Amelia’s Magazine | An Interview with Paul Tomlinson of Cocoa Hernando Chocolates

cocoahernando-chocolate case
I first tasted Cocoa Hernando chocolates when I visited the Startup Showcase at Somerset House a few months back: so when founder Paul Tomlinson offered to send me some samples of his latest ‘collection’ I of course jumped at the chance to sample some of this fabulous artisanal chocolate. The deliciously smooth flavours of Cocoa Hernando are also delightfully unusual – try Masala Chai or Chipotle Chilli – and beautifully packaged to boot. I caught up with Paul to find out a bit more about the launch of his new range.

Cocoa Hernando India
What is the ethos behind Cocoa Hernando chocolates, and what is different about your brand?
Cocoa Hernando discover the finest chocolate and most exciting flavours from around the world. It is these unusual flavours complemented by the beautiful travel inspired packaging which makes us different.

A bit like a fashion label you have curated collections of flavours: what prompted this approach to chocolate making?
Indeed. I think it’s a lovely and refined way to present the chocolate bars. I’m an avid collector of records and books which also inspired this approach. Penguin paperbacks and Factory Records especially spring to mind…..

Cocoa Hernando Himalaya
You have some very distinct flavours in your range – how do you establish what works well together?
I’ve always been obsessed with food, so it’s an absolute pleasure to experiment with different flavours. Like any creative process, you keep researching and experimenting until you come up with something that blows your mind!

It was your wonderful packaging and display that caught my eye at the start up showcase: how did you come up with these designs and who created them?
Thank you. I’m also obsessed with design, especially the styles which typified the golden age of travel. We did all the graphic design of the packaging ourselves and then commissioned an illustrator to add the magic.

Cocoa Hernando Mexico
What was the process of producing the labels?
Since discovery is a key theme of the brand, we first looked for wonderful and unusual locations from the countries of the chocolate bars. We then created extremely detailed briefs and handed them to our talented illustrator, Rui Ricardo.

I was unfortunately unable to join you for the launch of the Herbs and Spice collection: what did I miss?
You missed lots of delicious chocolate and a wonderful party in the classy surroundings of Monmouth Street. It was great to finally celebrate our achievements so far!

Cocoa Hernando Morocco
Where can fans buy bars of Cocoa Hernando chocolate?
We sell online and hope to be in certain department stores before the end of Summer. Smaller shops are starting to pick up on us now too. We also like to pop-up with our suitcases around London whenever we can, so keep an eye out.

Do you have any new launch plans you can share with us?
We’re currently working on the next collection, which I’m very excited about and we’re also planning an exciting and extended pop-up event for the end of the year. Exciting times!

You can keep in touch with Cocoa Hernando and find out about upcoming events by following them on twitter and facebook. I can’t wait to try their next collection…

Categories ,Chipotle Chilli, ,chocolate, ,Cocoa Hernando, ,Factory Records, ,Herbs and Spice collection, ,Masala Chai, ,Monmouth Street, ,Paul Tomlinson, ,Penguin, ,Rui Ricardo, ,Somerset House, ,Startup Showcase

Similar Posts:






Amelia’s Magazine | An Interview with Paul Tomlinson of Cocoa Hernando Chocolates

cocoahernando-chocolate case
I first tasted Cocoa Hernando chocolates when I visited the Startup Showcase at Somerset House a few months back: so when founder Paul Tomlinson offered to send me some samples of his latest ‘collection’ I of course jumped at the chance to sample some of this fabulous artisanal chocolate. The deliciously smooth flavours of Cocoa Hernando are also delightfully unusual – try Masala Chai or Chipotle Chilli – and beautifully packaged to boot. I caught up with Paul to find out a bit more about the launch of his new range.

Cocoa Hernando India
What is the ethos behind Cocoa Hernando chocolates, and what is different about your brand?
Cocoa Hernando discover the finest chocolate and most exciting flavours from around the world. It is these unusual flavours complemented by the beautiful travel inspired packaging which makes us different.

A bit like a fashion label you have curated collections of flavours: what prompted this approach to chocolate making?
Indeed. I think it’s a lovely and refined way to present the chocolate bars. I’m an avid collector of records and books which also inspired this approach. Penguin paperbacks and Factory Records especially spring to mind…..

Cocoa Hernando Himalaya
You have some very distinct flavours in your range – how do you establish what works well together?
I’ve always been obsessed with food, so it’s an absolute pleasure to experiment with different flavours. Like any creative process, you keep researching and experimenting until you come up with something that blows your mind!

It was your wonderful packaging and display that caught my eye at the start up showcase: how did you come up with these designs and who created them?
Thank you. I’m also obsessed with design, especially the styles which typified the golden age of travel. We did all the graphic design of the packaging ourselves and then commissioned an illustrator to add the magic.

Cocoa Hernando Mexico
What was the process of producing the labels?
Since discovery is a key theme of the brand, we first looked for wonderful and unusual locations from the countries of the chocolate bars. We then created extremely detailed briefs and handed them to our talented illustrator, Rui Ricardo.

I was unfortunately unable to join you for the launch of the Herbs and Spice collection: what did I miss?
You missed lots of delicious chocolate and a wonderful party in the classy surroundings of Monmouth Street. It was great to finally celebrate our achievements so far!

