Holdsworth Chocolates announces limited edition Christmas 2011 selection

Holdsworth Chocolates, which produces exquisite handmade chocolates in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District, has unveiled its range for Christmas 2011.

Led by creative director Genevieve Holdsworth, a team of skilled chocolatiers will be combining the finest chocolate and real fruit to produce delightful handmade – not just hand-finished – treats for the festive season.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury gift for that chocolate-loving special person, a stunning centrepiece for the festive dinner table or the perfect finish to your Christmas meal, Holdsworth has the answer with prices ranging from £3.95 to £17.95.

At the heart of the selection are Holdsworth’s eye-catching Chocolate Flower Pots and scrumptious individual rum and raisin Christmas Puddings.

“Christmas is a time when people want tradition, quality, value for money and, most of all, taste,” said Genevieve Holdsworth.

“Our selection – fully handmade using only the finest ingredients – has something for everyone – all tastes and budgets.

“Holdsworth’s Chocolate Flower Pots with their hand-tied ribbons and decorative wraps provide a real wow factor.

“Meanwhile our rum and raisin Christmas Puddings are a delightful and fun way to finish a festive meal.”

The full Christmas selection features:
• The Chocolate Flower Pot – 350g milk chocolate vase filled with individual chocolates and decorated with a seasonal flower and co-ordinating hand tied bow and decorative wrap. Recommended retail price £17.95.
• Christmas Pudding – 100g rum and raisin truffle centre, hand enrobed with thick bitter plain chocolate topped with crystallised peppermint leaves and real cranberries. This delightful mini festive pudding has a recommended retail price £4.99.
• Limited Edition Christmas Chocolate Selection – 375g or 240g gift boxes containing limited edition handmade milk, plain and white Christmas themed chocolates such as caramellised clementine cream, port and cranberry cream and chestnut praline to name but a few. Recommended retail prices £16.95 and £12.95, respectively.

The 2011 selection also includes gift bags containing:
• Dipped apricots in milk, plains and white chocolate - 150g gift bag for £4.25
• Dipped stem ginger in plain chocolate – 100g gift bag for £3.95
• Dipped orange slices in plain chocolate – 100g gift bag for £3.95
• Dipped marrons glace in milk, plain and white chocolate – 150g for £6.95
• A selection of limited edition milk, plain and white chocolates – 150g for £5.95.

Over the past three years Holdsworth’s expert chocolatiers have won a string of golds in the Great Taste Awards organised by the Guild of Fine Food.

Stockists include Harrods, Selfridges, Waitrose, Chatsworth House shop and Chatsworth Farm Shop and Ibbotsons of Ashford.

Based in Bakewell, Derbyshire, Holdsworth has been producing chocolates since 1988.

The company was created by Barbara Holdsworth. Spurred on by a passionate belief in making chocolates by hand, she developed her own recipes using only the finest ingredients.

She handed over to daughter Genevieve in 2002 and now the company’s team of dedicated chocolatiers continues to innovate and delight.

Holdsworth Chocolates is based in Station Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1GE. Telephone 01629 813573. E-mail info@holdsworthchocolates.co.uk or visit the website www.holdsworthchocolates.co.uk


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Food and Drink iNet support helps coffee supplier Shelton Imports to win new orders

Left to right, Food and Drink iNet advisor for Leicestershire Stevie Jackson and Ximena Shelton, from Shelton Imports, look at the new menus

Coffee specialist Shelton Imports has won an order from prestigious store Harrods and begun selling to a whole new market after receiving support from the Food and Drink iNet.

The Leicestershire-based company supplies flavoured Colombian coffee cubes in individual wraps direct to customers via its website and to retailers like delicatessens and farm shops.

But now the firm has also moved into the food service sector and begun selling to coffee shops and restaurants after receiving support worth £400 through the Food and Drink iNet for the design of a stylish coffee menu.

The menu and other promotional materials have also caught the eye of buyers at Harrods, who are putting Shelton’s products on their shelves in October.

“The iNet’s support has been fantastic because it’s helping to open up possibilities in completely different markets for us,” said Ximena Shelton, who runs Shelton Imports with husband Steven.

“The menu is a great showcase for what we sell. It’s helped us gain new customers in food service, and was instrumental in us winning a contract to supply to Harrods. It’s also helping me to give a better service to delis and farm shops because I have also been able to create new point of sale material.”

Launched in 2009 and based in Kibworth, Shelton Imports sells a range of seven different flavoured coffee cubes, as well as roasted coffee beans covered in chocolate and traditional coffee. It specialises in individually wrapped cubes of coffee that can be instantly prepared using hot water to create a fresh cup of coffee.

The firm now has 46 stockists across the UK, from Kent to Scotland, including seven coffee shops and restaurants.

Shelton Imports received £400 worth of Innovation, Advice and Guidance support from the iNet. The company matched this support with its own investment.

The iNet helps food and drink firms engage expertise from academia, research institutions and specialist business advice for innovation projects to develop new ideas, new products, new processes and to help companies grow. 50% of the equivalent cash value of the support must be contributed by the company.

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four iNets, it strives to develop an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.

It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.

The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by the Food & Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food