woohoo! I recently did a chocolate 'exchange' with the fabulous Gnosis chocolate company in USA. I have been admiring the website for ages, lusting after all thier genius flavour combinations and awesome packaging. They sent me a selection- all of which were great., particuarly thier "Originib" bars.

I just recieved a wonderful email from them, giving me feedback. The only bit that is dissapointing is the Rose chocolate feedback- I think the coconut oil may have gone bad in the heat, whilst in transit :-(

Hi Laura,

We were all very excited to receive your chocolates today!!

First off, we were all very impressed when we opened the boxes to see that the chocolates arrived beautifully intact!  In extremely hot weather, we typically include insulation for fear that our chocolate will melt, and with the heat we've been having this week, we were very happy to see the hearts unmelted.  Vanessa also loves your packaging!

The first ones we opened were the Mint and Raspberry ones.  They are gorgeous!  We work with natural colors, so we know how hard it is to blend cacao butter with powders, but yours look perfect.  I liked these two a lot; there was a nice sweetness to balance out the butter, and I thought they really complemented the chocolate.  The other chocolates were very nice, too.  The sour cherry (which was very sour) balanced nicely with the chocolate.  The smokey flavor was a bit intense, but enjoyable and unique in chocolate.  One of our Team members, Siobhan, LOVED the chai orange one!! 

The only one we did not enjoy was the rose one.  There was a funky, almost fishy flavor to it.  We are wondering if maybe one of your ingredients has gone bad. 

Thank you again so much!!  This was a lot of fun to "trade" chocolates.  Keep up the good work! :o)

Warmly,
Bridget

Hello Blog fans!

Right. I now have SEVERAL workshop dates booked in, hurry up and secure your place- they are getting booked up fast!

Im doing two, 2 hour workshops at The Gocery in Kingsland road. Its such a lovely shop/cafe and the perfect space to have an intimate group workshop- exploring the exciting world of Raw chocolate. As it is only a 2 hour session, we will be going over the basics. you will all get to feast on delicious treats and take some home with you too! The cost is just £35. It starts at 7pm and finishes at 9pm. email info@coxetersfayre.co.uk to book!

The other workshops I am teaching are at The delightful kitchen at Mother Earth in Newington green. In this 4 hour workshop, we will go over a few chocolate recipes, you will all get hands on and stuck in! There will also be a light lunch, hopefully in the garden if the weather is kind to us!
The price of this workshop is £75.

Dates are:  11th June and 2nd July at The Grocery
                  17th, 24th June and 1st July at Mother Earth

Workshops! Coming up- in East London. More dates to be announced soon!

WILD Cacao!

I experimented with Wild Balinese Cacao a couple of weeks ago. It has a very unusual 'smoky' flavour. I decided to team it with Almonds, Figs and Chai. (I used Cinnamon bark oil and Nutmeg oil, as well as sweet Orange)
 I think this is my favourite chocolate flavour to date! It has such a rich, complex flavour (I love Chai spices) The Figs and Almonds give a really nice texture.
I do believe Wild crafted Cacao to be better nutritionally, as well as being the most likely 'Truly Raw' Cacao.
 I shall be adding this to my repertoire and making it reguarly. People have been asking for more.........and MORE!

Hello Blog fans! Ive been busy in the kitchen! I made an Easter cake- with NO NUTS and only a small amount of raisins! It is a chocolate cake with a Raspberry & Acai frosting, Decorated with dried Raspberry, coconut and rose buds. I made one large starshaped one and a few small heart shaped ones. They went down very well :-)

I also made my boyfriend a Raspberry and coconut easter egg.......Didn't last long- I estimate around 6 minutes!

I also took some photos of the small chocolates I make sometimes. - Orange blossom, Coconut & Sour cherry, Peppermint, Raspberry, Cayenne & coconut and Rose

I did a Raw chocolate workshop in a corporate, office environment a few weeks ago. Not what Im used to, but it seemed to go down really well. Here is a sweet write up

www.jenrickblog.co.uk/2012/04/laura-coxeter-raw-chocolate-workshop

Hello Blog fans! Thought I would just post up some photos of things I have been eating, making and having fun with ;-)

Plans for the pop-up restaurant are going well- Watch this space. The website should be ready in the next month.

In other news- There are two new Raw cafes in London. I plan to visit both this week..so watch this space for reviews!

If you havn't already visited the Wild food Cafe in Neal's yard, London - DO! Its marvellous!

www.wildfoodcafe.com

New Grain! Tobia Teff. I found this today. Its from Ethiopia and apparently it is full of protein. I have yet to fully research it, but couldn't wait to try it in chocolate, see picture below. It is quite neutral in taste and is biscuity in texture, like little maltesers...

