chocolate walking tour
+61 416 412 697
www.chocolatewalkingtours.com.au
www.chocolatewalkingtours.com.au
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What better way to spend an afternoon than combining a fitness workout (slow walk) and rewarding yourself for your efforts with a treat or two or maybe three... hehehehe!!!
This two hour Chocolate Walking Tours is a choc-a-holic dream and what better way to start your culinary experience of taste testing than keeping up your energy whilst walking on the tour with a chocolate offering from Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Your taste buds are spoilt with the quality of milk and dark chocolate made from cocoa butter. These chocolates are unlike the well known compound chocolate brands most of us buy from supermarkets. Savour every bite as you enjoy each sample offering. On the day we walked the tour we indulged in chocolate pretzels, chocolate dubs (raspberry), crispy coating Easter eggs, milk and dark pastel, a Hot Cross Bun Truffle, Salted Cameral, dark chocolate and a Chocolate Brownie. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and perhaps stretchy pants so you can indulge a little! Starting at the Melbourne Visitors Centre at Federation Square you set off on a leisurely walk to Degraves Street to your first stop Choca Mama, past all the trendy eateries in Centre Place to the newly opened Lindt Chocolate Cafe on Collins Street. From here it's a lovely stroll across the road to the heritage Block Arcade and one of Melbourne's Haigh's flagship stores. You are now over halfway through your tour and now walking via the tightly squeezed cafe's and eateries along Block Place and into the heritage shopping arcade, Royal Arcade to the fourth stop on the tour, Koko Black. With one stop left to go it's a short stroll over the Bourke Street Mall, through the Myer Melbourne building, into the Emporium Melbourne and up the escalator to New York Chocolate Bar. There you have it, you have just walked 1.2 kilometres in two hours, didn't work up a sweat and enjoyed tantalising your sweet tooth. |
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What we got was VIP exclusive backstage pass to in store specials (discounts) not available to the general public, 10 chocolate tastings along the way, a history of how these 5 chocolate boutiques started, learn the correct tasting technique, how good quality chocolate is made, historic landmark stories and meet Head Pastry Chef, Deborah at the first Australian flagship store inspired by New York founder Alison Nelson, at the New York Chocolate Bar.
We don't want to give too much away, other than saying you will be enriched for knowledge gained over the two hours. As a fairly new tour experience around Melbourne, check out their website www.chocolatewalkingtours.com.au for other chocolate tours. The City Sightseeing Chocolate Walking Tour we went on is a fun, interactive tour and one not to be missed.
Thank you to Chocolate Walking Tours for the lovely invitation to attend their first media family for 2016, and a huge thank you to our delightful and bubbly Chocolate Guide Amanda who made the tour both enjoyable and informative.
We don't want to give too much away, other than saying you will be enriched for knowledge gained over the two hours. As a fairly new tour experience around Melbourne, check out their website www.chocolatewalkingtours.com.au for other chocolate tours. The City Sightseeing Chocolate Walking Tour we went on is a fun, interactive tour and one not to be missed.
Thank you to Chocolate Walking Tours for the lovely invitation to attend their first media family for 2016, and a huge thank you to our delightful and bubbly Chocolate Guide Amanda who made the tour both enjoyable and informative.
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Little box brownie
www.littleboxbrownie.com.
On a Winters day at the St Kilda market we came across a cute little caravan selling coffee and brownies. This was our first encounter with Little Box Brownie and we wanted to know so much more about Sophia Purvis and her gorgeous caravan.
Fast forward to late 2015 and we caught up with Sophia owner of the vintage caravan over dinner. What we didn’t know was the caravan selling coffee and a delicious selection of cakes is only scratching the surface of what Sophia Purvis has accomplished!
Where do we start? Sophia has published a cookbook, owns and operates Daisy the caravan, writes the Little Box Brownie blog and also works as a photographer….yes weddings parties anything!!!
Sophia has a degree in Architecture but her enjoyment for baking from a young age which led her to publishing a cookbook called Little Box Brownie A Piece of Cake. Sophia created all the sweet recipes in the cookbook and then teamed up with Random House New Zealand to publish the cookbook. Sophia takes care of the distribution of the cookbook and it can be found at selective stores in Australia.
As Sophia tells us the cookbook came about because it was “something I always wanted to do before I die”.
Fast forward to late 2015 and we caught up with Sophia owner of the vintage caravan over dinner. What we didn’t know was the caravan selling coffee and a delicious selection of cakes is only scratching the surface of what Sophia Purvis has accomplished!
Where do we start? Sophia has published a cookbook, owns and operates Daisy the caravan, writes the Little Box Brownie blog and also works as a photographer….yes weddings parties anything!!!
Sophia has a degree in Architecture but her enjoyment for baking from a young age which led her to publishing a cookbook called Little Box Brownie A Piece of Cake. Sophia created all the sweet recipes in the cookbook and then teamed up with Random House New Zealand to publish the cookbook. Sophia takes care of the distribution of the cookbook and it can be found at selective stores in Australia.
As Sophia tells us the cookbook came about because it was “something I always wanted to do before I die”.
