The Alresford Chocolate Company is a small chocolaterie in the heart of Hampshire, dedicated to producing the finest handcrafted chocolates.

“Our mission is to craft great tasting, unique and stylish chocolates with the finest natural ingredients,” said company founder Debbie Carter.

They use fresh Hampshire cream, natural flavours and the finest Belgian couverture to produce fresh delicious chocolates.

The truffles are hand rolled and each chocolate has a distinct decoration and character of its own.

“We are a small, utterly dedicated team who have to love the chocolates we make,” said Debbie, whose former career was as an NHS nurse for 20 years.

The company was set up in 2004 and the all-woman team comprises Debbie, Fran Griffiths the chocolate maker; packaging specialist Hilary Anthony and Tonia Edwards in charge of delivery.

Jackie Page runs the events side of the business and the accounts are managed by Sarah Thorne.

Lines include selection boxes and hand-decorated slabs and lollies, choc-dipped candied orange slices, Belgian buttons, fresh cream truffles, hot chocolate twiddlers and marbled chocolate bars.

Seasonal offerings include Valentine’s Day lollies and Christmas hampers, snowmen, and Christmas pudding chocolates.

An innovative flavour, Chilli Zing, is also proving popular said Debbie.

Regular meetings and tastings are held to develop new lines and flavours.

Debbie and the team were delighted when they secured a deal to provide a range of lollies to London’s most famous food store, Fortnum and Mason last year.

Having traded for less than three years at the time, it really was “young meets old” as the Hampshire  company traded with the grand old store which celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2007.

“This year we are supplying them with 6,000 handmade lollies,” said Debbie.

Alresford chocolates are stocked by independent food stores throughout Hampshire and Surrey and can be bought through mail order by people living further afield.

Star readers can buy the chocolates at Farnham Pottery (see next week’s profile).

The company’s ethos is to be environmentally responsible in every aspect of its business. Box packaging is made from wood pulp from sustainable resources and is completely recyclable.

They also recycle as much as possible in house.

“We are passionate not only about our chocolates but also about reducing our carbon footprint,” said Debbie.

The firm has been recognised for the work it is doing in this area by being shortlisted for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Award 2007 (Small business section).

“We were also finalists in the Winchester Business excellence Awards 2008, for Best Rural Business and Best Green Business,” said Debbie.

Green policies are in place regarding every aspect of the firm’s operations, from waste disposal to paper and printer use, energy efficiency and recycling.

Chocolate lovers are being offered the chance to make their own delicious goodies; the company runs a three-hour session making the chocs and packaging them.

There are spaces available on October 11, November 15, December 13 and January 10.

Satisfied customers have commented: “A brilliant day, end of story...”; “Fantastic morning – I was expecting it to be wonderful but it was even better!”

The company endeavours to play its part in supporting the local community.

“We will consider all requests to engage in events which benefit the community,” said Debbie. At least one youngster from the local high school is offered work experience each year.

Call 01962 732731, visit www.chocolatecraft.co.uk or email info@chocolatecraft.co.uk

Chocolate Craft, The Alresford Chocolate Company, Unit 1, Upton Park Farm, Old Alresford, Hants, SO24 9EB.