Classes and Events
Nicola’s Exclusive Chocolate Tasting Events and Making Classes
Indulge in the world of fine chocolate with our exclusive tasting events and hands-on making classes, periodically hosted at Greendale Farm Cafe. These events are designed to offer a unique and immersive experience, where you can learn about the journey of cacao from bean to bar, explore the subtle nuances of different chocolate varieties, and even create your own handcrafted chocolates. Whether you are a chocolate connoisseur or simply looking for a delicious activity, our events promise a memorable and tasty adventure.
Check back on our website for the latest listings of upcoming events. We also cater to corporate events, private bookings, and parties. If you have specific requirements or wish to organize a personalised chocolate experience, please reach out through our contact page. Let us help you create an unforgettable chocolate journey tailored to your needs.
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Adventure
A hands-on chocolate-making experience with Nicola.
Overview
Step into the world of real chocolate making with our Bean to Bar Chocolate Adventure workshop - a 2-hour immersive session where you’ll transform raw cacao beans into your very own handcrafted chocolate bar.
Guided by Nicola, you’ll discover the magic behind bean-to-bar chocolate - roasting, cracking, winnowing, grinding, and tempering - as you explore each step of the craft. It’s a sensory journey that blends science, creativity, and indulgence.
Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a curious foodie, or looking for a unique gift experience, this adventure invites you to slow down, make something beautiful by hand, and taste the difference of handcrafted, bean-to-bar chocolate.
Perfect For
Chocolate lovers and foodies
Couples and friends seeking a creative experience
Corporate or team-building sessions
Anyone curious about how real chocolate is made
Session Details
🕒 Duration: 2 hours
📍 Location: Nicola’s Chocolate Factory
💰 Price: £55 per person
🎁 Includes: All materials, tasters, and your handmade chocolate to take home
Book Your Spot
Spaces are limited to keep the experience personal (and the factory is tiny!).
Chocolate Making for Curious Kids (Age 5+)
february half-term chocolate adventures
Join us at Nicola’s Chocolate this February half term for small-group, hands-on chocolate workshops designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
Led by Nicola, a self-taught bean-to-bar chocolate maker, these workshops introduce children to real chocolate making using ethically sourced cacao - tasting, creating, and learning in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Each child will take home the chocolate they make, along with a Young Chocolate Maker certificate.
Places are limited to keep sessions calm, focused, and fun.
Hands-on chocolate making for curious kids (age 5+)
£22 per child | 90 minutes
A playful, creative introduction to chocolate for younger children.
In this guided session, children will:
Discover where chocolate comes from using real cacao beans
Make and decorate their own chocolate lollipops
Taste two different chocolates and explore flavour
Wrap their creations to take home
Receive a Young Chocolate Maker certificate
This workshop is designed to be engaging and confidence-building, with plenty of hands-on activity and gentle guidance throughout.
Perfect for first workshops and younger chocolate lovers.
FAQ’s
Why are these workshops priced higher than some other children’s activities?
Our workshops are small-group, hands-on chocolate experiences led by Nicola, the bean-to-bar maker behind Nicola’s Chocolate Adventures.
Children work with real artisan chocolate made on site, learn where chocolate comes from, taste different flavours, and create something they’re genuinely proud of. Sessions are limited to just 6 children so everyone receives individual guidance in a calm, supportive environment.
This isn’t a drop-in craft table or party activity — it’s a guided making experience using the same chocolate we sell in our shop.
What’s included in the workshop?
Each workshop includes:
guided chocolate making with a professional chocolate maker
tasting and learning about real cacao
everything needed to make and decorate chocolate
wrapping to take creations home
a Young Chocolate Maker certificate
All materials are included in the price.
Are the workshops suitable for children with nut allergies?
The workshops are nut-aware, and we do not add nuts as ingredients during the sessions.
However, chocolate is made in a workshop that handles nuts, so we cannot guarantee a nut-free environment.
If your child has a severe allergy, please contact us before booking so we can advise honestly.
Can parents stay during the workshop?
Yes - parents are very welcome to stay.
Some parents choose to browse the shop or relax nearby, while others prefer to stay close for reassurance, especially with younger children. We’re happy either way.
How many children are in each session?
We limit sessions to 6 children to keep the experience calm, focused, and enjoyable. Occasionally, we may release an extra space if sessions sell out.
