Great British Spiced Chocolate Challenge 2015! GBSCC

We are privileged to be a partner in the Great British Spiced Chocolate Challenge 2015!

Glynn Christian, celebrated author, TV presenter and a longstanding friend of Seasoned Pioneers, very kindly suggested to the organisers that we be invited to participate in this sensational event, an invitation that we simply could not refuse!

So what’s it all about?
The challenge entails both amateur and professional chocolatiers competing to create a new and unique spiced chocolate. Directed by the enigmatic Andrew Mellon, renowned private chef and director of The Style Academy, this promises to be one of the most prestigious culinary events of the year!
Headlining The Chocolate Show at London’s Olympia, the challenge will be the climax of National Chocolate Week, which takes place from 12th to 18th October. Preliminary judging is on the 3rd September at the breathtaking Poggenpohl kitchen showroom in Waterloo.
Joanna Simon, wine & food editor at House & Garden magazine will head the judging panel, assisted by food journalists, members of the public and industry insiders.

And for the winning spiced chocolate and its creator?
Just in time for Christmas, the winning spiced chocolate will be fast-tracked into one of London’s top food halls. Additionally, the winner will be treated to a once in a lifetime trip to the island of Grenada, famed for production of spices and chocolate. Travelling with British Airways, the GBSCC winner will enjoy the very finest of Grenadian hospitality and attend the International Chocolate Festival in May 2016, with VIP status.

How to enter
Open to all, entries are to be submitted online on the Great British Spiced Chocolate Challenge website www.gbscc.co.uk.

Can everyone try some spiced chocolate?
An official (and delicious) GBSCC Sugar & Spice chocolate bar has already been created by esteemed chocolatier, Paul A Young. From each bar sold, £2 will directly benefit The Trussell Trust, the charity that operates the national foodbank network.

Our day out to the challenge launch
On 23rd July, we (Matt & Karen) travelled to London for the media launch of the GBSCC 2015. The venue was Poggenpohl’s stunning Wigmore Kitchens showroom in London. Andrew had been very busy creating truly exquisite food and drink for the event, all displayed dramatically amidst huge bowls of garden flowers and elegant china and glass. Of course, chocolate abounded too, with spectacular displays of the finest chocolates imaginable.

Wonderfully supported, the event hosted an eclectic mix of people from the worlds of food and drink, television, media, PR, chocolate manufacturing and more. Although it was not possible to talk to everyone in the time available, we did have the pleasure of chatting with many of the guests. A huge congratulations and thanks to Andrew who organised a highly memorable, fun and very successful launch of an exciting challenge!

Watch this space as we start to send our spices to the contestants!