A CHOCOLATE shop has opened its doors to sweet-toothed customers who can try their hand at creating the product themselves.

The shop has opened at Poplar Nurseries garden centre in Marks Tey and owner of the Chappel Chocolate House, Sarah Knights, is ready to cater for chocoholics’ cravings.

Sarah says her inspiration is chocolate-loving celebrity Paul Young.

She said she aims to deliver the highest quality product to her customers including demonstrations, workshops and team-building exercises.

Her chocolate creations can take up to three days to sculpt.

On a good day, Sarah can create more than 1,000 truffles.

However, with only two people working in the shop at any given time, it can be challenging.

She said: “Having to temper the chocolate, run the shop and manage the business is hard.

“It’s a labour of love at the moment but one I am passionate about and am enjoying.”

Sarah’s interest in chocolate grew after she undertook a part-time course at Colchester Institute.

One module involved making chocolate and set her on the road to her business. She attended the UK Chocolate Masters

event in London following the course where big brands within the industry, such as Belgian chocolatiers Callebaut, were present.

Sarah said: “In 2012, I was asked to run a chocolate stall at a fete at a local pub.

“People enjoyed it and my neighbour asked me to do a children’s party.

“I loved it so much I decided to set up my own business.

“I hosted more events and began to make more of my own chocolate at home.”

Opening the product to a wider audience, Sarah can cater for

vegans and she aims, in the

future, to use alternatives to dairy products such as fruit juices.

Sarah’s shop can be found in the car park at garden centre, off the A120.