Do children need to bring anything?
No - everything is provided.
We recommend comfortable clothes (chocolate can be messy!) and tying back long hair.
Do you run these workshops regularly?
We run children’s workshops mainly during school holidays, and spaces are limited.
Half-term and Easter sessions often fill quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.
Make Your Own Chocolate Bar (Age 8+)
february half-term chocolate adventures
Join us at Nicola’s Chocolate this February half term for small-group, hands-on chocolate workshops designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
Led by Nicola, a self-taught bean-to-bar chocolate maker, these workshops introduce children to real chocolate making using ethically sourced cacao - tasting, creating, and learning in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Each child will take home the chocolate they make, along with a Young Chocolate Maker certificate.
Places are limited to keep sessions calm, focused, and fun.
Make Your Own Chocolate Bar (Age 8+)
£32 per child | 90 minutes
A more in-depth chocolate making experience for older children.
During this session, children will:
Learn how chocolate is made from bean to bar
Explore flavour through tasting single-origin chocolate
Create and customise their own chocolate bar
Design a label and wrap their bar to take home
Receive a Young Chocolate Maker certificate
This workshop suits children who enjoy learning new skills and understanding how things are made.
FAQ’s
Why are these workshops priced higher than some other children’s activities?
Our workshops are small-group, hands-on chocolate experiences led by Nicola, the bean-to-bar maker behind Nicola’s Chocolate Adventures.
Children work with real artisan chocolate made on site, learn where chocolate comes from, taste different flavours, and create something they’re genuinely proud of. Sessions are limited to just 6 children so everyone receives individual guidance in a calm, supportive environment.
This isn’t a drop-in craft table or party activity — it’s a guided making experience using the same chocolate we sell in our shop.
What’s included in the workshop?
Each workshop includes:
guided chocolate making with a professional chocolate maker
tasting and learning about real cacao
everything needed to make and decorate chocolate
wrapping to take creations home
a Young Chocolate Maker certificate
All materials are included in the price.
Are the workshops suitable for children with nut allergies?
The workshops are nut-aware, and we do not add nuts as ingredients during the sessions.
However, chocolate is made in a workshop that handles nuts, so we cannot guarantee a nut-free environment.
If your child has a severe allergy, please contact us before booking so we can advise honestly.
Can parents stay during the workshop?
Yes - parents are very welcome to stay.
Some parents choose to browse the shop or relax nearby, while others prefer to stay close for reassurance, especially with younger children. We’re happy either way.
How many children are in each session?
We limit sessions to 6 children to keep the experience calm, focused, and enjoyable. Occasionally, we may release an extra space if sessions sell out.
Do children need to bring anything?
No - everything is provided.
We recommend comfortable clothes (chocolate can be messy!) and tying back long hair.
Do you run these workshops regularly?
We run children’s workshops mainly during school holidays, and spaces are limited.
Half-term and Easter sessions often fill quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Adventure
A hands-on chocolate-making experience with Nicola.
Overview
Step into the world of real chocolate making with our Bean to Bar Chocolate Adventure workshop - a 2-hour immersive session where you’ll transform raw cacao beans into your very own handcrafted chocolate bar.
Guided by Nicola, you’ll discover the magic behind bean-to-bar chocolate - roasting, cracking, winnowing, grinding, and tempering - as you explore each step of the craft. It’s a sensory journey that blends science, creativity, and indulgence.
Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a curious foodie, or looking for a unique gift experience, this adventure invites you to slow down, make something beautiful by hand, and taste the difference of handcrafted, bean-to-bar chocolate.
Perfect For
Chocolate lovers and foodies
Couples and friends seeking a creative experience
Corporate or team-building sessions
Anyone curious about how real chocolate is made
Session Details
🕒 Duration: 2 hours
📍 Location: Nicola’s Chocolate Factory
💰 Price: £55 per person
🎁 Includes: All materials, tasters, and your handmade chocolate to take home
Book Your Spot
Spaces are limited to keep the experience personal (and the factory is tiny!).
Introduction to Fine Chocolate Tasting
Join Nicola on a delicious and informative journey through the basics of what is fine chocolate and the sensory elements used in chocolate tasting.
In the class Nicola will take you on a guided tour of how chocolate is grown and made (from tree to bar), and you will taste 5 or more different origin fine dark chocolate bars from around the chocolate globe.
