I’ve been a fan of Hotel Chocolat since around 2005, when I first discovered them online following a friend’s recommendation. Their approach to chocolate was completely different and a welcome change. Importantly to me, Hotel Chocolat have long flown the flag of commitment towards ethical trading. I was very pleased when one of their boutique-style shops appeared on my local High Street – especially as they often have a tray of taster chocolates on the counter!
Now I know that I probably shouldn’t be tempting you with chocolate Easter Eggs with still six weeks to go until Easter Sunday, but I like to think of this as preparation!  Since Hotel Chocolat have been kind enough to send me a small parcel, I’d like to whet your appetite with this beauty; it’s The Dark Chocolate Ostrich Egg!
The really good news is that one of my lucky readers will also be sent one in time for Easter!
Look good?! The Ostrich-sized egg is made up of two extremely large 70% dark chocolate shells covered first in crunchy almond pieces and then coated in a second layer of chocolate.  It weighs over a kilogram and the shell is so thick that I had to give it a good, satisfying whack with a rolling pin to begin breaking it up!
In case the Ostrich Egg itself doesn’t fill you up over the Easter weekend, Hotel Chocolat also include eight decorated mini-eggs, three mini-slabs of Fruit & Nut and Chilli & Orange dark chocolate, and a tray of over sixteen popular dark chocolates including ‘explode-in-your-mouth’ liquid caramels, a sugar-coated Gianduja and their ‘5-second’ chilli praline.
My favourites from the selection – and I promise I have shared them around! – were the Chilli & Orange slab (a sensational combination!), the texture and flavour of the Ostrich Egg itself and the House Praline, their signature chocolate for good reason. The boozy dark chocolate mini-eggs are also divine and I’m torn as to whether I love most the Amaretto or the Strawberry Marc de Champagne truffle.
Everything is very well presented. The foil-wrapped Ostrich Egg arrives tied with a ribbon, ‘nested’ within a large rectangular black box with a crisp white lid.  The egg sits next to a compartment containing the separate box of chocolates, mini-eggs and slabs.  It is very tastefully done.
The Dark Chocolate Ostrich Egg is a true showstopper. Â Extravagant: yes. Over-the-top: yes. Â Deeply pleasurable: yes. Â It would make a striking centrepiece for an Easter table gathering, a grand gift for the one you love or if you have, at any point in the year, been ‘in the dog house’ of a chocoholic, this is the Egg to go out and buy to make things all better.
The Giveaway:
Hotel Chocolat are going to send one of these beauties to a lucky reader.  The Dark Chocolate Ostrich Egg is worth £65.00 and is their most luxurious egg of the season.  It could be yours.  You could be as happy as I am now sampling it!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED – THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MONDAY 28TH MARCH 2011Â Â
Good Luck!
>THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ENTRIES AND COMMENTS. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
>Retweeted link to comp @facelessfood
>Already follow you on Twitter @facelessfood
>I only just spotted this comp, but better late than never!
I like the look of the egg box selection on Hotel Chocolat.
>Hey there – glad to be a follower of you and Hotel Chocolat! The cake looks lovely – where did you get the cakestand from?
Great photography BTW and an awesome blog 😉
>I follow the fab @renbehan on twitter! @alexbrayphoto
>I follow @hotelchocolat on twitter @alexbrayphoto
>I've tweeted this blog entry!! @alexbrayphoto
>My favourite is The Milk Ostrich Egg …. Mmmmmm!!!
>Hi. I'd like to enter your competition and have posted the link on my twitter @cakesbydali
Thanks, Dali
>Am following you on twitter as @rh23rh23
>Have tweeted as @rh23rh23
>Already following Hotel Chocolat on Twitter
>Serious Dark Fix Extra Thick Easter Egg is my favourite
>And finally – have Facebook liked and commented 🙂
>And have tweeted (@misswhiplash)
>Am already following you (@misswhiplash)
>Hotel Chocolat are followed (@misswhiplash)
>I'm loving the wee quails eggs this year – I'll definitely be getting them for all my egg giftees…
>The Eggsibitionist Extra Thick Egg. I already follow @HotelChocolat and am tweeing about it! (My husband will be really, really happy if I win this for him)
>strawberry melt egg is my fav
>following on twitter @emmaand
>liked on fbook
>I like Fabulicious Food on Facebook.
Emma L Clarke
Thanks for the generous competition and have a happy Easter!
>I follow @RenBehan on Twitter
@emma1111111
>I have RT'd the link to the competition as requested for another entry into the competition
>Already like HotelChocolat on FB and Twitter
@emma1111111
>My favourite is the Strawberry Melt Egg Sandwich – Mmmm…
@emma1111111
>I have retweeted @Hestia14
>Liked Fabulicious Food on Facebook
>Liked Hotel Chocolat on facebook and following on twitter @Hestia14
>following RenBehan on twitter @Hestia14
>I'd love the Easter weekend selection so the family could share it.
