Choc and awe

A self-confessed chocoholic, my mum has pulled out all the stops when it comes to getting her hands on the stuff - and even more attempting to go cold turkey!

As a child my Easter eggs would mysteriously disappear before I'd had a chance to finish the puzzles on the back, secret-stash wrappers were often unearthed in dressing gown pockets and bars were even thrown into kitchen cupboards too high to reach, in a desperate bid to kick the habit.

But this week my eyes have been opened and it seems my mother definitely isn't alone.

The ChocoLatte exhibition at BurJuman this week has been met with mixed reaction. While chocoholics (or those who can take it or leave it) rushed to see what all the fuss was about, others (the dieters or those strong enough to admit their weaknesses) hesitated by the door and contemplated whether they were doing the right thing.

Well take it from me, take the plunge and step over the threshold because this exhibition is definitely one that shouldn't be missed.

Note: you may want to get there ASAP before the stalls, goods, tables and chairs, displays and entertainment get eaten by those with little will power.

Celebrating the romance

ChocoLatte was conceived in a bid to celebrate the sheer romance of chocolate and coffee.

The 11-day event features exciting activities including live chocolate sculpting of the Burj Al Arab by world-renowned artist Prudence Emma Staite, who was flown out especially for the event.

Yet to see the sunshine, Prudence, who arrived in Dubai last Thursday, has been working non-stop in the main foyer of the new BurJuman extension to create the impressive piece.

But the task has not been an easy one so far, as the 26-year-old explains.

"I have created full-scale rooms, a life-size family enjoying a Sunday roast and a giant bed - all out of chocolate. But this design has had challenges of its own for me. In my studio at home in the Cotswolds, England, I have giant ovens, coolers and vats but for obvious reasons I could not transport them here with me.

"So the first part of this build has been to actually make a giant lump of solid chocolate from scratch." The common misconception is that chocolate sculptors start their work with a ready-made lump of chocolate in front of them. But Prudence explained the long process of moulding and shaping the initial block.

Me, a microwave and a fridge

"This week has just been about me, a microwave and a fridge! I have melted each bar of chocolate individually and moulded it to the structure to build it up to the correct height. Now it weighs about 160kg and we are ready to start sculpting."

The majority of the lump is milk chocolate and Prudence has coated it with white to give a more realistic representation of the Burj al Arab.

Over the years, the master chocolatier has crafted chocolate sculptures and created a wide range of exciting and edible artworks.

With a fine art degree from Winchester School of Art under her belt, she was awarded the Prince's Trust Business Award for fusing art, food and theatre together.

Prudence's work has been admired and nibbled by celebrities such as Tony and Cherie Blair, Alex Best, Linford Christie, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

She said: "I was commissioned to create a life-sized chocolate room from the walls, fire places, picture frames to the chandelier. It was an amazing opportunity and was visited by many famous faces.

"It was a great feeling getting some of the skinniest models in the world to eat a bit of chocolate."

Prudence works among her own chocolate gallery displaying of a host of chocolate sculptures including chess boards, coffee pots, vases, games, edible and wearable chocolate jewellery, horses, camels, falcons and Arabian coffee sets.

Seven wonders

Later in the week, Prudence will further amaze chocolate aficionados by sculpting miniature versions of the Seven Wonders of the World including the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House and the Taj Mahal; not missing the chocolate sculptures of famous personalities such as Prince Charles, Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, and Elvis Presley.

She added: "When I was a little girl I couldn't decide whether to be an artist or a chef and as I got older I realised there is a way to do both.

I started sculpting in all kinds of foods including cheese and fruit and then I made a decision to stick with the chocolate. It fuses art and food and allows people to actually be a part of my creations by tasting them. Art doesn't have to be something which sits on your wall for years to come - it can be something very here and now."

Don't miss it

This weekend kids have a choice of two free workshops and can choose to paint and work with chocolate or coffee themes.

ChocoLatte runs until Sunday April 29 and visitors are invited to indulge and pamper their senses during the event which offers something for everyone.

Spread across the mall, a host of chocolate and coffee related activities will run at various times throughout the day, from 10am.

What else to watch out for

While Prudence Staite worked, the chocolate-fusion started to take over. Chocolate statue artists walked the arena - literally looking good enough to eat, while shoppers enjoyed stalls and displays explaining how chocolate is made.

The Coffee Village offers a delightful mix of beans and blends from around the world and gives coffee lovers the chance to sample different brews.

Families can enjoy entertainment by chocolate living statues, choco magicians and choco jugglers as well as take the opportunity to discover what choco fashion is all about at special displays of clothes embellished with chocolates and beans.