An idea of what we will discuss:
What is fine chocolate?
How the cacao is produced, and how chocolate is made.
Taste and profile fine chocolate using each of our five senses.
Begin to develop a chocolate tasting vocabulary.
Background information about each of the chocolate makers.
Ticket price includes all samples for the tasting, and 1 mini bar to take home.
available dates: choose either sunday 2nd or sunday 23rd november
Tickets: £25.00 per person
Mini Chocolate Factory Tour and Tasting
Come join Nicola for a sweet adventure as we take you on a behind-the-scenes journey through the magical world of chocolate making from bean-to-bar.
During the tour, you'll get to see the chocolate-making process up close, from roasting and grinding the cacao beans to molding and packaging the final product. And the best part? You'll even get to sample some freshly made chocolates along the way!
Whether you're a chocolate connoisseur or just have a sweet tooth, this tour is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about the delicious world of chocolate.
Each session lasts up to one hour, and includes tasting our range of chocolate and the opportunity to ask any chocolate related questions you may have!
Children's Chocolate Lollipop Making
School Summer Holiday Fun!
Looking for a sweet and creative activity to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays? Join us at Exeter’s tiny chocolate factory, every Tuesday throughout the school holidays for our Children’s Chocolate Lollipop Making Workshop – the perfect hands-on treat for young chocolate lovers!
What’s Included:
Each child will make their own milk chocolate lollipop
Choose from a delicious variety of fun toppings to decorate
Learn how real chocolate is made – from bean to bar
Take home your handcrafted chocolate creation!
Set inside our charming mini chocolate factory in Exeter, this workshop is ideal for children aged 5 and over. While they get creative with chocolate, they’ll also discover how we craft our chocolate from scratch, using ethically sourced cocoa beans and simple techniques.
Spaces are limited, so booking is essential.
Come and stir, swirl, and sprinkle your way through a chocolatey adventure this summer – and leave with a smile (and something sweet)!
£12 per child
Mini Chocolate Factory TourS
Every hour on the hour - Free to join
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how real chocolate is made, right here in our brand new tiny factory shop! On this 15 minute guided tour, you’ll follow the journey from cacao bean to chocolate bar, discovering each step of the craft process - from sorting, roasting, cracking, and grinding, to tempering and moulding.
You’ll get to:
👃 Smell freshly roasted cacao
👀 See real equipment in action
🖐 Touch raw beans and nibs
🍫 Taste chocolate at different stages
📸 And snap a photo at our “I Took the Chocolate Adventure” backdrop!
Whether you’re a curious foodie, a chocolate superfan, or just love to learn something new - this tour is for you.
Book to secure a space, as we can only squeeze in 5 people! Please show up a few minutes before the hour.
Perfect for families, friends, and chocolate lovers of all ages.
Introduction to Fine Chocolate Tasting
Join Exe Nicola on a delicious and informative journey through the basics of what is fine chocolate and the sensory elements used in chocolate tasting.
In the class Nicola will take you on a guided tour of how chocolate is grown and made (from tree to bar), and you will taste 5 or more different origin fine dark chocolate bars from around the chocolate globe.
An idea of what we will discuss:
What is fine chocolate?
How the cacao is produced, and how chocolate is made.
Taste and profile fine chocolate using each of our five senses.
Begin to develop a chocolate tasting vocabulary.
Background information about each of the chocolate makers.
Ticket price includes all samples for the tasting, and 1 mini bar to take home.
Drinks must be purchased separately.
Tickets: £25.00 per person
Chocolate Tasting and Making - Taste East Devon Festival Event
Learn how to taste fine chocolate like a pro and make your own chocolate bar, in this bean-to-bar chocolate experience.
Join Nicola Knight, chief chocolate maker at Exe Chocolate, certified chocolate taster and international chocolate judge on an exciting and delicious journey to discover fine chocolate, and learn to become a fine chocolate connoisseur! In the session we will learn how chocolate is made from bean-to-bar, taste 5-8 different origin dark chocolates, learn about the makers, and test our tasting skills with a blind tasting.
Following the tasting, guests will make their own chocolate bar from Nicola's chocolate handcrafted in Exeter, and top with a range of inclusions made or grown right here in Devon.
The session is suitable for vegans.
