Written by Ian Bragger

JCI members and the Barnsley community gathered at the Holiday Inn at Dodworth for a sell out chocolate tasting event with Melanie and Jim of Melanie's Cakes, Cudworth. The evening started with a hand out of different kinds of chocolate much to the delight of the crowd! Melanie and Jim then began the demonstration with tips first on preparation, before continuing with a step by step guide on how to make a selection of luxury hand made soft centres, truffles and chocolate boxes. Much to the relief of the crowd a cold enough fridge was found so that all the chocolate could set to once again be handed out for all to try! Throughout any questions were well answered to help those with baking skills to attempt to make their own.

A raffle then followed with a selection of wines for the runners up. Thanks to Melanie the winner was treated to one of the evenings products, a chocolate box filled with truffles and much more. The £84 proceeds from the raffle went to the Barnsley Independent Alzheimer's & Dementia Support and people in attendance also donated biscuit tins for their Christmas campaign. The evening finished with the opportunity for people to buy chocolate items from Melanie, including the kilogram chocolate Christmas Pudding which went down a treat!

A huge thank you to local business graduate Charlotte Pearson for taking the photographs on the night.

Raffle winner reaching 1st prize from Deputy President Kirstie Barnett, a Chocolate box and luxury chocolates hand made during the night. Donated by Melanie & Jim of Melanie's Cakes in Cudworth.

JCI Barnsley members, Gemma Fletcher, Debbie Tills, Kirstie Barnett and Vicky Savage presenting Pam from BIADS with the kind donations from the local community for the Christmas Care Appeal.