AWesome Chocolates is run by Alistair Walklett, a pastry chef with over 45 years’ experience crafting his trade at some of the UK’s finest hotels, Claridges, The Savoy, Inn on the Park, Chewton Glen, Lygon Arms, and in more recent years within the North East, at Slaley Hall, Matfen Hall and Lumley Castle.

During this time in the North East, Alistair also worked with the local Craig family – Ian and Peter Craig of Beckleberry’s – renowned for their fabulous family run local ice cream brand. Alistair was pivotal in helping set up their own desserts production – Artisan Foods, distributing initially to local hotels, pubs, restaurants, and then eventually to clients much further afield.

Working alongside and gaining valuable knowledge from some of the best chefs in the business, including the legends Albert Roux and Martin Blunos. “ What a pleasure! Although I do confess the first time I met Chef Roux, I was shaking in my boots and felt like that 16 year old apprentice again! But many years later I always felt quite comfortable to call him and ask him for advice on a recipe or new creation. A lovely gentleman! “

” It was in my time spent with Martin Blunos, that he allowed me to produce one of his signature dessert dishes, the “Blunos Egg” created in the image of a boiled egg and soldiers, this sweet dessert was one of his trademarks. The dessert is created within the actual egg shell – so the art was to remove the egg from the egg shell in one piece! Many an egg was shattered whilst perfecting it!

Always having a passion for patisserie work, I have created many seasonal themed creations- gingerbread houses being one of my favourites. My largest and most time consuming creation was for a Christmas display at Slaley Hall.

I produced 2,750 Mexican paste roof tiles, over 1,500 gingerbread paving slabs, 6 royale icing Christmas trees, and added numerous strings of miniature lights, and chandeliers to complete the effect. Yes it’s true to say , I’m a stickler for the detail!

Chocolate work has always been a passion, so I have at long last stepped out and concentrated on setting up my own artisan chocolate business. Sourcing only the very best Belgium chocolate, passionately tempering, and adding the finest of ingredients to make some incredible flavours. We think it’s AWesome, hopefully you will too but it will also help you remember my name Alistair Walklett.

Production takes place in an Artisan unit at The Bomb Shelter, Sunray Buildings, Brinkburn Street, Newcastle NE6 2AR, so centrally located to deliver to suppliers in all areas of the  North East and beyond. 

 We are very visible at markets across the region,  monthly with Local Heroes North East at, Armstrong Bridge, Jesmond and South Shields market place. Monthly at Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland, also with Northern Dales Farmers monthly at Wynyard Walled Gardens and again monthly a little further afield at Saltburn by the Sea . Also find us quarterly at All Saints farmers market Gosforth, Blanchland Northumberland Artisan seasonal market, and Bradley Gardens Wylam as well as many other artisan food, drink and craft markets – our EVENTS page has all the details month by month- so lots of opportunities to see and chat to us, or simply place your order here on or SHOP.