Have you entered our 12-days of Christmas advent calendar? click here

Become a Chocolatier with tips from our Executive Chef

Right now, we don’t have the option to head down to the shops whenever we feel a craving for chocolate but most of us do have plenty of time on our hands to learn new skills and perfect existing ones to make chocolate treats.

On this Easter weekend our Executive Chef Graham Tinsley wants to show people how to make scrumptious, all-natural chocolate at home using just a few basic ingredients and by following a few of his insider tips.

Graham explains, “The way to prepare the best chocolate to prevent it having a dull greyish colour and an off-putting waxy texture is through a process called tempering which prevents the cocoa fat separating out. This is an essential step for smooth, glossy, evenly coloured coating for chocolate and it produces a crisp, satisfying snap when you bite into it.

He continues, “The tempering process takes chocolate through a temperature curve which helps align the chocolate crystals and the easiest way to do this in by a method known as seeding.”

Easter is one of those “permissible indulgence” moments for enjoying chocolate and Graham concludes “Making your own all-natural chocolate following my guidance is even better than shop bought chocolate that can contain ingredients that are less appealing such as sugars, dyes and preservatives”.

Become a Chocolatier with tips from our Executive ChefBecome a Chocolatier with tips from our Executive ChefBecome a Chocolatier with tips from our Executive ChefBecome a Chocolatier with tips from our Executive ChefBecome a Chocolatier with tips from our Executive Chef

 

Tempering Chocolate

Tempering chocolate is an essential step for making a smooth, glossy, evenly coloured coating for your dipped chocolates and chocolate moulds. Tempering prevents the dull greyish colour and waxy texture that happens when the cocoa fat separates out. Tempered chocolate produces a crisp, satisfying snap when you bite into it. The tempering process takes chocolate through a temperature curve, a process which aligns the chocolate’s crystals to make it smooth, silky, and glossy.

The easiest way to do this is by the method known as seeding. Melt 2/3rds of your chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water until the chocolate is melted and the required temperature is reached. Then take the chocolate off the heat and add the last 1/3rd of chocolate and stir until completely dissolved. This will take a bit of practice to achieve the correct temperatures. A food thermometer is a must for achieving this

Become a Chocolatier with tips from our Executive Chef

 


@cardenpark

Keep up to date

The countdown to 2026 is on! 🍾

Indulge in a night of celebration at our adults only New Year's Eve Party. Included in your evening:
🍴Three course gala meal
🪩 Disco with a live band keeping the party going all night
🍾 Pre dinner drink
🎵 Traditional piper to welcome the New Year
🎆 Spectacular fireworks over the lake
🥃 Haggis, neeps and tatties with a nip o' whisky
🥓 Late night bacon rolls plus tea and coffee
🛏️ Overnight stay in a luxurious room
🥐 Full English and Continental breakfast
🏊 Use of the Leisure Club throughout your stay

It's time to celebrate in true style 

🎇 2026 // New Year's Eve party in Cheshire // Goodbye 2025 // Celebrate // Family party // Carden Park Hotel // Luxury hotel // Where to stay in Chester // Travel UK // NYE // Adults only New Year's Eve party
We'd joke and say our spa vouchers are great stocking fillers but we know we're bringing main present energy 💝

🎁 Christmas gift ideas // Spa days // Gift vouchers // Christmas presents // Luxury spa hotel // The Spa at Carden Park // Spas in Cheshire // Travel UK // Adults only spa in Chester // Heated outdoor pool // Hot tub // Sauna // Steam room // Massage and facial treatments // Beauty bar
Living the Christmas fairytale life 🧚

🎄Family Christmas memories // Winter break away in the UK // Luxury hotel in Chester // Cheshire // Carden Park Hotel at Christmas // Festive stays // Chester Zoo // Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet // Local attractions in Cheshire // Chester Christmas Markets
We all know how crazy the festive season can be and you deserve a little me-time 😌
Slip away on Boxing Day and retreat after Christmas before the festivities of the New Year begin 🪩 

🛷 Twixmas // Christmas break away // Luxury spa hotel in Cheshire // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel // Winter getaway // Gift ideas
🥁 Introducing our 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 yet! 🥁

We're fully in the festive spirit and sharing joy with our new 12 Days of Christmas giveaway. From the 1st to the 12th December, you can win a luxury Carden Park experience every day. Prizes include:
🫧 Magical spa days
🛏️ Relaxing stays
🍴Indulgent dining
🧗Thrilling outdoors fun
✨And more 

 To enter, all you need to do is sign up at the link in our bio 👆

💝 Christmas gift // Spa days in Chester // Spa break // Golf resort // Weekend Away // Renais // Bollinger // Germaine de Capuccini // Afternoon tea // Twilight spa night out // Chester Zoo // Luxury Hotel // Travel UK
When you just need a relaxing festive break away 🦌

Don't forget, right now all of our spa stay experiences are 10% off for bookings until the 23rd December. You'll need to hurry though, this exclusive offer ends on the 2nd December ❄️

🎄 Festive stays // Christmas break away in Cheshire // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel // Luxury hotel goals // Spa days // Spa break

We’d love to hear from you

Stay in touch

and receive the latest news, events and much more.

Thank You

"*" indicates required fields

Before we add you to our newsletter, please tell us a little more about what news you’d like to hear from us.

Send me news about

If you don’t make a selection, you will automatically be added to all communications

Topics
The legal bit