Smashing time at opening of new £2m chocolate attraction

Crowds gathered outside Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story, in King’s Square, to witness former confectionery worker Barbara Gibson take a molinillo – or chocolate whisk – to the three-foot high hand-made egg on Saturday.

Mrs Gibson represents the many people whose sweet memories are shared in the attraction, which will provide an interactive experience for visitors to sample chocolate products while learning more about the confectionery trade.

Juliana Delaney, chief executive of Continuum, the York-based firm behind the project, said: “Our chocolatier Andrew used 22lb of chocolate to create a piñata style Easter egg for the opening ceremony. The team has made thousands of chocolates over the past couple of weeks, but for our official opening we wanted to make something extra special that everyone watching could enjoy a piece of.

“The piñata tradition is thought to have originated with the Aztecs and Mayans which is also where our chocolate story starts. The Aztec tradition was very much about ensuring prosperity for the year ahead, so, in many ways it was the perfect way to launch Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story and to celebrate an industry that has contributed so much to the city and the UK’s cultural love of chocolate and confectionery.”