orange must have only just come up because it is one I would have noticed for sure. I loved that bar when it used to be out a few years ago. I can only hope they haven't changed it at all.
Sorry for my off topic question but do people know if cadburys have stopped making the wispa gold? I looked for one the other day but my local shop said they weren't going to be stocking them anymore. I remember when they first came back, they sold like hot cakes.
Phew I think for once im glad to see there aren't any cakes or hotel chocolat chocolates staring at me in the face for once.
Some of the news articles are really interesting this week. Im not fussed about the aero orange but its good to hear about these hob nob cookies. The recession is biting some of these chocolate manufactures hard isnt it? I swear it was that long ago cadbury closed down a factory of theirs.
I think I can categorically confirm that thinking about chocolate doesn't make you thin lol. I could have told them that before they spent all that money researching it. I dont even want to read that article for the sheer reason I know it will just annoy me :P
Good news regarding the aero coming back. Daisy I share your luv
Rxxx
I read a lot of those blogs you have mentioned but I have also picked out some new ones so thanks, I will add them to my daily feed :)
Are you really going to be stopping posting on xmas eve? What are we all going to do with ourselves? No choccie miss for a week will be torture.
I hope all my UK readers are surviving the latest bout of weather!
Just about dear. We had about a foot of snow last night. I think I will have to abandon my plans of xmas shopping today and just drink hot cocoa indoors :)
Nakd have launched a new healthy snack range - perhaps I should take a look at these in January ... See HERE
These bars are so disgusting. Dont waste your time you wont like them.
Thanks for the reviews this week jim. They were all brill, I hope you take my mickey taking with a pinch of salt.
Competition for old samples? Hmmmmmm as long as they aren't that old lol :P I dont want anything past its best before thank you.
Why did you ever stop doing stars and their bars? I thought they were some of the most interesting posts you have ever done lol. It was surprising how many of the celebs liked such mundane things like dairy milk and stuff. You always think with them that they will pick groovy expensive things.
Im glad to hear you plan on bringing it back mate.
Sorry jim in a right old rush going to visit family (well trying to anyway in this mental weather).
Here are my football predictions this week
Liverpool 3 Fulham 0
Man U 2 Chelsea 2
I cant see your boys winning at stamford bridge. For some reason you never do. Have a nice weekend mate.
After this week Im excited to see what you have in store for us next week. Is there any chance you will give us a sneak preview or are you going to be mysterious like normal :P Great news about that orange aero. There is a big group campaigning for it back on facebook if you look.
Jimbo mate the cricket is in the bag for us aussies I think waheyyyyy!
Sorry mate but I had to mention it after the stick I have been getting recently from all people. Its not easy being an aussie working in england when we are getting beat :)
Top reviews this week mate. The heavenly cakes ones were especially great. After xmas I will be investing in some of them I hope. Fingers crossed they dont stop making the chilli brownie.
Im not sure about the hob nob cookies. Hob nobs are renowned for being biscuits, it sounds to me like mcvities are just going to use the name of hob nobs to get people to try them out. I reckon they wont taste anything like hob nobs.
The posts this week were good jim thanks so much. Have you got anyhing of mega interest for us this week or are you winding down? A buyers guide part 3 would be cool to see if you have enough stuff left to write about. Lol I cant think of anything you could actually do tbh.
BEST NEWS EVER
Sorry for the caps but I have such a big grin on my face reading about the aero coming back lol. It used to be one of my fave bars but then they took it away. I never understood why they made the latest limited edition that crappy dark bar. The orange one was always well popular with me and my friends.
Did someone say prizes in January? That is too late for xmas but im not complaining Jim. Thank you for running such a good blog, I check it out everyday without fail.
My fave review this week was your first buyers guide. Lol you cant beat getting both heavenly cakes and hotel chocolate in one. That was mega wicked (do it again LOL).
I already knew what I was buying people for Christmas but it was all useful info. Cheers Jim and have a gr8 wk end.
The coverage of everything has been brill but I would have liked to have seen my Thorntons :( Its my local shop almost.
I can only reiterate what david has already said Jim. Well done and thank you for all the reviews this week and year. They have all been terrific. Please keep up the good work for us chocolate addicts.
Thanks for the mention, Jim!
Really enjoyed the buyers guides this week, even though I don't have access to most of the items.
Defo agree with the people saying your best reviews yet. Ta for the guides mate I was hoping to pay hotel chocolate a visit today but the snow has stopped me making it to town. I will have to go after work one day this week now.
Aww, I hope Nestle manage to keep the After Eights factory open. It's important that we keep our local factories operating and producing the products in our own country. On the plus side, a huge yay for the return of orange Aeros! They were the variety I ised to go for over the others. I just hope they've not messed with the production/flavouring.
Thanks for a wonderful and informative week of reviews, especially the buyers guides. I look forward to the conclusion this week and wonder what else you have in store seen as you are finished with Hotel Chocolat products and Heavenly Cakes (I think) for the time being. Also glad to hear you'll be taking a break, it's well deserved, though I'll be lost without a new review to check in on evey day haha
Thanks for the shout-out, and for all of your hard blogging work!
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1339754/Chocolate-companies-shrink-size-bars-bid-beat-VAT-hike-rising-costs.html?printingPage=true
(a chocolate news item about shrinking sizes next year)
I like the Buyer's Guides too even though I had to do all my holiday themed chocolate shopping too far in advance to consult them. One of my favorites I saw (in Tesco) was Lindt's cute set of a tiny Santa in a sleigh with four tiny reindeer:
http://selfridgesretaillimited.scene7.com/is/image/SelfridgesRetailLimited/409-81001649-474024_M?$PDP_M$
I'm guessing they've brought it out before because Google images shows it with at least 3 different scenery backgrounds. Maybe it's just the angle but the reindeer designs look slightly different, too.
