Willie Harcourt-Cooze facts for kids
William George Harcourt-Cooze (born on April 29, 1964) is a British chocolate maker and business owner. He became well-known in 2008 when the TV show Willie's Wonky Chocolate Factory aired on Channel 4. This show followed his journey to grow, import, and produce his own chocolate.
Early Life and Adventures
Willie Harcourt-Cooze was born in London. When he was four years old, his father bought Horse Island in Ireland. His family moved there, and his father started farming and living a self-sufficient life.
Willie went to school in both Ireland and England. After finishing school, he decided to travel the world. He visited many places, including Australia, Peru, and the Far East. These travels helped him see different parts of the world and learn new things.
The Chocolate Journey
Willie's chocolate adventure began after he married Tania Coleridge. On their honeymoon in Venezuela in 1993, they discovered a large cocoa farm called Hacienda El Tesoro. This farm was located in a beautiful cloud forest.
They decided to buy the farm and moved to Venezuela. They planted more than 50,000 cocoa trees. They also started an eco-tourism project, which allowed visitors to experience the farm and its natural surroundings. In 1998, Willie started making pure chocolate bars for the local people using cocoa beans from his farm.
In 2007, Willie and Tania returned to the United Kingdom. In 2008, he began making chocolate in Uffculme, Devon, England. This process was filmed for the Channel 4 TV show Willie's Wonky Chocolate Factory. The show was very popular, and a second series, Willie's Chocolate Revolution: Raising the Bar, aired in 2009. This series showed Willie's efforts to introduce a dark chocolate bar with a high cocoa content to the British market.
Willie believes in a "Bean-to-Bar" approach. This means he grows and sources his own cocoa beans to make his chocolate. He even appeared on a podcast in December 2020, discussing his cooking methods.
Personal Life
Willie Harcourt-Cooze has three children. He lives in Tiverton, Devon. He and his wife, Tania Harcourt-Cooze, divorced in 2010.
TV Appearances
Willie Harcourt-Cooze has appeared in several television shows:
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Willie's Wonky Chocolate Factory | Self |
| 2008 | Willie's Perfect Chocolate Christmas | Self |
| 2009 | Willie's Chocolate Revolution: Raising the Bar | Self |
| 2011 | Studio One | Guest |
| 2015 | The Living Room | Guest |
See also