I hope you all had a delicious Valentines day, Lovers

A recipe for Soho house

www.houseseven.com/articles/winter-warmer-raw-vegan-hot-chocolate-recipe

Iv'e been busy in the kitchen making Rose Fudge.....amongst other things. Tomorrow Im teaching a Raw Chocolate workshop, I will be making Pink chocolate (using beetroot powder) Rose oil, Freeze dried raspberries and other such delights.....

x

Happy New Year!

Roll on 2012! Its going to beautiful!

My wonderfully talented friend made me this doll. you can see her work here: http://amandafatherazi.com/

She has also inspired me- she bought me this amazing little rubber mould- its a face. She suggested I try and make a chocolate cameo. Im going to get STRAIGHT into the kitchen at the weekend to try this idea out. The face will be a white chocolate, set against a dark chocolate. Then, once mastered, I can try pink and green (beetroot/barleygrass)

Merry Christmas!

I hope you have all had a wonderful time. I had my first ever London Christmas. A low key affair. Lots of cooking, Watching Films and cycling through the quiet streets of Hackney!

I decided not to have a 'Raw Christmas'. Instead, I resorted to Mum's trusty copy of The Cranks cookbook. We made a nut loaf. I tweaked it a little, adding Porchini mushrooms and chestnuts. I used Spelt bread instead of Wholewheat. I also Added a layer of Cranberries to the bottom of the loaf tin.

Looking ahead to The New year- Im gearing up to start meetings with Chris, to discuss the new series of Supper clubs. We hope to hold the first one in February.

I am also thinking about making a limited edition, hand printed recipe booklet. I plan to work on this project with an Artist/Graphic designer friend of mine. He is keen to use lots of traditional Letterpress and screen printing techniques. I want delicious photography...all faded colours and gaudy vintage crockery.

Wishing you all a Peaceful, happy and healthy Festive time.

Roll on 2012!

Wow! What a response!

Wow! What a response! Im overwhelmed. I admit it was strange watching myself on T.V. I think everybody involved should be proud! It was such a fantastic experience. It seems Chris and I have inspired many viewers! I guess that is all we could ever wish for- to spread the word about nutritious gourmet food!

A few emails that I received today:

Dear Laura,
I saw your wonderful food on Hugh's programme last night, what an inspiration you are. I have already downloaded recipe for chocolate tart. I've only just found out I'm allegic to Gluten and Dairy ( and who knows what else I might be allergic to - now I've started to look!). So I was wondering if you have ANY of your lovely products available to purchase. If so could you please send me a list. Also, I note you don't use Soya and as I have been advised to use this instead of cow's milk, I wondered if you knew of a better alternative? I'm sure you're going to be madly busy after inspiring us all last night, so don't expect to hear from you for a while, but if I could buy any treats in time for Christmas that would be fantastic. I can't really thank you enough for changing the way I think about food. Overnight, I've gone from feeling incredibly negative about food thinking I might never enjoy it again to feeling that being allergic to so many things might just be the best thing that has happened to me. I can't wait to start eating food that is going to be good for me.
Kind Regards

Awesome Laura!
Please either marry me, go into business with me, cook for me, or tell me where I can buy!

:)

Hello Laura, Thank you for your appearance on 'River Cottage'. I was most impressed by the raw food you and Chris prepared in the show. I have always enjoyed eating raw food but Chris's food was a new dimension. Hopefully a cook book is being worked on. I have found your website with your wonderful puddings. I am interested in doing a work shop can you send me details please? Is the old church your restaurant, where is it and is it open to the public ? Thank you Hi All Hope you don't mind me emailing, just a quickie to say I'm not even vegetarian (anymore) but your food was inspirational on 'The Hugh Show'. Have you a book out? You should have a book out. Thanks

Coxeter's Fayre on River Cottage !!!

TONIGHT! I make my T.V Debut! Tune into Chanel 4 at 8pm, or catch it on 4OD.

My Chocolate Ganache tart recipe is also on the Chanel 4 website! Please get in touch if you make this recipe at home, I would love to hear some feedback! Photos would also be great!

Don't forget, if you are interested in hosting a chocolate making workshop for parties of between 5-20, get in touch.

http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/chefs/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall/raw-chocolate-ganache-tart-recipe

Coconut Sugar!

From now on, I will no longer be using Agave in my chocolates. I am now using Coconut sugar. I am a total convert to this ingredient. It is far superior nutritionally, as well as having a much richer, more complex flavour.

Check it out for yourself! It is very low GI and is also very Mineral rich.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_sugar

Samosa time! With Chris!

Last night, Chris made samosas! We were re-creating this dish, in order to photograph it for the Chanel 4 website, where this, along with all the other featured dishes in the series, will be posted. (including my chocolate ganache tart)!

I thought I would share these photos, as they are mouth- watering and inspiring!