Tickets cost includes all chocolate samples and materials.
Tickets £30 per person
Father's Day Fine Chocolate Tasting
Are you looking for something different for Dad this Father’s Day? Can’t bring yourself to buy another pair of socks? Why not gift him a chocolate tasting experience instead! Perfect for dad’s who are chocolate mad, or love fine wines, coffee, or exploring new flavours.
Join Exe Chocolate founder and chief chocolate maker Nicola on a delicious and informative journey through the basics of what is fine chocolate and the sensory elements used in chocolate tasting.
In the class Nicola will take you on a guided tour of how chocolate is grown and made (from tree to bar), and you will taste 5 or more different origin fine dark chocolate bars from around the chocolate globe.
An idea of what we will discuss:
What is fine chocolate?
How the cacao is produced, and how chocolate is made.
Taste and profile fine chocolate using each of our five senses.
Begin to develop a chocolate tasting vocabulary.
Background information about each of the chocolate makers.
Ticket price includes all samples for the tasting, and 1 Exe Chocolate mini bar to take home and a drink from the Greendale bar/cafe.
Tickets £30pp, available from Greendale Farm directly by clicking here.
Bean-to-bar chocolate making: Learn how you can craft chocolate from scratch at home - ONLINE CLASS
In this comprehensive online chocolate making course for beginners, you'll learn how to make your own incredible bean-to-bar chocolate right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Led by Nicola (chocolate maker, teacher of 17 years and tutor with the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting), you'll begin by exploring the history of chocolate and its cultural significance, followed by an introduction into cocoa beans and their origins, before discovering how they’re transformed into the chocolate we all know and love. From there, you'll move on to the practical skills you'll need to make your own chocolate, including roasting, cracking, winnowing, and grinding cocoa beans, refining chocolate, and tempering.
Along the way, you'll learn about the various types of chocolate, the role of different ingredients and equipment, and best practices for achieving the perfect flavour and texture.
This course is perfect for you if you are a chocolate enthusiast who wants to learn more about chocolate and find out how you can create bean-to-bar treats for your family and friends. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to create the chocolate, and be able to customise it to your own tastes and preferences.
The detailed schedule and course handbook will be sent to you after booking, along with a list of all recommended resources and equipment to get started on your chocolate making adventure.
-
This course is taught as two live Zoom webinars. Recordings will be available to view after the live sessions.
Instructions for joining will be emailed to you shortly before the course begins.
-
Module 1 - June 1st 2024, 6pm BST
Module 2 - June 2nd 2024, 11am BST
-
The course fee is £210 GBP, which includes:
Two live webinars and the recordings to watch at your leisure.
A course handbook detailing the materials and equipment you’ll need to get started, and notes from the lessons.
Lifetime access to the course Telegram group, for asking questions and communicating with your classmates.
“Nicola breaks each process down into a simple chunk of information, which makes it easy to follow. Not giving too many different options for each process was also good for a beginner (me!) - I made my very first batch straight after attending her course and it was a success!”
“As a chocolate taster, I really enjoyed learning hands on skills to make chocolate myself. The course was practical, and support is provided to get you started on your chocolate making journey.”
Introduction to Fine Chocolate Tasting
Join Exe Chocolate founder and chief chocolate maker Nicola on a delicious and informative journey through the basics of what is fine chocolate and the sensory elements used in chocolate tasting.
In the class Nicola will take you on a guided tour of how chocolate is grown and made (from tree to bar), and you will taste 5 or more different origin fine dark chocolate bars from around the chocolate globe.
An idea of what we will discuss:
What is fine chocolate?
How the cacao is produced, and how chocolate is made.
Taste and profile fine chocolate using each of our five senses.
Begin to develop a chocolate tasting vocabulary.
Background information about each of the chocolate makers.
Ticket price includes all samples for the tasting, and 1 Exe Chocolate mini bar to take home.
Drinks must be purchased separately.
Tickets: £25.00 per person
Easy Chocolate Tempering: ONLINE CLASS
In this one hour online lesson you will learn 3 simple techniques to perfectly temper chocolate at home with minimal equipment. I will talk you through, and demonstrate the stages to get a perfect shine and snap every time.
We will explore microwave tempering, tempering with seed and making your own cocoa butter silk.
