MELANIE NEIL Helensburgh's chocolate artisan
THE ARTISAN
Melanie Neil established CocoaMo chocolates© in Helensburgh, Scotland, in 2014.
Post chocolate Masterchef training, under 2011 UK World Chocolate Master Ruth Hinks, Melanie spent time creating and refining her first collection, which was launched in the Winter of that year.
THE INGREDIENTS
Melanie is passionate about sourcing good quality, and where possible, local ingredients. Melanie aims to use predominantly organic ingredients that are sourced from reputable suppliers. Some ingredients found in CocoaMo's collections are grown in Melanie's organic kitchen Garden.
THE CACAO
Time, care and passion go into sourcing the beans that are used for CocoaMo's micro batch, stone ground chocolate. This means conversing with exporters of the cacao, sourcing information about the plantation and provence of the beans, and ensuring the welfare of the farmers, and all involved in the process.
For high volume boutique hotel & Michelin restaurant commissions, & for CocoaMo's seasonal collections, Melanie uses Amedei of Tuscany (read their wonderful story here).
THE COLLECTIONS
CocoaMo's collections are limited edition. This ensures that Melanie is always pushing forward with new techniques and creative ideas, to provide the customer with a unique experience.
The online store will be open every other week.
All items are pre-paid only, and will have estimated shipping dates.
There are a small number of items in the online store labelled "CocoaMo© classic". These are items from past limited edition collections. They have been so loved by customers, that they have been requested to be made a permanent feature...and so Melanie happily obliged.
THE PRESS
Melanie & CocoaMo chocolates© have been featured in both The Telegraph, and several Scottish National newspapers.
In 2019, CocoaMo© was featured in the book "Bean to bar Britain - a guide to Britains chocolate makers". Written by Andrew Baker, Weekend edition Editor of The Telegraph, and judge at the Academy of Chocolate awards.
THE NAME - a note from Melanie Neil
"CocoaMo© was named after my late Mother, Maureen or Mo. My Mother was the first person to introduce me to not only good quality chocolate, but also to the importance of quality ingredients in cooking.
Unfortunately, my Mother passed away in 2009, and did not have the chance to see this creative company that I established in her memory... I would hope she would be proud".
Melanie Neil
CocoaMo© Founder
