When I was a little girl, I used to daydream about stepping into my favourite movies and immersing myself in their fantasy world. I'd imagine leaping up from the sofa and diving straight into the television screen. The glass would magically wash over me like water before I landed on the other side.
It's an obvious analogy, but as I stepped into the Choccywoccydoodah
boutique in London a few weeks ago, I could have sworn I'd crossed over
into the world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory {the original
version with Gene Wilder because that's what I was raised on – sorry Mr.
Burton}.
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Tino and Pip
For those of you not in the know, Choccywoccydoodah
is an art and design focused chocolatiere that started life in Brighton
some 17 years ago.
Specialising in bespoke chocolate sculptured
fantasies and wedding cakes crafted from only the finest ingredients,
the brand has achieved a new level of notoriety since starring in their own TV show on The Good Food Channel.
The Choccywoccydoodah boutiques
also offer chocolate gifts, decadent birthday cakes, huge chocolate
slabs, and an array of other delicious goodies. As if that wasn't
enough, both the Brighton and London stores feature an extravagant 'Bar
du Chocolate' where guests can indulge in Belgian hot chocolate,
homemade cakes, ice cream milkshakes, sundaes, and chocolate dipping
pots.
I thought I knew all about Choccywocccydoodah's cakes and sweet
treats before I headed to the boutique in Fouberts Place, just off
Carnaby Street. I'd seen pictures and I'd read what other people had to
say, but nothing quite prepared me for walking in to the glamorous
kitsch store and seeing their creations in real life. They're works of
art. Huge, delicious, awe inspiring, works of art
After wandering round the ground floor of the store, mouth agape in
wonder as I tried to take in the incredible sights before me, myself and
other assembled bloggers and journalists were escorted upstairs to the
cafe area. Greeted with a choice of either champagne or caramel
milkshake {I never say no to bubbles}, guests were then ushered to
tables adorned with an appetising example of a Choccywoccydoodah cake.
I parked myself beside Sara and Meryl from Under the Vintage Veil and the delightful photography duo Tino and Pip.
We excitedly chatted amongst ourselves as we set about demolishing the
chocolate edifice before us. Moments after the first few mouthfuls had
passed my lips, we were whisked off up another flight of stairs. The
anticipation and excitement grew as we gathered before a small doorway
one floor up.
We knew Choccywoccydoodah had a secret, but what was it? Well….
The floors and surfaces are lined with strokable astro turf in vivid
green. The walls are painted a sensuous shade of red. Curiosities meet
you at every turn. A bunny and a sheep sit alongside a provocative
replica of Michelangelo's statue of David. Heavily embellished
lampshades hang from the ceiling and the sound of water gently trickling
from a gilded fountain fills the air. A macrame chair is adorned with
luscious faux blooms and trailing ivy.
At the centre of the room, a huge table filled with cake, sweets and
chocolates began to draw us in. Seated as if guests at the Mad Hatter's
tea party in Wonderland, we fell upon the candy buffet with gusto. There
were great platters filled with chocolate buttons, enormous bowls of
jelly babies, a mound of marshmallows and a vast bowl of flying saucers.
Huge wedges of cake sat on small plates, drizzled with crimson
coloured sauce and waiting to be devoured. Voluptuous strawberries sat
alongside bottles of pink lemonade, dainty pots of dipping chocolate and
the ubiquitous bottles of champagne.
As I paused between mouthfuls, I marvelled at the genius of Choccywoccydoodah's concept. Who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon in such a place?
The brand new Secret Room can seat up to 35 people comfortably, and
is the perfect venue for an intimate wedding reception {dessert only of
course}, engagement party, hen celebration or birthday extravaganza.
Choccywoccydoodah will
provide a candy and cake buffet, dedicated service and a room like no
other to party in. It costs £250 for up to 10 people for 2 hours and £25
a head for each additional guest. Contact Choccywoccydoodah for enquiries regarding all day bookings or any other requirements you may have.
A great tragedy befell me that night as I headed back to West London.
The goodie bag I had diligently filled with copious amounts of
chocoloate and sweets was lost somewhere in the labyrinth of the London
Underground. In accidentally abandoning my haul of sweets, I must have
either caused a security alert or made someone's night. So, if you do
pay Choccywoccydoodah a visit, send me a lollipop. Pretty please.
You can find out more about Choccywoccydoodah through their website, facebook and twitter.
Much love,
Franky
