Chocolate fountain
Where: the Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton, North Yorkshire
? wensleydaleheifer.co.uk
The idea: When chef/owner David Moss took over the Heifer two years ago he was determined to inject some fun into the pub's food. Appalled at the cost of renting a chocolate fountain for a New Year's Eve celebration, David decided to buy his own. The fountain now earns its keep by being showcased in the pub's restaurant once a month.
How it works: Named Fantasy Friday, on the last Friday of every month customers can enjoy the delights of the pub's chocolate fountain for the price of a regular dessert (£5.50). A range of fruit together with choux buns, muffins, Turkish delight and marshmallows, all handmade by the pub, are on offer to tempt chocolate lovers during unlimited trips to the fountain.
Business benefit: About 50% of diners on Fantasy Friday take the chocolate fountain option. "The fountain is not something
you would want to have out all the time because of the logistics of it, and it can
be a bit messy, but it looks nice and the customers like it," David explains. The fountain also usually makes an appearance at the pub's New Year's Eve parties and has been used at private functions. David says: "We are planning to set up our own gourmet food company and will rent the fountain out, on a daily basis, at a reasonable rate."
Not content to just have chocolate on the menu, David has also dedicated an entire room to the brown stuff. The Chocolate room is one of nine en suite themed bedrooms at the Heifer and guests who book to stay the night are treated to as much chocolate as they can eat.
Top tip on making the idea work: Use sparingly to maximise novelty value.