Cocoa Hernando Morocco
Where can fans buy bars of Cocoa Hernando chocolate?
We sell online and hope to be in certain department stores before the end of Summer. Smaller shops are starting to pick up on us now too. We also like to pop-up with our suitcases around London whenever we can, so keep an eye out.

Do you have any new launch plans you can share with us?
We’re currently working on the next collection, which I’m very excited about and we’re also planning an exciting and extended pop-up event for the end of the year. Exciting times!

You can keep in touch with Cocoa Hernando and find out about upcoming events by following them on twitter and facebook. I can’t wait to try their next collection…

Categories ,Chipotle Chilli, ,chocolate, ,Cocoa Hernando, ,Factory Records, ,Herbs and Spice collection, ,Masala Chai, ,Monmouth Street, ,Paul Tomlinson, ,Penguin, ,Rui Ricardo, ,Somerset House, ,Startup Showcase

Similar Posts:






Amelia’s Magazine | A review of the 2013 Startup Showcase from the School for Creative Startups

David Bowie cushion - Circus Matt Manson
This weekend the School for Creative Startups returned to Somerset House to celebrate the work of their graduates with a full programme of talks and workshops focused on ways to start up and successfully run a creative business. I was really impressed with the variety of companies on display in the ‘pop up marketplace’ – most of whom have just finished the year long business training course led by School for Creative Startups founder Doug Richard, a former Dragon’s Den contributor and serial entrepreneur. Here’s my pick of the talent on show:

Circus Matt Manson scarf David Bowie
Circus Brixton have a stall entirely constructed out of cardboard in the newly invigorated Brixton Market: their timely David Bowie collaboration with illustrator Matt Manson comes on cushions and scarves.

Biplane Press Letterpress and growth ruler
I spoke at length to Pia from Biplane Press, who has been building up her bespoke Letterpress business as her two kids get older. Her beautiful wall display showed off the variety and quality of her stationery commissions, and her handmade growth chart ruler is unsurprisingly one of her best sellers.

Cocoa Hernando chocolate
Cocoa Hernando is the creation of Paul Tomlinson, who dreamt up the idea for a chocolate brand featuring the most exciting flavours from around the world during a trip around India. This travel theme inspired his superb presentation – gorgeously illustrated packets of chocolate strapped into old suitcases. The chocolate itself was absolutely delicious, particularly the awesome Masala Chai flavour.

emilythepemily Emily Boyd illustrator
Emilythepemily is Emily Boyd, an illustrator from Bristol. I like her characterful surface designs.

Minus Sun embroidered resin jewellery
Minus Sun creates pretty resin jewels that contain tiny fragments of embroidery.

Survival Arts Bumblebee art competition
Survival Arts is a brilliant concept to raise awareness of lesser known species facing extinction, by instigating art workshops and competitions that will lead to the creation of products that will help to raise money for that animal (or insect, or amphibian). This is an idea I’ve long been interested in so it’s great to see it being into practice by founders Dr Suzy Paisley-Day (a conservation biologist) and Kate Coleman. Their first textile design has been created in the style of The Butterfly Ball, and features a British bee that has already gone extinct. They are currently running a competition to celebrate the homecoming of the short-haired bumblebee – find out more info here.

Lili and Ida moon fairies necklace
Lili & Ida combines dainty laser cut jewellery with jersey fashion pieces that feature detachable straps inspired by vintage hinges. Aren’t these fairies on a moon cute?

Margot Bowman creature head
Designer Margot Bowman is involved with a multitude of projects. I liked her colourful painted creature.

Inky Shades anteater lampshade
Fancy something a little bit unusual for your interior? How about these delightful illustrated lampshades by Inky Shades. I have a particular penchant for this peachy anteater in a bowler hat.

Kate Mawby knitwear stand
Kate Mawby knitted cushions
Interiors knit designer Kate Mawby really impressed with a sharply styled stand piled up with knitted cushions and throws. She had also made good use of technology and incentive to do some market research: answer an online questionnaire and stand the chance to win a cushion.

Frilly by Lily daisy citrine ring
Jewellery brand Frilly by Lily has branched out from upcycled vintage pieces to create these pretty new daisy citrine rings. Lily is keeping an emphasis on ethical sourcing and manufacturing, so these latest collections will contain on average 50% recycled materials. Good to know!

Hunk Home startup showcase flowers
Beautiful flowers to brighten a miserable March weekend, put together in a fetching display by Hunk Home.

It was really refreshing to find so many different types of creative business on offer in one place and I hope to see plenty more from the brands who were on show in the coming years. Find out more about the School for Creative Startups on their website.

Categories ,Biplane Press, ,Brixton Market, ,Circus Brixton, ,Cocoa Hernando, ,David Bowie, ,Doug Richard, ,Dr Suzy Paisley-Day, ,Dragon’s Den, ,Emily Boyd, ,Emilythepemily, ,Frilly by Lily, ,Hunk Home, ,Inky Shades, ,Kate Coleman, ,Kate Mawby, ,letterpress, ,Lili & Ida, ,Margot Bowman, ,Masala Chai, ,Matt Manson, ,Minus Sun, ,Paul Tomlinson, ,School for Creative Startups, ,Somerset House, ,Survival Arts, ,The Butterfly Ball

Similar Posts: