Cocoa Black

In amongst all of the awful stuff going on at the moment (which I may elaborate on in the future) something nice. Indeed, sweet. A chocolate course at Cocoa Black in Peebles was a birthday present, which today was cashed in. Ruth Hinks, on the left, is a properly renowned chocolatier, so it was a nice surprise to find out she was taking the course herself. Seren, on the right, recently came second in the Junior Chocolate Masters competition, so we were definitely in good hands.

Okay, so most of the stuff was done for us, and at the start I did wonder what was left given the ganache was there and ready for us to use. But if there's one thing this course teaches you, it's a bit of respect for the patience of chocolatiers, and appreciation for how on earth they manage to make neat, lovely little parcels.

Some great hints and tips for working with chocolate (as well as some for macaroons when I chatted after the class); and a mountain of chocolates taken home.

Oh, and the thing behind Ruth's head is made entirely of chocolate, and by a course attendee (she does a couple of big two day courses to learn how to make showpieces).

Really, really enjoyable morning.