THE STAR of a television series following his efforts to establish his brand using 100 per cent cacao chocolate in the UK will be at an award-winning Somerset farm shop on Friday, February 24.
Willie Harcourt-Cooze from Willie’s Cacao, who featured in Channel 4’s 2008 fly-on-the-wall documentary, will be at Rumwell Farm Shop to chat to visitors from 12noon to 3pm.
Anne Mitchell, Partner at the farm shop, on the A38 between Taunton and Wellington, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Willie here in the building this Friday to chat to our customers about his products and to offer free samples.
"Willie came to fame when he was featured in the TV series called ‘Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory’, which showed how he launched his brand of 100% cacao chocolate.
“Since then, his business, which is based just over the border from us in Uffculme, Devon, has gone from strength-to-strength and he has appeared on numerous other TV and radio shows, and in the national press.
"His products are stocked nationwide by many independent retailers like us, who champion British, Westcountry and local brands, as well as being sold in discerning well-known national stores. Willie’s cacao chocolate products make wonderful weekly treats but are also fabulous as gifts, so they are ideal for Mothering Sunday and Easter, which are both coming up soon.”
Willie set up his business with the aim to introduce everyone to artisan chocolate that had pure, beautiful flavours.
He said: “I left my cocoa farm in Venezuela to set up Britain’s first bean to bar chocolate factory. I use only the world’s great single estate cacaos, which, like fine wines, all have highly individual flavours. Being a cocoa farmer myself, I buy all my beans Direct Trade, paying a higher price premium than Fair Trade.
“To preserve these flavours, I make my chocolate with 100% natural ingredients. This takes up to three weeks compared to industrial chocolate that is made in a few hours. Great things are worth waiting for.
“Come and meet me at Rumwell Farm Shop this Friday and discover our award-winning range, including our artisan chocolate bars, some of which are handmade. You can also chat to me about our special editions and our couverture chocolates used by top chefs.
“Few things give me such pleasure as watching someone gasping with delight as the chocolate melts, and the realisation dawns that all the taste comes simply from the cacao, so I am really looking forward to meeting customers at Rumwell Farm Shop and sharing our samples, and all this with them.”
Rumwell Farm Shop is an independent, family-run, award-winning business owned by the Mitchell family. It was originally a potato store, when David and Anne Mitchell began selling their potatoes and free-range eggs at the gate more than 25 years ago.
Due to customer demand, the range of products soon increased, and the farm shop grew into the place it is today. David and Anne’s sons, James and Jack, are now also involved in the business, as well as their wives, Sophie and Donna.
Rumwell Farm Shop, which won nine Taste of the West Gold Awards in 2022 for its shop and café and also for some of its made onsite products, has a traditional Butchery counter selling its home-reared and free-range pork and Rumwell Angus beef. It’s traditional, dry cured back bacon was recently given the title of overall Champion Bacon in the Taste of the West Awards.
There is also a Delicatessen, Bakery, Jam Kitchen, Food Hall, Wine Cellar, Gluten Free Kitchen and Gift Room. Its Café kitchen has also achieved Coeliac UK’s Gluten Free accreditation.
The food prepared in the Café kitchen is sourced from the Farm Shop, the Mitchell family farm, which is just four miles away, and other regional suppliers.
Families are welcome to the Café and there is a menu especially for children. It also serves afternoon teas, Sunday carvery and is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
For more information, please call Rumwell Farm Shop, which is between Taunton and Wellington, on 01823 461599 or visit www.rumwellfarmshop.com.