It was hard job but someone had to do it… York Stories 2012 asked Telling Arts to collect people’s stories related to chocolate.
With such a rich heritage of chocolate industry in York and a selection of independent chocolatiers continuing to put York very firmly on the chocolate map, it would seem remiss not to collect the memories of those who have made a living from the sticky stuff.
During National Chocolate Week, we were hosted (and fed!) by the lovely people at York Cocoa House and we met some fascinating people with a range of stories to tell.
Overriding themes from the interviews included a real sense of pride and community that came from working for Rowntree’s and Terry’s and a definite mischievous streak that accompanied the hard work. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly was a continued love of chocolate, despite being surrounded by it day-in-day-out.
To read and listen to these stories click here
As a part of this project we also asked each participant for one word to describe chocolate, which we then assimilated into the following poem;
Chocolate, in a word
Choc, Chocco, Chocolatey
Sweet, fantastic, unhealthy
Nice, delicious, luxury
Creamy heaven, if sickly
Moreish, and yummy
Moreish, and yummy
Delicious, scrumptious, gorgeous
Yes gorgeous, and scrummy
Dis-gus-ting
Addictive, indifferent
Frus-tra-ting
Dark, diverse
Fascinating
Comfort, anytime pleasure,
Tasteful, and fab.
Treat treat treat treat
Great.
Telling Arts Community Interest Company 