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So how does a caravan selling coffee, brownies and carrot cake fit into this picture?
A labour of love first sighted in a daisy field in East Keilor, Sophia bought the caravan in 2014. It took 9 months to fit it out with some help from her Dad. There is a full kitchen inside the caravan which Sophia affectionately calls Miss Daisy.
The inspiration for Miss Daisy was to publicise the cookbook. The idea was to promote the cookbook whilst selling delicious coffee, brownies and carrot cake (recipes for both can be found in the cookbook). What happened was Sophia found enjoyment being at markets, community events and that special occasion where the vintage caravan has become a focal part of her business.
Sophia’s passion is infectious and as you listen to her talking about photography, promoting her cookbook or Daisy the caravan it makes you understand when you are doing something you love it is not work.
Sophia’s greatest inspiration is her Mother who not only makes a mean Pavlova, but also a great example of a woman who can be doing multiple things at once and succeeding.
Check out Sophia’s blog at www.littleboxbrownie.com where you can find out how you can hire Miss Daisy for your next special event, market or community day. There is also contact information if you would like to purchase the fabulous cookbook, Little Box Brownie A Piece of Cake which we highly recommend. Our favourite recipe in the book is the Apple and Rhubarb Crumble with the Crème Brulee a close second.
Oh and did we mention the cookbook won the Gourmand World Cookbook Award!
Thank you Sophia for a delightful catch up and the signed copy of your cookbook.
A labour of love first sighted in a daisy field in East Keilor, Sophia bought the caravan in 2014. It took 9 months to fit it out with some help from her Dad. There is a full kitchen inside the caravan which Sophia affectionately calls Miss Daisy.
The inspiration for Miss Daisy was to publicise the cookbook. The idea was to promote the cookbook whilst selling delicious coffee, brownies and carrot cake (recipes for both can be found in the cookbook). What happened was Sophia found enjoyment being at markets, community events and that special occasion where the vintage caravan has become a focal part of her business.
Sophia’s passion is infectious and as you listen to her talking about photography, promoting her cookbook or Daisy the caravan it makes you understand when you are doing something you love it is not work.
Sophia’s greatest inspiration is her Mother who not only makes a mean Pavlova, but also a great example of a woman who can be doing multiple things at once and succeeding.
Check out Sophia’s blog at www.littleboxbrownie.com where you can find out how you can hire Miss Daisy for your next special event, market or community day. There is also contact information if you would like to purchase the fabulous cookbook, Little Box Brownie A Piece of Cake which we highly recommend. Our favourite recipe in the book is the Apple and Rhubarb Crumble with the Crème Brulee a close second.
Oh and did we mention the cookbook won the Gourmand World Cookbook Award!
Thank you Sophia for a delightful catch up and the signed copy of your cookbook.
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice creamery
35 Old Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen VIC 3775
Set above a hilltop in Yarra Glen, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie is a chocoaholics dream! We were lucky enough to be visiting the chocolaterie during the rocky road festival and there was every imaginable flavour of rocky road available not only to purchase but you could taste test before you buy.
Being the purists that we are we settled on the traditional rocky road but if you were more adventurous than us you could choose from such flavours as mint rocky road, cookies and cream rocky road and dark chocolate rocky road just to name a few.
Also on offer is a HUGE selection of over 250 different chocolate items to choose from. There are truffles, chocolate bars, macarons, fudge, giant chocolate freckles, nougat, biscuits, chocolate sauces and one of our personal favourites malo cakes, which is a biscuit base with marshmallow placed ontop and covered in chocolate. And we haven’t even mentioned their house-made ice creams which are all made from locally sourced produce and oh so delicious. You can also taste test the ice cream before making your final choice.
If anyone was in any doubt as to whether all these products are made on the premises, you can view the kitchen from the shop through large glass windows. We watched these talented chocolatiers making all the products which can be purchased in the shop.
There is also a café on site serving breakfast, brunch and lunch and unfortunately for us we had already dined elsewhere in the Valley for breakfast so we missed out on the café experience. We were envious of the waffles, bacon and eggs and other amazing dishes coming out of the kitchen. This only means we will have to visit the Yarra Valley again!
Being the purists that we are we settled on the traditional rocky road but if you were more adventurous than us you could choose from such flavours as mint rocky road, cookies and cream rocky road and dark chocolate rocky road just to name a few.
Also on offer is a HUGE selection of over 250 different chocolate items to choose from. There are truffles, chocolate bars, macarons, fudge, giant chocolate freckles, nougat, biscuits, chocolate sauces and one of our personal favourites malo cakes, which is a biscuit base with marshmallow placed ontop and covered in chocolate. And we haven’t even mentioned their house-made ice creams which are all made from locally sourced produce and oh so delicious. You can also taste test the ice cream before making your final choice.
If anyone was in any doubt as to whether all these products are made on the premises, you can view the kitchen from the shop through large glass windows. We watched these talented chocolatiers making all the products which can be purchased in the shop.
