US Edition Salon du Chocolat
Olympia, London, W14 8UX
Choosing to go out with a bang rather than a whimper, National Chocolate Week culminates with the spectacular Salon du Chocolat - said to be the largest chocolate show in the world, and visiting the capital for the very first time this year. Pop along for demonstrations and workshops with the likes of pâtisserie wizard Eric Lanlard, an eye-catching fashion show where all the clothes are crafted from chocolate, and as many free samples as you can snaffle.
18-20 October: 2pm to 6pm on Friday, 10am to 7pm on Saturday, 10am to 6pm on Sunday
£18 / £15 in advance
Blood & Chocolate
York
Rave reviews: Blood + Chocolate (JOHN SAUNDERS)
With a name like Blood + Chocolate, you could easily think this is a launch party for an unsavoury new batch of Hallowe’en confectionery. In fact, this is a landmark theatre event - half walking tour, half multimedia experience - that tells the story of the First World War's impact on the workers employed by York's chocolate factories, and their families. The piece, which involves a cast of over 200, is performed in promenande style throughout York itself, including in some of the city's most famous buildings, and has already attracted rave reviews. Unmissable, even if it is raining.
October 3 to October 20, 7pm
£18
Chocolate Moulding Class, Colchester
Chocolate Studios, Colchester Essex, CO1 2ZF
Learn how to mould and decorate your own lovingly-created chocolates at this two-hour class, which is being heftily discounted from the usual price of £65 especially for Chocolate Week. After you've got your hands appropriately chocolate-y, staff will show you how to package up your finished creations so they look as good as they taste. Christmas presents sorted.
October 1 to October 31,11am and 6:30 pm
£35
Chocolate Tree Open Day
Haddington, Scotland, EH41 4DY
Always dreamt, like Roald Dahl's Charlie, of seeing the magical interior of a chocolate factory? You can turn fantasy into reality this week, as artisan chocolate manufacturer The Chocolate Tree is opening the doors to its East Lothian headquarters. The team will spend an hour with guests, showing them around the factory and explaining the journey from cocoa tree to finished bar. And the best thing is? It doesn't cost a (cocoa) bean.
October 15 and October 16, 1pm
Free
An Evening of Fine Tequila and Fine Chocolate
Central and Co, 22 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7HU
Chocolate king: Paul A.Young at work (REX/MATT LLOYD)
Those who think tequila is only fit for for downing at dodgy bars might benefit from this event, which sees chocolatier Paul A. Young and Aqua Riva tequila expert Cleo Rocos sharing their knowledge (and a cocoa-flavoured tequila) with guests in an intimate bar setting. Salt and lime is strictly off the menu.
October 17, 7pm
£60
Chocolate tasting dinner
Hardy's Brasserie and Wine Bar, 53 Dorset Street, London, W1U 7NH
Chocolate is the ultimate sweet treat, but its rich flavour can work surprisingly well in savoury dishes too. Popular neigbourhood brasserie Hardy's is teaming up with Rococo chocolates to offer a three-course menu themed around the beloved cocoa bean. The confit duck in chocolate sauce looks especially intriguing.
October 14, 7pm
£35
Follow our chocolate blogger Andrew Baker for all the latest news on Chocolate Week