Top 5 Things of the Week (July 1st – 7th)

#1 Quoted on Bottles of Happy Greens Smoothies

There are no words to describe how honoured and humbled I feel to have been quoted on the packaging of one of the tastiest and most wholesome smoothie brands in the UK. Amazing!

#2 Meet & Greet With The Cast Of We’re Going On Bear Hunt
I was fortunately asked to review the stage production of Michael Rosen’s bestselling picture book, which has just started its run at the Lyric Theatre (see previous posts). What I wasn’t expecting was the surprise at the end – a lovely lunch including gorgeous cupcakes followed by a meet and greet with the cast. I even got to shake hands with the puppet “Baby”. Awesome!

#3 The Burger Wars Officially Kicked Off in London
Shake Shack and Five Guys opened their doors in Covent Garden within 24 hours of one another and the build up to the burger wars has been epic. I’ll be posting a review of the burgers at both chains but, in the meantime, can you guess the winner? I doubt it.

#4 Gerard Butler in a Wetsuit
The gorgeous actor’s new flick, Chasing Mavericks, was released over the weekend and I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening (see my previous posts for the review). I’m a huge sucker for sporting dramas as they always leave me feeling energised and inspired, like I’m ready to take on the world. The film wasn’t the greatest but it did motivate me to do great things during my remaining week.

#5 Andy Murray’s Win At Wimbledon
I’m not a massive tennis fan and I wasn’t at Wimbledon but this was a huge moment in the UK’s sporting history and Murray has more than earned a mention in my rundown of the Top 5 Things of the Week. It felt wrong to publish this post without saying: “Congratulations, Andy Murray!”

THEATRE REVIEW: We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

A stage adaptation of Michael Rosen’s bestselling picture book We’re Going On A Bear Hunt has arrived at the Lyric Theatre in London, but what will kids make of their favourite story as a live dramatization? The Upcoming magazine sent me on an expedition to find out and you can follow my trail here.

INTRODUCING: The Chocolate Museum in Brixton

In a quiet lane off Brixton’s High Street lies a deliciously decadent treasure: The Chocolate Museum. An inconspicuous, grey exterior hides a quaint selection of memorabilia, curated by founder Isabelle Alaya.

The award-winning chocolatier is also the creator of Melange Chocolates and has an infectious passion for one of the UK’s most devoured treats! Alaya insisted on opening the museum in a borough with Ghanaian and West Indian diaspora – reflecting the cocoa growing communities across the globe.

Split over two small floors, the basement museum sits beneath a street-level café, which offers a range of mouth-watering chocolates for purchase (including an earthy Bergamot and Cinnamon variety which, incidentally, bakes very well in a chocolate brownie).

The exhibit itself is a compact affair, dedicated to the history of chocolate in Britain (from Fry’s to Cadbury), and requires no more than 20 minutes to view – great for fidgety kids!

Subsequently, the venue is a popular destination for school trips, attracting large groups during term-time. As well as enjoying the museum, pupils are also taught to make chocolate truffles – a fun-filled, messy, highlight of their day!

The museum runs a popular schedule of regular events, from Italian-inspired The Aperitif (a monthly cocktail and buffet night) to a range of workshops suitable for all ages. From hen groups to children’s birthday parties, Isabelle and her team create bespoke packages to suit all budgets.

Don’t end your visit without ordering Isabelle’s incredible hot chocolate – chunks of rich, dark chocolate, melted slowly into warming milk. Served in a white cup, it looks like molten brown lava and smells unbearably good! The flavour is as gratifying as one would expect: indulgent and nutty.

The Chocolate Museum & Café, 187 Ferndale Road, Brixton, London, SW9 8BA.

Please visit the museum’s website for opening hours. Entry is free although donations are welcome.