There is also a café on site serving breakfast, brunch and lunch and unfortunately for us we had already dined elsewhere in the Valley for breakfast so we missed out on the café experience. We were envious of the waffles, bacon and eggs and other amazing dishes coming out of the kitchen. This only means we will have to visit the Yarra Valley again!
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Good food and wine show Melbourne
Melbourne
Convention and Exhibition Centre
What a great day we had at the Food and Wine Show in Melbourne today. For those of you that haven’t been yet you still have time as it has one more day to run on Monday 8th June at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
We arrived early and there already was a long queue to get in even before the doors opened! On offer was a foodies dream. Tasting and freebies galore!
What has to be our favourite isle at the Food and Wine show has to be the Cheese Isle. There was every imaginable cheese to taste test and all 4 Travel Buddies well overdid it on the taste tests! After much deliberation we purchased a triple cream brie, a Blackall gold washed rind, a truffle triple cream brie and a vintage cheddar from Woombye Cheese Company.
The wines and other alcoholic beverages were well represented and one of our Travel Buddies may have been slightly tipsy enjoying all that was on offer. We ended up purchasing Traditional Swedish Cider from Two Elk Cider. We did try all flavours on offer, Apple, Pear and Berries and Lime. The Berries and Lime won out in the end and is now in our fridges chilling!
On the savoury side of things there was olive oils, dips, pesto, jerky, smoked meats and the list goes on. We ended up purchasing three dry dip mixes from Your Inspiration at Home. The ladies at this stand were fantastic and we couldn’t resist the three dip mixes for $40 deal.
And finally let’s not forget about the sweets! Sovereign Hill were selling there famous boiled lollies and a couple of jars of raspberry drops were too difficult to say no to.
But the highlight of the Show for us was Chocolette Patisserie and their amazing macarons. The peanut butter macaron was to die for!
We arrived early and there already was a long queue to get in even before the doors opened! On offer was a foodies dream. Tasting and freebies galore!
What has to be our favourite isle at the Food and Wine show has to be the Cheese Isle. There was every imaginable cheese to taste test and all 4 Travel Buddies well overdid it on the taste tests! After much deliberation we purchased a triple cream brie, a Blackall gold washed rind, a truffle triple cream brie and a vintage cheddar from Woombye Cheese Company.
The wines and other alcoholic beverages were well represented and one of our Travel Buddies may have been slightly tipsy enjoying all that was on offer. We ended up purchasing Traditional Swedish Cider from Two Elk Cider. We did try all flavours on offer, Apple, Pear and Berries and Lime. The Berries and Lime won out in the end and is now in our fridges chilling!
On the savoury side of things there was olive oils, dips, pesto, jerky, smoked meats and the list goes on. We ended up purchasing three dry dip mixes from Your Inspiration at Home. The ladies at this stand were fantastic and we couldn’t resist the three dip mixes for $40 deal.
And finally let’s not forget about the sweets! Sovereign Hill were selling there famous boiled lollies and a couple of jars of raspberry drops were too difficult to say no to.
But the highlight of the Show for us was Chocolette Patisserie and their amazing macarons. The peanut butter macaron was to die for!
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Winter night market
Queen Victoria Market Melbourne
Winter in Melbourne sees the return of the Winter Night Market at the Queen Victoria Market! Running on Wednesday evenings from 5pm to 10pm for 13 weeks.
Enjoy what makes Melbourne such a vibrant place to be all year round! Rug up and brave the cold weather to enjoy food from all around the world along with speciality stalls and street performers.
Our recommendation is to get there early as tables are limited if you want to sit down to eat your food. The queues for some stalls, especially the Sundae stall became quite long, however this is the only negative to what is a nice mid week experience during Winter.
We once again over indulged in the food options. The fish and chips was a major hit with 3 of the 4 Travel Buddies. The satay sticks from Poppy’s Thai was a winner with all 4 of us along with the Sloppy Joe, the crispy pork roll, the sundae and the popcorn. Not so popular was the pulled pork from a stall we whose name we will not mention!
The street performers kept us amused, and some of us even a little scared with the nervous fire juggler! The band had the crowd up and dancing making the evening even more enjoyable.
Finishing off the night with a chilli hot chocolate capped off a great experience which we intend to relive a few more times before Winter is over.
Enjoy what makes Melbourne such a vibrant place to be all year round! Rug up and brave the cold weather to enjoy food from all around the world along with speciality stalls and street performers.
Our recommendation is to get there early as tables are limited if you want to sit down to eat your food. The queues for some stalls, especially the Sundae stall became quite long, however this is the only negative to what is a nice mid week experience during Winter.
We once again over indulged in the food options. The fish and chips was a major hit with 3 of the 4 Travel Buddies. The satay sticks from Poppy’s Thai was a winner with all 4 of us along with the Sloppy Joe, the crispy pork roll, the sundae and the popcorn. Not so popular was the pulled pork from a stall we whose name we will not mention!
The street performers kept us amused, and some of us even a little scared with the nervous fire juggler! The band had the crowd up and dancing making the evening even more enjoyable.
Finishing off the night with a chilli hot chocolate capped off a great experience which we intend to relive a few more times before Winter is over.
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