Chocolate Week

Launch of The Ramsbottom Chocolate Trail ***PRESS ONLY***

Sunday 11th October 2009

A new north-west tourism initiative, The Ramsbottom Chocolate Trail, is to be launched during National Chocolate Week (12-18 October) and we’d like to invite you to attend the first tour on Sunday 11 October.  The trail has been organised by Bury Council in partnership with Ramsbottom businesses and follows the success of the town’s annual Chocolate Festival, which attracted an estimated 10,000 visitors last April.

A leaflet promoting the trail will be available for chocolate lovers, who can catch the nostalgic ELR steam train from Bury, and brings together a wealth of independent retailers offering exclusive chocolate related produce.  Handmade chocolates, chocolate wine and beer and chocolate dishes from award-winning restaurants and cafés are highlights of the trail.  Unusual produce such as the Chocolate Café’s chocolate pizzas are also showcased, as are chocolate cookery gadgets from the town’s specialist cookshop.

Ramsbottom is a prime destination for chocoholics, and for those looking to enjoy a full weekend of shopping and dining, there are also two hotels on the trail.  The leaflet will be available from the web and at various outlets including the Bury Tourist Information Centre.

Full itinerary details are below.
Itinerary – Sunday 11 October

• 10:40am – Trip to Ramsbottom on the ELR railway from Bury town centre accompanied by tour guide, Jonathan Schofield, who will offer background on Ramsbottom throughout the day.
• Paul Morris, owner of the Chocolate Café, will host chocolate tastings in various outlets, including: sampling of the award winning chocolate torte at the Cultured Bean café and chocolate wine tasting at the Vineyard (winner of the North West’s specialist wine retailer of the year award). 
• A main course will be offered in the Chocolate Café, where Paul will give a chocolate making demonstration and attendees can try making their own chocolate truffles. 
• The Good Food Guide’s Restaurant of the Year, Ramsons, is the next destination, where visitors can enjoy their famous Amedei chocolate fondant for dessert.
• A demonstration of chocolate making equipment in the award winning Cooks Emporium follows. 
• The trail ends with a relaxing chocolate beer in the First Chop and then a chocolate cocktail at The Lounge. 
• 16:00pm - Train departs for Bury.

NB: Please note that this launch is only for members of the press. The trail will be availble as a self guided tour from Monday 12th October. For more details please call Bury Tourism Centre on 0161 253 5111.

• Address: Ramsbottom
• http://www.bury.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/TourismAndTravel/default.htm

Chocolate Unwrapped

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th October 2009

This year for the first time, the team behind Chocolate Week are hosting a chocolate consumer show: Chocolate Unwrapped, to kick-off the nation’s favourite themed week, on 10th & 11th October in the heart of London’s West End.

• Address: The May Fair Hotel, London, W1J 8LT
• www.chocolate-unwrapped.co.uk