What would it take to be the Best Luxury Chocolate Bar in the UK? Luxury and chocolate are synonymous, with the velvety sweet indulgence of chocolate being artisanally crafted into a smorgasbord of decadent pairings, formulations and heavenly treats. Going behind the scenes to see exactly what goes into the world’s most loved and treasured confectionary, is an adventure all on its own. Patisserie-Conseil, based in the heart of London, has just been awarded the coveted ‘Best Luxury Chocolate Bar, UK, 2021‘, by the globally acclaimed Luxury Lifestyle Awards. Here we delve into what sets this patisserie apart, shining a lasting legacy for future generations.

One can expect the unexpected at Patisserie-Conseil. When thinking about luxury chocolate, one almost imagines rivers of creamy milk flowing through ground cocoa beans. Surprisingly, Patisserie-Conseil does not use a drop of dairy in their award-winning creations, making them 100% vegan and entirely plant-based! This is a certain plus-factor for new generation consumers who are far more conscious about what goes into their body, and anti-animal cruelty ambassadors. Taking it a wonderful step further, they are also organic, meaning no nasty pesticides have infiltrated the quality of your food, an extra boost for health. Their aptly named ‘vintage’ chocolate represents a supremely healthier product from traditional bean- to-bar processing. In fact, their dark chocolate only has three ingredients: cocoa beans, cocoa butter and unrefined coconut palm sugar. This too distinguishes them against other manufacturers, as they widely tend to use other additives.

As much dedication and focus has been placed on the nutritional integrity and product profile, so too have Patisserie-Conseil committed to ethical trading, ensuring their ingredients are from sustainable sources, and that the communities who farm them are paid fairly. This contributes to a healthier market ecosystem, reducing exploitation and uplifting people. Another of their core ideologies is that life and food should be a fun and enjoyable experience, and they set out to achieve just this, balanced perfectly with their ethical trading and plant-based wholesome chocolate production.

Their creative production starts by sourcing the most exceptional, award-winning single-estate cocoa beans. Make no mistake, this is no small task and requires an intense search – much like a treasure hunt. Their radical dedication to the quality and character of their chocolate products finds them travelling the globe, forming positive relationships with cocoa farmers. This effort results in them being able to secure the finest beans for their farm-to-table operation. Beginning with the end in mind, too, they set out to produce a product that is complex as it delights the senses: aroma, texture, flavor, appearance, and complex notes of floral, fruity, earthy, vegetal, sweet and forested. A true representation of the unique plantation the beans originate from.

One can shop decadent delights from their handcrafted range of chocolate treats – always a perfect gift for any and all occasions. For the love of chocolate though, a tour of their Boutique Chocolate Laboratory is a must. These specialty tastings invite you into the inner workings of the chocolate production process. A highly insightful, rare and inspiring experience, also making an unusual and thoughtful gift. Their current range of delectable dark-chocolate options are from Brazil, Ecuador, India, Madagascar, Tanzania, Uganda, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Sao Tome & Principe and Nicaragua. This presents an opportunity to taste side-by-side all the different regions, giving so much more depth to the versatility and complexity of a chocolate tasting.

Reputable teacher in the world renowned Ferrandi Paris (The French School of Culinary Arts), owner, founder, CEO and Chef Rodrigue Joab is at the helm of this premium craft chocolate bar. Not one to keep his mastery to himself, Joab dedicates much of his time teaching his knowledge to vulnerable people. He has worked with top chefs, luxury restaurants and hotels, and trains aspiring pastry chefs at distinguished institutions.

One thing is clear: A trip to London is incomplete without picking up some chocolate bars from this world-class patisserie. Make sure it’s on your bucket list!