>And tweeted 🙂 @metalmummy84 x
>Following you on Twitter 🙂 @metalmummy84 x
>Liked Fabulicious Food on FB x
>Liked the Hotel Chocolat facebook AND following them x
>Om nom nom nom.
The creamed caramel club egg sandwich looks divine!
>Like your Facebook Page (Wendy McDonald)
Many thanks 🙂 xxx
>Follow you on Twitter. @wendymcd83
>Tweeted @wendymcd83
>Like Hotel Chocolat on Facebook and follow on Twitter.
>I'm following on twitter and love the look of The Purist Extra Thick Egg…Yummmm!!!!!!!
>The Sleekster Egg Box looks divine. Lots of little eggs to sample over the weekend…and Easter Sunday is my birthday this year too! Perfect excuse to indulge!
>There is so much I'd love to have, but I think the milk chocolate Ostrich Egg would do very nicely 😉
>I'm following you on Twitter
>I'm following Hotel Chocolat on Twitter
>my favourite item on the Hotel Chocolat website is the Easter Weekend Hamper – wonder if it would last a weekend?
>I've tweeted via the button too – thanks 🙂
>I've liked Hotel Chocolat on facebook and follow on Twitter
>The Easter weekend selection looks like a fun way to spend the easter weekend! Thanks – fab prize!
>And followed you on Twitter as well… @cobbiecollinge
Big Thanks, lovely prize!
Simon.
>RT'd the post using the button… @cobbiecollinge
>Liked the Hotel Chocolat page on Facebook/Twitter…
>Yum! Love them all, but my first choice would be the You Crack Me Up Extra Thick Easter Egg.
Thanks!
Simon.
>I like the Serious Dark Fixâ„¢ Extra Thick Easter Egg.
Can't wait to get my hands on one.
>I already follow you on twitter 🙂
>I am following them on twitter 🙂
>The Strawberry Melt Egg looks good, but then I really love their caramel chocolatem:)
>I have liked Hotel Chocolat on Facebook
>I follow Hotel Chocolat on twitter – @lucyloumartin
>I have tweeted this competition on twitter – @lucyloumartin
>I have followed you on twitter – @lucyloumartin
>It just so happens that the Dark Chocolate Ostrich Egg is my favourite!
>Gotta be the 'you crack me up' egg as there are the little cute faces to share with the kids!
>i 'like' you on Facebook
>I already 'like' hotel chocolat on Facebook
>I love the 'you crack me up' egg. Looks great with all those smiling faces popping out of the egg.
>I follow you on twitter = @Walpolegirl
>Checked out Hotel Chocolate – I like their box of oodles of eggs
>Hi I have followed Hotel Chocolate on Twitter – Heidi @Walpolegirl
>I have retweeted you, couldn't find the button on this page. Is that ok? @NikkiEatwell
>I have to say the dark ostrich egg is my fav, the quails eggs looked good too!
>I also follow you on twitter NikkiEatwell
>I have 'liked' on FB
>I've also 'liked' Hotel Choclat's page.
>Milk Chocolate Easter Eggsposé would be my yummy fave!
>The Easter Hamper – fabulous 🙂
>And finally I've liked Fabulicious Food on FB!
>I'm now following you on Twitter 🙂
@disneymumjo
>I like Hotel Chocolat on FB and follow them on Twitter 🙂
>I love the Egg and soldiers as they look so cute!
>Followed you on twitter @becksell2001 and tweeted 🙂
>I like the Your Eggsellency Extra Thick Egg.
>I like your FB page too x
>I follow you on twitter @josie301
>I have tweeted @josie301
>I like Hotel chocolat on FB & follow on twitter @josie301
x
>I like the strawberry melt egg sandwich http://www.hotelchocolat.co.uk/Easter-Eggs-Gift-P300160/ – looks tasty x
>Liked you on facebook
Diana Cotter
>Following you on Twitter
@happyfox
>Already following hotelchocolat on Twitter
@happyfox
>Tweeted @happyfox
>You've actually got my favourite right there – I've coveted that Dark Chocolate Ostrich Egg ever since I first saw it 🙂
@happyfox
>I am now following you on Twitter
@stickyt_pud
>I am following Hotel Chocolat on Twitter
@stickyt_pud
>The dark chocolate Ostrich Egg is definitely my favourite. It looks 'eggstremely' delicious!
>i am liking you on facebook 🙂
>i am following you on twitter
@claireishoop
>i have tweeted
@claireishoop
>i like hotel chocolat on facebook and follow them on twitter
@claireishoop
>aside from the ostrich egg the rocky road to caramel extra thick egg looks divine
>Actually, I have relooked at the website (wipes drool off mouth) and I want the caramel world slab! That would suit me fine.
>I think I have covered all the options. Starving now!
>Well that Ostrich egg looks amazing. I could eat that forever!
>Hello!
I have tweeted this blog entry by way of entering! Fingers tightly crossed! 🙂
@foodviking
Thanks,
Chris
(http://foodviking.blogspot.com)