01273 302170 www.staubynsschoolbrighton.co.uk - Viva Lewes

Photo by alex Leith
trade secrets CHOCOLATIER, SANDy LEWSEy
You recently set up Lewes Chocolate Company
on Station Street. Yes, with Ginny Skeet. I make the
chocolate, she takes care of the business side. And eats
the chocolate. We both do that.
What’s the story behind Lewes Chocolate Company?
Chocolate has been a lifelong passion for me.
My father worked for Rowntree all his working life
and used to bring new products home. We would try
them, then fill out a form saying what we thought. I
remember loving Yorkie bars. Later, I trained as a pastry
chef and I’ve worked in Spain, Holland and London.
Then I came to Lewes, and, when my children
were young, I met Ginny through playgroup where we
later worked together. We’ve been friends ever since.
Where do your supplies come from? Belgium and,
increasingly, Italy. Interesting things are coming from
Italy. Tiramisu and Pannacotta creams.
What is the chocolatier’s enemy? Damp and heat.
British weather, basically. And staff members who eat
the profits.
What are the more unusual chocolates you make?
Lots of them relate to our family members in some
way. Auntie May’s Sherry Trifle (which contains an
entire trifle in a truffle). White chocolate and lavender
honey fudge in dark chocolate. And Clifford’s Salty
Seadog caramels. They’re like the crack cocaine of
the chocolate world. There’s no having just one, then
walking away.
Any special plans for Mother’s Day? I’m going to
www.vivaLewes.CoM
be making a hydrangea cake. Triple chocolate inside,
covered in white chocolate flowers.
What is the best time of year for you? Christmas.
Do you like your work? We love it. Selling chocolate
is a happy job. The nice thing is that most people that
come in here are in a jolly mood. They’re either buying
something for themselves as a treat or looking for
a present for someone.
Do Lewesians have a particular taste in chocolate?
Lots of dark chocolate seems to sell well here.
What’s your favourite? Bombay Sapphire dark
chocolate truffles.
What alcoholic beverage will stand up to being
drunk with chocolate? Pink champagne with pink
champagne truffles.
What makes you stand out from other chocolate
shops? We’re the only shop in Lewes where we
make our own chocolates. We have a hot chocolate
machine. We make specialist chocolate cakes in the
shape people want. A tower of chocolate flowers, for
example. We also offer chocolate parties for children
or adults.
Should chocolate be shared? Well, we share. But
then we’ve been through thick and thin.
Is there anything you always get asked in the
shop? “Do you get sick of chocolate?” To which we
reply: “No! Never. It’s good for you.”
Share a ‘top tip’. Don’t store chocolate in the fridge.
It’s too damp. It needs a cool, dark place. EC
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