How it all began...

A lifelong chocoholic, as a child Zara eagerly shared her passion with her chocolate-loving grandmother. Growing up, Zara's favourite treat was the chocolate cake - think light vanilla sponge topped with a thick layer of milk chocolate - made by her grandmother. Simple, but always comforting.

Chocolate proved an enduring passion in Zara’s life; evidenced when her school friends, with great foresight, voted her 'Most likely to become Willy Wonka' and 'Most likely to take over Cadbury World'. After school, Zara set out to learn more about fine chocolate and the process of making her own.

After completing the École Chocolat Professional Chocolatier Programme and equipped with a broad knowledge of the history of chocolate and the means by which to create her own, Zara began experimenting in her home kitchen. Fusing different flavours and finding unique pairings to combine with high quality chocolate cemented Zara’s passion for this path and she resolved to continue learning and improving. Her closest friends and family didn’t feel too hard done by in their role as official tasters either!

After selling her chocolates at markets around Bristol, Zara sought out a more permanent base for her business and, after teaming up with Ivory Flowers, opened a shop on North Street, Southville on 30th November 2013. 228 North Street – half chocolate shop, half florist – is a beautiful addition to the thriving independent community, here you could see Zara and fellow chocolatier, Helen, hand-crafting truffles and a whole range of tempting treats. The combination of Zara’s Chocolates and Ivory Flowers under one roof creates a wonderfully visual and fragrant sensation - what could be more indulgent or express more love than chocolates and flowers?

In 2014, Zara's Chocolates was nominated for a Bristol Good Food Award, this came as a complete surprise to Zara, as it was the lovely people of Bristol who had submitted the nomination. Zara was further taken aback to actually win the award in 2014, 2015, 2016, and again for 2018. Such wonderful plaudits brought with them the opportunity to work with the late Sir Terry Wogan in 2015. Terry filmed a portion of his BBC show, Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip, at the shop and helped Zara to construct a chocolate SS Great Britain ahead of Bristol’s Taste Chocolate Festival.

Keeping production on a small scale and making everything by hand, in-store in an open kitchen, are central values for Zara's Chocolates. Whether you pick up an enticing Black Pepper and Strawberry white chocolate bar or a selection of seasonal, fresh truffles, each and every item has been made with passion and skill.

All of the flourishes and decoration are created by hand and Zara’s Chocolates has become renowned for producing consistently excellent chocolate and innovative flavour combinations.