Professional Services

Professional Services

NEW for 2023 – we are thrilled to now be located at the new Yorkshire Academy Of Chocolate & Patisserie where we have a wealth of equipment and facilities as well as a fantastic teaching environment, our new school offers the opportunity to learn in a professional and well equipped environment with industry standard machinery, tools, moulds and equipment.

We will be offering one, two and three day courses on a wide range of subjects taught by some of the best chocolatiers and chefs in the business.

We specialise in one-to-one training in all aspects of chocolate work. Each client’s needs are individual and unique and we pride ourselves on providing the best possible solutions.

Our business start-up training course is run over 5 days. During our time together I will bring my 25 years experience of working with chocolate to offer you such topics as:

  • Tempering
  • Flavour Development
  • Recipe Construction
  • Shelf Life
  • Decoration Techniques
  • Health and Safety
  • Equipment Sourcing
  • Legislation

I offer this bespoke, one-to-one training in my own professional Chocolate Room at the Yorkshire Academy Of Chocolate & Patisserie. For the full 5 days, all equipment and materials will be supplied by myself and is included in the final price. You will have access to a range of chocolate tempering machines, an enrober, a cocoa butter spraying booth, panning drum, guitar cutter, Thermomix and a wide range of high-grade moulds.

Included in the training is also a taster session, where we will explore a range of couverture to broaden your knowledge, and palette, of quality Belgian chocolate and single origins. We will also cover other “inclusion” ingredients and flavours such as powders, oils, compounds and fruits.

We offer the following services to chocolate professionals:

  • Chocolate and confectionery consultancy service
  • Recipe development and shelf life testing
  • Advice on business start-up
  • Practical training for professional chefs and chocolatiers
  • Ingredient and equipment sourcing
  • Team building
  • Bean to bar set up
  • Further education student enrichment days
  • Bespoke training and consultancy for your chocolate business

Following an informal discussion to assess your needs we will then submit a detailed proposal to offer you the best possible solution for your needs. Your training can be on your own premises or at a selection of our partner venues throughout the UK. Alternatively, we can offer telephone or video conferencing/teaching sessions.

Our professional sessions are intensive with a mix of theory and hands on practical work to really develop your skills, you will benefit from over 25 years of industry knowledge and pick up a wealth of vital information along the way, all your course materials are provided in both printed and digital format and further help and support are only a phone call away.

Please feel free to contact us for an informal chat to discuss your exact needs.

Amanda Torkington

“After taking a trip to Bruges, in 2001, I was inspired to make a career change to working with chocolate. I had to find the right person to train me and fortunately, after making a number of phone calls and talking to lots of people, I was put in touch with the amazing Andrew Thwaite. As I was feeling quite nervous about the possibility of starting a new chapter in my career, the passion, enthusiasm and down to earth approach that came across from Andrew, instantly made me feel completely at ease and also very excited at the prospect of having one-to-one training. It also made me realise that I had made the right decision in a future career change. What an amazing, thoroughly enjoyable and educational introduction into the world of chocolate with an incredibly talented TOP chocolatier. Andrew is now someone I can always go to for help and advice to this day – not only a great mentor, but also a valued friend.”

Amanda Torkington

Cheshire Chocolates (founder)

Claire Burnet

“My husband Andy and I had the crazy idea to become chocolatiers, making truly fresh chocolates with local ingredients wherever possible, back in the early 2000s, all driven by my love of and exposure to the world of continental chocolate when my parents had lived in Belgium. However, back then there weren’t any training courses available in the UK. We were very lucky to be told about Andrew offering one-to-one training and we spent an intense time with him learning the key skills and techniques we needed to get us started. Andrew was extremely patient with us and also gave us insights into the fine chocolate industry, with evenings spent in the pub discussing the world of chocolate. He was also brilliant at supporting us in the early days of our business when we were going through a pretty vertical learning curve, being on the end of the phone whenever we needed advice. We wouldn’t be where we are now without Andrew’s initial training and encouragement which gave us the confidence to start our business.”

Claire Burnet

Victoria Jackson

"If you enjoy chocolate then Andrew Thwaite – Chocolatier is a must, and comes highly recommended. Andrew has visited The Old Garden twice in the past 6 months and has thoroughly entertained our residents with his 'History of Chocolate' presentation and Easter Egg decorating. We can't wait to welcome him again to help us make advent calendars later in the year."

Victoria Jackson

Charlotte Calver

"After 30 years catering in the Weddings and Events business I decided to retrain as a chocolatier, opening Brecon Chocolates in July 2018. This was a fairly ambitious undertaking for a complete novice, not helped by the fact it was the hottest summer on record for 30 years and anyone knowing how temperamental chocolate is, will totally understand the difficulties we faced. It was at this point my saviour came to the rescue with a One-To-One Training day, and with a bit of tweaking Andrew sent us on our way to a successful summer. Andrew revisited again in October, prior to us launching our Christmas range, which need shelf life extension and off we went towards a very busy Christmas 2018. Andrew couldn’t have been more helpful, informative and willingly to offer support on the day and over the phone. Having One-to-One help, for a novice chocolatier as I was, was the best investment in my career so far and I was thrilled to have him back for another days training, teaching me Cocoa butter work, which set me up for our first and successful Easter 2019. Andrew has the uncanny ability to make you feel at ease and offers lots of praise and encouragement. Combined with his great sense of humour and story telling he is a “Must Have” for all up and coming Chocolatiers!"

Charlotte Calver

Kate McKeown

"Andrew provided me with a week’s excellent one-to-one training to refine my chocolate skills, learn new techniques and prepare to set up a chocolate business. The bespoke training covered everything I needed to know (and more!) including tempering, moulding, spraying with cocoa butter, ingredients, equipment, storage of the finished products, health & safety, shelf life testing and labelling. As well as learning a lot it was fab to work with someone with such a great sense of humour – thanks Andrew!"

Kate McKeown

Temper & Snap

Rosemary Shrager

“I think Andrew Thwaite is, first of all, one of the nicest people you could meet. Secondly, his professionalism is second to none, he is a brilliant educator with superb communication skills. I am so proud to work with him and have him teach at my cookery school in Tonbridge Wells. He never fails to impress me with his skills and standard of work, he always teaches me something!”

Rosemary Shrager

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