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Barry Callebaut opens UK Chocolate Academy

Barry Callebaut has inaugurated its new Chocolate Academy in Banbury, UK, which it says is part of the company’s continuous expansion and ambitious growth strategy in one of Europe’s biggest chocolate confectionery markets in volume terms.

The revamped Chocolate Academy Center in Banbury will provide customers, global and local food manufacturers, as well as artisans and professional chocolatiers, with improved facilities and support for training.

In addition, the Chocolate Academy is a hub for exploring and innovating on the latest trends, techniques and recipes in chocolate. This, the company says, will also help to meet the growing demand for innovative and high-quality chocolate products in the UK. The Center in Banbury is part of a global network of 23 Chocolate Academy Centers where artisans and professionals who want to improve their skills in chocolate and learn about new trends, techniques, and recipes are trained. In fiscal year 2018/19, over 60,000 chocolate aficionados participated in these training sessions.

“Today’s chocolate consumer is on a constant hunt for new and innovative tastes and recipes. With the brand new Chocolate Academy Center Banbury and a fantastic team, we renew our promise to our customers to share our expertise and work even closely together to bring these premium and exciting innovations to the market,” said Vincenzo Mangano, Sales Director Gourmet UK & Ireland.

“The UK is a huge growth market, bursting with opportunity. The inauguration of this new Chocolate Academy Center in Banbury marks yet another milestone in our successful growth story in the UK and over the next years, we will continue to invest in our business and strengthen our collaboration with food manufacturing and artisanal customers in the UK,” said Richard Terme, General Manager UK.