MELANIE NEIL Helensburgh's chocolate artisan
THE ARTISAN
Melanie Neil established CocoaMo chocolates© in Helensburgh, Scotland, in 2014.
Melanie spent a year, post chocolate Masterchef training (under 2011 UK World Chocolate Master Ruth Hinks), creating and refining her first collection, which was launched in Winter 2014.
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, others include locally foraged items such as wild pear, in the pear & Hennessy bon bon.
THE CACAO
Time, care and passion go into sourcing the beans that are used for CocoaMo's micro batch, stone ground chocolate. This means regularly conversing with exporters of the cacao, sourcing information about the plantation and provenance of the beans, and ensuring the welfare of the farmers, and all involved in the process is of the highest standards.
For high volume boutique hotel & Michelin restaurant commissions, & for CocoaMo's collections, Melanie uses Amedei of Tuscany (read their story here).
THE COLLECTIONS
CocoaMo's collections are limited edition, and appear twice a year: Spring or Sumer and Winter.
This ensures that Melanie is always pushing forward with new techniques and creative ideas, to provide the customer with a unique experience.
Out with the limited edition collections, there are a small number of items in the online boutique labelled "CocoaMo classic". These are items from past limited edition collections, and due to popular demand, are now available all year round as they have become firm customer favourites.
THE PRESS
Melanie & CocoaMo chocolates© have been featured in written articles in The Telegraph, Scottish National newspapers, Scottish Field Magazine and Coast magazine.
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 so did not have the opportunity to see the launch of this company that bears her name... I would hope she would be proud".
Melanie Neil
Founder & CEO
CocoaMo chocolates©2014
