Member Article

Chocolate entrepreneur comes to North East

A entrepreneurial chocolatier is visiting the North East to share the secrets of his sweet success with local businesspeople.

Willie Harcourt-Cooze, who is best known for his appearance on Channel 4’s ‘Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory’, has spent much of his career travelling the world seeking the finest cacao beans.

After purchasing a 1,000 acre hacienda farm in Venezuela, his farm managers taught him the basics of chocolate making. Since then he has developed an extensive range of artisan chocolate, Willies World Class Cacao, made from 100% cacao, including Madagascan Black.

At an event on April 3 in Wynyard, Willie will share his adventures and reveal the secrets of his success in an immensely competitive industry.

He said: “I feel very lucky with how the adventure has worked out. A lot of blood, sweat, tears, more sweat and tonnes of cacao have been poured into it.”

Willie harvests his cacao in Venezuela before it is transported to his factory in Devon. Here, it is made into chocolate using restored antique machines which he has sourced from around the globe.

Alongside his television appearances, Willie has also written two books on chocolate.

Nigel Mills, chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “Willie talks with a gritty readiness about his life and work and will provide a vivid insight into how he has built an innovative business from the ground up.

“I’m confident our guests will be inspired by the sheer drive of this passionate modern day chocolatier who admits to being a dreamer and a doer.”

The event will take place at the Wynyard Rooms, Wynard Park House, from 6.30pm-8.30pm on
April 3.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .