Makes 20 Chocolate TrufflesIngredientsFor the truffles:50g (13/4oz) unsalted butter at room temperature75g (23/4oz) light brown soft sugar150ml (5fl oz) double cream175g (6oz) dark chocolateFor the toppings:150g (51/2oz) milk or dark chocolate

. The frills and gimmicks have gone, replaced (with a little help from Creative Director and ex-Vogue art director, Timothy Rennie) with chic boxes and modern flavours - think chocolate on chicken and Christmas cake flavoured chocolate squares. The idea

We can always find an excuse to eat chocolate and last night we happily discovered that Hotel Chocolat founder Angus Thirlwell eats it religiously every day. Spurred on by this heroic effort, we tucked in to the fantastic new products on offer

chocolate coated grissini and dark chocolate covered clementines. Other treats in the sweet department include Fiocchi di Neve - two pieces of wrapped bite sized hazelnut meringue, Lunette d'Arancia - chocolate-covered orange peel, and Misto de Natale

filled with a smooth truffle centre which, at £2.99, are just right for pocket money budgets. We love the heart-shaped packaging of the continental chocolate boxes and came away with lots of delicious chocolate goodies. We also enjoyed celebrating

and personalised chef's hat, Joe looked every bit the part, and looking at the enticing bowls of ingredients (sugary decorations and chocolate), he was eager to get started. On the menu, gingerbread cookies, and chocolate truffles. With ten or so budding chefs

. The lunch menu has a tempting array of dishes, and is great value (considering the location is fab and the food excellent) at £22 for two courses; £25 for three – though Grace went for the more spectacular à la carte starter of Crab Ravioli with Truffles

as the occasion of the annual celebration of the fruit of the gods – the famous chocolate festival in the town of Perugia. Umbria is still comfortably warm in October, yet cool enough for walks in the hills and bike rides along its traffic-free lanes.Truffle

and as part of the service. You can enjoy breakfast and lunch any time of the day, as well as coffee and cakes, or even a high tea. There’s also an imaginative dessert line-up, with chocolate truffle cake just one of those on the dangerously delicious list

memory I’ve got is always baking cakes. From the point of eating food it is probably my love of chocolate pudding and apple crumble. I was very young with a very sweet tooth and I was really keen on things like rhubarb and custard. Now you have a family