#biscuit mill

Given that I've been gushing about all things Biscuit Mill, I must also recommend that you visit the wonderful CocoAfair too, an organic bean-to-bar chocolate factory owned and run by business partners Thor Thorøe of Denmark and Antonino Allegra of Italy.

Thor tells how he came to South Africa wanting to start a social company producing raw materials for his ice cream business in Denmark. Once here he discovered that South Africa needed good chocolate! Made the decision to sell his business and in 2011 partnered with pastry chef and chocolatier Antonino Allegra to open CocoaFair. To quote them: "Together they are working to change the world, one piece of chocolate at a time!" As a chocolate lover, I much appreciate that.

I have visited CocoAfair on numerous occasion, firstly to take a tour with Antonino, where he showed me the process of chocolate making from roasting the beans to filling the slab moulds and moulding the truffles. Another time to attend a chocolate making course which got really messy. Loved it! Although it did leave me unable to eat chocolate for a couple of weeks after I indulged throughout like a naughty girl.

Since then I've returned simply to stock up on the delicious wares, with groups and to say hi when I'm in the area. They are always making something new and I appreciate how welcoming the team is.

Here is Antonino pouring the beans in for Crushing and winnowing.

Chocolate melted or Conching. This process develops the flavor of the chocolate, releases some of the bitterness and gives the chocolate its smooth quality.

The white chocolate, my favorite!

The shelves laden with yum!

Important info, the factory is at the Biscuit Mill and opening hours Monday - Friday (9-16) and Saturday (9-15). Don't forget to buy loads of these whilst there! And I strongly recommend the tour and chocolate making course.

Whilst at the Biscuit Mill, I visited Saucisse Boutique Deli and was shown around and given an introduction by Amanda Lewis, who opened here with her Dad in a bid to keep the fresh food theme alive throughout the week - and not only on Market Days.

Amanda and Derek specialize in sourcing meats and cheese from small producers from all over South Africa. Amanda, a real food lover and qualified chef, says she 'was inspired to open a deli called Saucisse, which is French for little sausage, after visiting the many charming hands-on owner-run boulangeries and charcuteries which play such a pivotal role in the every day life of each community in both France and Italy.'

Lucky for us, as this truly is one of the finest selections of personally sourced hand-picked food I've seen. I like too that they don't have a menu, but encourage tasting and creating your own from what is on offer. The shelves are heavy with preserves, olives, oils, rubs, chocolates and treats, whilst the fridges burst with choice. Add freshly bakes bread, and a coffee from the neighbor Espresso Lab, and you have a winning combination. 

Items are carefully packaged and look so wonderful I don't want to unwrap them.

Beautiful baked bread, irresistible.

COME ON PEOPLE!