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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”.
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
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Merry Christmas from all of us at Carden Park. May your day be filled with joyful moments 🎄
🚨 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 🚨There`s no need to panic, there`s still time to buy your gifts ready for Christmas Day 🎁🎅Christmas present ideas // Father Christmas // Christmas Eve // Gift experiences // Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire // Luxury spa in Chester // Hotel goals // Travel UK // Outdoor activities // Golf course // Afternoon tea // Dining // Food and drink // Restaurants in Chester // Gift voucher
🩵 Embrace a Little Winter Love 🩵 Find stillness and tranquility in the new year with an unforgettable moment of me-time. Included in your retreat:🫧 Morning garden experience from 9:30am to 1:30pm🫧 50 minute wellbeing treatment🫧 Choice of a detox smoothie or wellness tea🫧 Evening meal in either Redmond`s Brasserie or The Vines🫧 Overnight stay🫧 Breakfast the following morning🫧 Use of the Leisure ClubA Little Winter Love spa break is available from the 2nd January until the 28th February 2026 ✨ Spa breaks in Cheshire // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel // Winter spa day // Health and wellbeing // New year reset // New Year, New Me // Spa treatment // Hot tub // Heated outdoor pool // Sauna // Steam room // Fire pit // Spa garden in Chester
Tag someone below to let them know all you really want for Christmas is right here 💝 🎅Christmas gift ideas // All I Want For Christmas // Secret Santa // Luxury gift experiences in Cheshire // Carden Park // Present ideas // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel // The Vines 3 AA Rosette Restaurant // Golf course // Outdoor activities // Hotel stays // Family break away
Send this to someone who needs a hint 🫶 🫧 Spa days in Cheshire // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel // Hot tub // Date night ideas // Sunset // Travel UK // Girls spa day // Spa break in Chester
Dear Santa, please, please, please could I have a Carden Park voucher for Christmas? 🙏🎅Carden Park Hotel // luxury spa // golf course // Cheshire // gift ideas // Christmas present // fine dining // afternoon tea // spa treatment // family time // holiday // travel UK
Stop romanticising your life and live the dream 💭Treat your special someone to a romantic night away. Included in your Wine and Dine stay:🛏️ Luxurious room 🍷 Bottle of house wine (your choice of red, white or rosé)🍴An evening meal in either Redmond`s Brasserie or The Vines🏊 Access to the Leisure ClubEnhance your stay with a spa experience, a round of golf or turn up the fun at Pursuits at Carden🍷🍴 Wine and Dine // Romantic break away // Couple date ideas in Chester // Where to eat in Cheshire // The Vines Restaurant // 3 AA Rosette restaurant //
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 stayIt`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
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