Choc's the way, advocates the man from the ministry
There can be few people who don't like chocolate, but one Huddersfield man loves it so much he has created his very own Ministry of Chocolate.
And Carl Turner has made himself the first Minister of Chocolate.
It was while working for a number of major chocolate companies that father-of-three Carl got the idea.
"There were lots of people doing cookery demonstrations using chocolate, but no-one seemed to be combining that with talking about the history and origins of chocolate in a fun and informative way."
Carl, 46, formed the Ministry of Chocolate four months ago to blend his enthusiasm for chocolate with his strong appetite for presenting and developing people's knowledge of the wonderfully indulgent product that remains so dear to our hearts. Keeping in the spirit of things Carl also has a chocolate brown Labrador called Alfie.
"I am not trying to make people eat more chocolate, I am just trying to educate them about it in a fun way," he says.
Behind the light-hearted approach is a serious message. Carl believes in and promotes Fairtrade and advocates no VAT on Fairtrade chocolate, and a fairer life for cocoa growers.
"If we can encourage people to eat more Fairtrade chocolate, then we will have also helped improve the working conditions of the many people who work on the cacao plantations around the world," says Carl.
The Ministry of Chocolate also donates a proportion of pre-tax profits to a charity: Hands of Hope, which was established to help and provide care, education and medicine for children in Haiti. More information can be found on www.handsof hope.org.uk
Carl is a professional chocolatier and accomplished presenter. With a healthy mix of enthusiasm, knowledge, passion and commitment, he presents the Ministry's events – from talks about the history and origins of chocolate, to how it's made, how to professionally taste chocolate, the principles and practices of Fairtrade chocolate and easy-to-understand cookery demonstrations.
The Ministry of Chocolate runs interactive chocolate adventures for businesses, schools, clubs and societies, churches, fund-raising events, special occasions and public relations activities.
It also runs educational presentations for schools and societies and encourages sharing information and knowledge about Fairtrade chocolate for the benefit of everyone involved.
www.ministryofchocolate.com
Feel-good factors
Eating chocolate increases the levels of endorphins released into the brain. The endorphins work to lessen pain and decrease stress.
Chocolate can affect the brain by causing the release of certain neurotransmitters. The amounts of particular neurotransmitters we have at any given time can have a great impact on our mood.
Serotonin is known as an anti-depressant. One of the chemicals which cause the release of serotonin is tryptophan, which is found in chocolate.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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