The Chocolate Society — Small-Batch Artisan Chocolate From Somerset

The Chocolate Society has been a fixture in British fine chocolate since 1991, when three chocolate enthusiasts launched it with a mission to raise the bar for chocolate quality in the UK. Now based in rural Somerset and led by head chocolatier Alasdair Garnsworthy, the brand handcrafts small-batch chocolate bars, truffles, pralines, and confections using exclusively Valrhona chocolate — the French house widely regarded as one of the world's finest. All Natty stocks The Chocolate Society because great wine and great chocolate are natural companions, and this is some of the best chocolate being made in the UK.

Why The Chocolate Society Is Different

There is cheap chocolate and there is good chocolate, and the gap between them is enormous. The Chocolate Society sits firmly at the top end, but not in a stuffy way. Their commitment to Valrhona as their sole chocolate source means every product starts with exceptional raw material — rich, complex, and far removed from the sweeter, less refined Belgian chocolate that dominates much of the UK market. From there, everything is handmade in their Somerset kitchen in small batches, with a focus on freshness, flavour, and imaginative combinations.

Alasdair Garnsworthy took over the business in 2010 and effectively rebuilt it from scratch, developing his skills with expert training and support from Valrhona themselves. His approach combines classical technique with creative flair — the results are chocolates with nuanced flavours and textures that feel considered rather than formulaic. For every kilogram of chocolate sold, The Chocolate Society donates to social causes in Colombia's cocoa-growing regions, adding a genuine ethical dimension to the quality.

The Range

The chocolate bar range is where most people start, and it showcases the brand's personality perfectly. The Cinnamon Toast combines caramelised white chocolate with cinnamon and crunchy sourdough pieces. The Peppermint Swirl layers mint into dark chocolate with a marble of white. The Flat White Coffee infuses rich coffee into dark chocolate with a swirl of white for a latte-like bite. And the Ginger Biscuit folds spiced ginger and crunchy biscuit into velvety blonde chocolate. Each bar proves that luxury chocolate can be both refined and playful.

Beyond bars, The Chocolate Society produces chocolate-covered fruits, nuts, and honeycomb, as well as their award-winning fresh chocolates — ganache truffles, bon bons, caramels, and pralines crafted with seasonal flavours and artistic decoration. They also invented the Hot Chocolate Shaker, solving the age-old problem of lumps at the bottom of your mug.

Who The Chocolate Society Is For

Anyone who has ever eaten a square of truly good chocolate and thought "this is completely different" will understand what The Chocolate Society is about. Their bars make perfect gifts — beautiful packaging, inventive flavours, and a name that carries weight without being pretentious. They are also exceptional for pairing with wine. Dark chocolate with a bold red wine, caramelised white chocolate with a glass of something sparkling, salted caramel hazelnuts with a dessert wine — the combinations are endless and rewarding.

For a complete All Natty tasting experience, build a board with Chocolate Society bars alongside Olives Et Al nibbles and Serious Pig charcuterie. Sweet, savoury, and salty — with a bottle of something good to tie it all together. Browse our chocolate collection for the full range.

Chocolate Delivery in Bristol & the UK

In Bristol? We deliver next-day across BS1–BS16 for £3.50, or free when you spend over £40. We also ship UK-wide for £9, free on orders over £80. Full details on our shipping page.

What is The Chocolate Society?

The Chocolate Society is a Somerset-based artisan chocolate company established in 1991. Led by head chocolatier Alasdair Garnsworthy, they handcraft small-batch chocolates using exclusively Valrhona French chocolate. The range includes chocolate bars, truffles, pralines, chocolate-covered nuts and fruits, and their award-winning Hot Chocolate Shaker. Products are not found in supermarkets — they are stocked exclusively through independent retailers.

Where can I buy The Chocolate Society in Bristol?

All Natty stocks The Chocolate Society chocolate bars and confections in Bristol. Order online at allnatty.co.uk for next-day delivery across Bristol, or visit our bottle shop in BS3.

What chocolate goes best with wine?

Dark chocolate pairs beautifully with full-bodied red wines — the tannins in both complement each other. Caramelised or blonde chocolate works well with sparkling wines and lighter dessert wines. The Chocolate Society's inventive flavour combinations — like Cinnamon Toast or Flat White Coffee — open up even more pairing possibilities with natural wines, where the fruit and acidity in the wine can play off the chocolate's complexity.

Is The Chocolate Society chocolate ethically sourced?

The Chocolate Society uses exclusively Valrhona chocolate, which has its own sourcing standards and direct relationships with cocoa growers. Additionally, The Chocolate Society donates a portion of every kilogram sold to social causes in Colombia's cocoa-growing regions.