More than Vikings and Romans!

People associate York with the rich history of the Vikings and Romans however another story has been told! York's proud history of chocolate and its chocolatiers! I did The Rowntree Society's Rowntree Walk recently;and one will think of Rowntree for its Smarties, Fruit Gums, Polos and so on.  Joseph Rowntree was certainly more than confectionery - a forward thinking philanthropist, a reputed employer, a radical thinker and a social innovator! Rowntree was born in 1831 in York and died in 1925.  His spirit and legacy continues to live on till this very day!

I began the route at Lendal Bridge passing Tanners Moat where Rowntree and his brother began their confectionery business and occupied the premises until 1908.  I continued via the Museum Gardens and Marygate until I reached Penn House, known as Top House, where Rowntree and his family lived for forty years or so.

I turned right at Boothams where the school was founded in 1822 and the former Quakers boys school is where Rowntree spent his schooling.  Passing the York Theatre Royal, on St Leonard's, I turned right, along Museum Street, to York's Central Library.  To library began as a factory library for Rowntree's employees and Rowntree and his son, Seebohm, established the city's first public library, opening in 1927.

I stopped for refreshments at the York Cocoa House and embraced the wonders of cacao,cocoa and chocolate.  Their darkest hot chocolate (and their chocolate menu) is certainly recommended!  Afterwards I continued to Lady Peckitt's Yard, adjacent to 28 Pavement where Rowntree's father had his grocery business.  There the Quakers ran its first adult school where Rowntree's family taught men to read and write.  The classes were eventually attended by women.

Walmgate and Fossgate is next accessed.  This area once belonged to the many Irish refugees who fled from the potato famine.  There is where Rowntree's father set up a soup kitchen.   Nearby is Rowntree Wharf; this building was originally a mill but it then became Rowntree and Co's Navigation Warehouse in 1935.  Retracing steps back to Fossgate and Castlegate I took a detour to the Friends' Meeting House where Rowntree, a Quaker, worshipped.

An interesting walk which offers and insight into Joseph Rowntree and his life as well as chocolate!

Being a guest at York Central Clandestine Cake Club, York Cocoa House - 8th April 2015

I recently attended York Central's Clandestine Cake Club event as a guest at York Cocoa House.  Their event coincided with Yorkshire's Chocolate Festival which took place over the Easter weekend.

York Cocoa House, a chocolate heaven!

York Central Clandestine Cake Club - Cakes galore!!!

The members and guests brought a variety of chocolate cakes for everyone to sample.  All of them looked amazing! As my friend says "choc-tastic"!  I was able to try some of them though unfortunately not all of them as I didn't have room as I've got full rather quickly!  The cakes I did try were delicious especially the After Eight Mints cake (by Libby). I admire how the cakes tied with York's proud chocolate history; I paid homage to Noel Goddard Terry by baking a Terry's Dark Chocolate Orange cake using Rachel Allen's recipe.  I was pleased how my cake turned out and how well it was received.

My cake! Terry's Chocolate Orange Cake

One could not think of a better place than hosting it at York Cocoa House.  Sophie Jewett and her colleagues made everyone welcome and we were treated to a chocolate demonstration and we had the privilege of having Lynn Hill, founder of the Clandestine Cake Club, join our company that evening. York Cocoa House is one chocolate heaven where they offer a wide range of chocolatey drinks.  Their dark chocolate shakes are to live for!!!

Lynn Hill, founder of Clandestine Cake Club, opening the event

A great evening in all where members and guests left for home taking slices of their favourite cakes. As well as chocolate I've been inspired by cake! So I have joined as a Clandestine Cake Club member and hope to support at least some of the forthcoming cake events here in Leeds and beyond!  Further information about the cake club can be found here.

Sophie Jewett, founder of York Cocoa House, giving us a chocolate demonstration

You can read more about the event, written by the York Central CCC Organiser, Rebecca D'Agostino, here.  

Some more chocolatey discoveries will be posted here in this blog soon!