Pump Street Chocolate Weekender

Day One: Taste, Flavour & Chocolate Masterclass

Saturday 27 June | 10am – 6pm

Pump Street Chocolate Workshop | Units 5&6, Richmond Old Dairy, Gedgrave, Woodbridge IP12 2BU

The experience begins at the Pump Street workshop, where we’ll start the day with fresh coffee, hot chocolate and world-class pastries straight from the Pump Street bakery.

From there, we will embark on our full-day Taste, Flavour & Chocolate Masterclass; an immersive course developed by experts including Spencer Hyman (Cocoa Runners), Kate Cavallin (Cacao Latitudes), and Master of Wine Peter McCombie.

Expect a full day of expert-guided tastings, interactive exercises, and practical learning.

Morning Sessions

Understanding Taste and Flavour

• Learn the five basic tastes
• Understand the science of taste
• Put your knowledge to the test with aroma-matching exercises
• Explore retronasal olfaction and multi-sensory perception
• Learn to articulate flavour and taste mindfully

Lunch

A delicious lunch provided by the Pump Street team.

Afternoon Sessions

Crafting Flavour in Chocolate

• Discover how fermentation and drying shape chocolate’s character
• Explore how roasting, grinding, conching and sugar influence flavour
• Taste through the stages of chocolate production
• Take away a full understanding of what can give rise to flavour in chocolate, and develop your flavour detection skills.

Expect to taste widely, learn deeply, and leave with a new appreciation of chocolate’s flavour potential.

Day Two: Inside Pump Street Chocolate

Sunday 28 June | 11am – 4pm

Pump Street Bakery & Factory | 1 Pump St, Orford, Woodbridge IP12 2LZ

Day two offers rare, behind-the-scenes access to Pump Street: the award-winning bakery and bean-to-bar chocolate maker celebrated for precision, craft, and flavour excellence. You will enjoy:

• Guided tour of the Pump Street chocolate factory
• Hands-on Make-Your-Own inclusion bar experience
• Guided tasting of their signature drinking chocolates
• Special brunch served by the Pump Street team

The bakery will be opened early specially for us, giving you first pick of some of the finest pastries, breads and baked goods in the UK.

A weekend for the truly flavour-curious.

Across two days, you will taste, learn, explore and create, gaining a deeper understanding of how flavour works, how chocolate is made, and why Pump Street stands as one of the most respected craft chocolate makers in the world.

How to Get to Pump Street from London

Orford is a charming village in Suffolk, on the East Coast of England. It will take you around 2 hours to get to/from London on the train with one change and a short taxi-ride. Because of that, it’s important that you plan your journey out properly ahead of time. The good news: the team at Pump Street have written a handy guide on how best to get there. Alternatively, you can drive to Suffolk and you’ll find plenty of parking nearby.

Insider Tips:

• Plan Your Return: Orford is charming enough that you might lose track of time, so plan your return journey in advance to avoid missing your train! This includes booking your taxis in advance.
• Enjoy Orford: While you’re there, explore the nearby Orford Castle and the Suffolk Coast. Pump Street is just one of many attractions in this beautiful village.

Useful Train Times:

8 am Depart London Liverpool Street – Arrive at Woodbridge 9:30 and Orford 9:55 am.

9 am Depart London Liverpool Street – Arrive at Woodbridge 10:30 and Orford 10:55 am.

Leave Wickham Market at 4:05pm – Arrive at London Liverpool Street 5:47pm

Leave Wickham Market at 5:05pm – Arrive at London Liverpool Street 6:47pm

In just 2 hours from Liverpool Street Station, you’ll be swapping the city’s buzz for fresh coastal air, incredible food, and the relaxed rhythm of one of Suffolk’s most beloved villages.

The best places to stay in Orford

Since this craft chocolate experience goes over two days, you will need a place to rest your head for (at least) one night. Once again, the Pump Street team have compiled the favourite accomodation picks in Orford; from hotels to B&Bs, self catering to camping!

What to do and where to go in Orford

If you’re making your way to Orford for the weekend, why not stay an extra day or two and explore everything that this beautiful town has to offer. From the tidal lagoon (brrrr) to market square, to climbing the castle ramparts; here is a locals guide to Orford that is a must read before your trip!

See you there!

This is a weekend for the  truly flavour-curious.

Across two days, you will taste, learn, explore and create; gaining a deeper understanding of how flavour works, how chocolate is made, and why Pump Street stands as one of the most respected craft chocolate makers in the world.

Please note that this event is not eligible for coupon use. If you purchase tickets using a discount coupon, we will issue a refund and ask you to re-purchase the tickets at full price.

Spencer Hyman

Co-Founder | Cocoa Runners

Spencer is a leading voice in craft chocolate, with decades of experience since first discovering artisanal chocolate in the 90s. After a varied career including co-founding Last.fm, he launched Cocoa Runners in 2013 to champion makers worldwide. He hosts tastings and education events globally, judges major chocolate awards, contributes to media and conferences, and continues to explore the science, flavour and farming behind exceptional chocolate.

David Wright

Workshop Co-Ordinator | Pump Street

David Wright is the Workshop Co-Ordinator and a former Head Baker at Pump Street. He has over 25 years experience in the baking industry and writes regularly for publications on his favourite subject of bread.