Tickets: £39 per person
Valentine’s Chocolate Making! IN PERSON
Come along to the Boatyard Bakery to learn how to craft your very own batch of single-origin chocolate, starting from selecting your cocoa beans through roasting, winnowing and grinding to moulding up and decorating your own bars with a range of Valentine’s inspired inclusions.
I will guide you through the process, while explaining the science behind chocolate making, and we will be tasting and exploring ingredients as we go. You'll go home with your own chocolate bars to share with friends and family!
This is an exclusive event with only 4 spaces as it’s a very tiny chocolate factory! The session is perfect for couples. If you would like to book a private session please send me a message through the contact page.
You will also receive a 10% discount on any Exe Chocolate products purchased at the event.
Tickets: £75 per person
Chocolate Making! IN PERSON
Come along to the Boatyard Bakery to learn how to craft your very own batch of single-origin chocolate, starting from selecting your cocoa beans through roasting, winnowing and grinding to moulding up and decorating your own bars with a range of winter inspired inclusions.
I will guide you through the process, while explaining the science behind chocolate making, and we will be tasting and exploring ingredients as we go. You'll go home with your own chocolate bars to share with friends and family!
This is an exclusive event with only 4 spaces as it’s a very tiny chocolate factory! The session is perfect for couples or family groups. If you would like to book a private session please send me a message through the contact page.
You will also receive a 10% discount on any Exe Chocolate products purchased at the event.
Tickets: £75 per person
Easy Chocolate Tempering: ONLINE CLASS
In this one hour online lesson you will learn 3 simple techniques to perfectly temper chocolate at home with minimal equipment. I will talk you through, and demonstrate the stages to get a perfect shine and snap every time.
We will explore microwave tempering, tempering with seed and making your own cocoa butter silk.
Tickets: £39 per person
Bean-to-bar chocolate making: Learn how you can craft chocolate from scratch at home - ONLINE CLASS
In this comprehensive online chocolate making course for beginners, you'll learn how to make your own incredible bean-to-bar chocolate right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Led by Nicola (chocolate maker, teacher of 17 years and tutor with the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting), you'll begin by exploring the history of chocolate and its cultural significance, followed by an introduction into cocoa beans and their origins, before discovering how they’re transformed into the chocolate we all know and love. From there, you'll move on to the practical skills you'll need to make your own chocolate, including roasting, cracking, winnowing, and grinding cocoa beans, refining chocolate, and tempering.
Along the way, you'll learn about the various types of chocolate, the role of different ingredients and equipment, and best practices for achieving the perfect flavour and texture.
This course is perfect for you if you are a chocolate enthusiast who wants to learn more about chocolate and find out how you can create bean-to-bar treats for your family and friends. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to create the chocolate, and be able to customise it to your own tastes and preferences.
The detailed schedule and course handbook will be sent to you after booking, along with a list of all recommended resources and equipment to get started on your chocolate making adventure.
-
This course is taught as a series of three live Zoom webinars. Recordings will be available to view after the live sessions.
Instructions for joining will be emailed to you shortly before the course begins.
-
Module 1 - Oct 13th, 7pm BST
Module 2 - Oct 14th, 6pm BST
Module 3 - Oct 15th, 10am BST
-
The course fee is £239 GBP, which includes:
Three live webinars and the recordings to watch at your leisure.
A course handbook detailing the materials and equipment you’ll need to get started, and notes from the lessons.
Lifetime access to the course Telegram group, for asking questions and communicating with your classmates.
“Nicola breaks each process down into a simple chunk of information, which makes it easy to follow. Not giving too many different options for each process was also good for a beginner (me!) - I made my very first batch straight after attending her course and it was a success!”
Exeter Chocolate Tasters Club
Come and join Nicola Knight (Exe Chocolate maker, certified chocolate taster and tutor) and other local chocolate enthusiasts at the tiny chocolate factory (housed at the Boatyard Bakery on Exeter quay) on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.
Sessions can be booked on a pay-as-you-go basis (if spaces are available). The fee of £7.50 is to cover the cost of the chocolate that we will be tasting.
You will also receive a 10% discount on any chocolate purchases made at the event.
September’s theme is: The Taste of Autumn!
Come along to taste and learn about craft chocolate with Autumnal inclusions and flavours.
Also you will be the first to taste my new bar before I launch it in October!
Tickets: £7.50 per person