So far out of Guides 1 & 2 I would go for the Kit Kat Santa or that exceedingly cute HC reindeer, they outdid themselves with that one.
The snow has ruined all my plans today grrrrr. I was hoping to get to the shops to do some shopping but there was no chance. I haven't been able to get out all day :( anyone else had this prob?
Thank you for a fantastic week of reviews! Obviously I don’t pity you for having to try all these wonderful treats but I do realize that it goes take quite some time and effort to write them and take the photos (thanks to the old man as well! ;-) It is very much appreciated. Hope the snow and freezing temps aren’t too bad in your corner of the world and you’ll have a not too hectic run up to the big feast next weekend!
Yes, read about the After Eight factory the other day as well. Loosing your job is always sh*** but at this time of the year, it’s really tough. And how surprising that Kraft didn’t keep previous promises, so am not holding my breath that they will do this time round either… And moving production to Poland? Nothing against Poland but workforce is still cheaper there, as is having less production plants, so obviously it’s all about increasing the profit margin. Who gives a sod about the employees and their families.
I love the NAKD bars, the ginger bread one is divine. I’d take those over any other snack bar because they are less sweet, great when out hill waling. Also not too expensive when you bulk buy them on their website. So am looking forward to these new varieties. The mint one will be interesting as it is a completely different to anything they had before.
Hobnobs + chocolate chips = sounds delightful!
Orange Aero? All I need to say is YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! :) :) :) Im so happy! It is one of the best bars ever.
I just had the nicest hot chocolate ever :) I used a malteasers mix and put cream and marshmallows on top. Its warmed me up so nicely.
And speaking of profit margins:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/dec/17/confectionery-companies-downsizing-vat
Hi ppl,
Does anyone know if there are any hotel chocolat discount codes around?
Many thanks.
Tom
Thanks for all the reviews this week Jim. I cant wait to see what you have for us for monday.
Thanks for all the reviews!
I know you have a downer on thorntons Jim but would have been nice to see what they have out for Christmas.
Hi All
What a funny old weekend it has been once again. The weather has yet again been atrocious down my way, a good pasting of snow has come along with more forecast. Oh Joy! Lets hope it all clears up by the time Christmas comes around next week. Travel could be chaos.
David - Re: Your Comment Thanks for the nice words I think you are being a bit too kind there though. Its my pleasure putting it all together.
Daisy / Mike / Kim / Rachel / Lauren / Serena / Gooner - Re: Aero Orange
I can't believe the number of you that are so obviously hugely excited about this one returning. I never knew it had such a following :) It wasn't a bar I ever used to have so I will be interested in seeing what it is like. As soon as I get it I will review it.
Golden - Re: Thisiswhyyourfat
Haha that website is funny you are right. It is a little disturbing at times though.
Colin / Nick - Re: Hob Nob Cookies
Personally Im more than ok with Mcvities giving this a try. As long as they make sure they are a lot better than their current chocolate chip cookies and not just them rebranded then I think these have potential. Everyone likes a hob nob after all :D
Graeme - Re: Wispa Gold
That was only ever a limited edition. They stopped making them ages ago now.
Sally - Re: Are you really going to be stopping posting on xmas eve? What are we all going to do with ourselves?
Sorry but even I need a break. January 1st I am posting again.
Katie - Re: Thanks for the reviews this week jim. They were all brill, I hope you take my mickey taking with a pinch of salt.
Of course I do :D I wouldn't be so silly as to take anything you say seriously haha!
Duncan - Re: Why did you ever stop doing stars and their bars?
Because every man and his dog started using twitter and it was impossible getting replies. Im slowly building up a new set of answers.
Nigel - Re: Predictions
Football? What football :D I hope you made it to your family ok chap. Blooming snow!
Justin - Re: Cricket
You did indeed wallop us this time around. Oh well come Christmas day we will sort your lot out. Thanks for the kinder words about the reviews :D
Lauren / Steven - Re: Plans for this week
There are a few random selection box reviews in the mix with the last buyers guide.
Lee / Terry / Alison / Roddy / Shaun / Rosa / Rebecca - Your Comments on my reviews this week
Thanks for being so kind all of you. I'm just thrilled that you guys enjoy reading them as much as I do putting them together.
Mysterio - Thorntons
Who knows what this week will bring eh? Plenty of time for Thorntons to make an appearance yet dont worry.
Ria - Your Comment
I don't think they would ever stop producing the chocolates. I think they are just shifting the production elsewhere and leaving 215 people out of jobs ... never nice eh!? Thanks for all your kind words. I look forward to hearing from you this week.
Thea - Re: Your Comment
Thanks for sharing your news article and your recommendations. Its funny you feature that Santa from Lindt ;) Check out Part 3 this week and you will see what I mean.
Anne - RE: Your comment
I agree with you about the production shift to Poland. Lets hope that the quality isn't affected and those poor people find new jobs.
I have actually already tried a few bits and pieces from the NAKD range in preparation for some posts next year :D I will be welcoming your comments when they come up for sure :D (You might have to stick up for them haha!!)
I hope I have managed to cover most of you off. I hope you are all surviving the latest cold snap and that it hasn't hampered you all too much with any of your plans. Be sure to check out the site this week. I have reviews up until the 24th!!
JIM
Yes, I do realise the NAKD range is not to everybodys liking. But variety is the spice of life and it wouldn't be the first time we have a different opinion on something. :)
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