Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons had the honour of snipping the ribbon to mark the re-opening of his favourite artisan chocolate shop in Watlington on Saturday (January 21).
Local resident Jeremy has been a regular customer of Tutu Delicious Chocolates for some years, and particularly likes its salted caramel variety, says new owner 23-year-old Milissa Davis.
She has just taken over the business in the town’s historic High Street after beginning as a Saturday girl there when she was just 16.
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Realising her vocation, she served her apprenticeship at the shop before going on to perfect her art by studying under some of the world’s top chocolatiers.
“I’m obsessed with chocolate,” she says, describing herself as a natural at making it.
So when the business was put up for sale by former owner Zoe Haynes, Milissa leapt at the chance.
“When I left [the shop] I sort of left my heart there, so it’s come full circle.”
And Jeremy is delighted that it has – not just for his regular order of salted caramels but for the way that it is helping to bring new life to the town.
“It’s fantastic - the fact that she trained here with Zoe” he says. “It’s just great to have a local establishment in the area that’s getting a wide reputation.”
A wide variety of chocolates, including exotic flavours such as mango and chilli, are made on the premises at Tutu Delicious, which joins a bakery and beauty shop as one of a number of small businesses in the town run by young female entrepreneurs.
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