Pastry chef launches seven-course chocolate tasting experience in Kings Langley

Chocolate lovers are being invited to experience their favourite treat in a completely new way as local pastry chef and chocolatier James Robinson launches Sinfully Sweet: A Chocolate Experience this September.

Taking place at Bea’s Coffee Barn in Kings Langley on Wednesday 23 September at 6:30pm, the one-night event will feature an imaginative seven-course chocolate tasting menu, designed to challenge the idea of what a chocolate dessert can be.

Created by James, owner of Sinfully Sweet Patisserie, the experience will take guests on a journey through different chocolates, textures, temperatures and flavour combinations — with everything from playful takes on familiar snacks to more unexpected sweet and savoury pairings.

Rather than a traditional dessert tasting, each course has been designed as its own miniature experience.

Guests can expect creations including milk chocolate foam with chocolate-coated crisps, aerated Dulcey chocolate with crispy chicken skins presented as a miniature basket of fried chicken, and a playful popcorn bucket filled with popcorn and chocolate mousse.

Later courses explore more refined combinations, including a dark chocolate and olive oil mousse rocher, before moving into a white chocolate, raspberry and hibiscus loaded cookie.

One of the evening’s most interactive dishes will be a chocolate and malted milk s’more, toasted tableside, before the menu concludes with a rich chocolate and hazelnut fondant.

Every guest will also leave with a Sinfully Sweet gift to take home.

James said the idea was born from wanting people to experience chocolate beyond the traditional chocolate bar, brownie or box of chocolates.

“I wanted to create an evening where chocolate is treated almost like a restaurant tasting menu. Some of the courses are fun and nostalgic, some are a little unexpected, and others are much more refined — but every course has chocolate at its heart.

“The idea behind Sinfully Sweet has always been to make chocolate exciting. I want people to come along not quite knowing what to expect and leave having experienced chocolate in ways they probably haven’t before.”

James works professionally as a pastry chef alongside running Sinfully Sweet Patisserie, his growing chocolate and patisserie business. His work has included developing high-end afternoon teas, chocolate creations and desserts, as well as competing in national pastry and chocolate competitions.

The tasting night forms part of Sinfully Sweet’s move into food experiences and events, alongside its range of handcrafted chocolates and sweet treats.

The event is being hosted in collaboration with Bea’s Coffee Barn, where Sinfully Sweet products are also available locally.

James added: “There is something completely different about sitting down and experiencing food together rather than simply buying a product. I want the evening to be relaxed, fun and slightly theatrical — not a formal fine-dining experience.

“Hopefully people will come away looking at chocolate a little differently.”

Tickets for the first event are £40 per person and can be purchased through the Sinfully Sweet website or in person at Bea’s Coffee Barn. Places are limited.