Willie Harcourt Cooze

Willie Harcourt-Cooze has redefined how millions of people worldwide think about chocolate. That real chocolate can have such depth and variety of flavour, is something most people have never dreamt of. He achieves this because he is the only chocolate maker in the UK making chocolate from ‘bean to bar’. Willie sources the great single estate cacaos from around the world, then makes them into chocolate in small batches using traditional machines in his factory in Devon. This preserves the delicate flavour notes of the beans.

Willie’s dream of making the world’s best chocolate was born on his Hacienda El Tesoro in Venezuela, where he has farmed cacao for over a decade. His often dramatic journey was followed in two Channel 4 documentaries.

Willie will be cooking with chocolate on the main stage at 12noon on Saturday 7th September. He will also be hosting a talk and tasting 'From Bean to Bar' at the Malthouse at 2pm.