It's our 1st Birthday!

It's our 1st Birthday! - Russell and Atwell

Steve and I can't believe we're here - the 1st Birthday for Russell & Atwell!

We started off in our kitchens at the end of 2019 with some very nobbly looking chocolates and, after making and tasting over 100 prototypes, we landed on our signature flavours...

It was tough planning a business through Zoom calls during the lockdown of Summer of 2020, and it was with a sense of both achievement and relief that we finally launched in September 2020 with a Kickstarter campaign. In October our dream became a reality, as we opened our online store.

In our first year, we...

- Became the no1 'Most Popular Food Project in the World' on Kickstarter.

- Launched Salted Caramel & Hazelnut flavours, as well as Gifting Jars and a totally new Refill Model. 

- Had our first consumer show (Blenheim) and trade show (Speciality Fine Food Show).

- Are now sold in quality delis & cafes from the Cotswolds to Cambridge and started to expand into London.

- Appeared in media ranging from the BBC Good Food Magazine to Sheerluxe to GQ online (top foody gifts for Xmas '20), and have featured on Radio London, Liz Loves, Metro and more!

We are hugely grateful to our extended team, friends and family who have encouraged us, eaten a lot of prototypes (!) and went on to buy our fresh chocolates for themselves and their loved ones.

Thank you also to our wonderful customers and retailers for making this first year a magical one for us. 

So, into year 2 now with a new flavour on the horizon (the future is bright), new pouch packaging that will be fully recyclable and BIG plans for 2022 (more on this later).

Giles & Steve

P.S. While it is 1 year for Russell & Atwell, for Giles' family, October marks 100 years of working in chocolate. If you'd like to discover more - do read about '5 men and an idea' here

 

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Five men and an idea - 100 years in chocolate! - Russell and Atwell

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Comments

Nigel Overton

My mum worked in the Carlton Cafe / Bakery maidstone high street kent. for many years making all the beautiful cakes 1955….

For many years my mum has talked of one of the best chocolates that she has ever tasted and mentioned the name of Lesme the me and time and time again

My mother is now 90 and I try to hear much about her past as I question her younger years and to help her keep her fond memories as the horrible dementia slowly takes hold I try to keep her fond memories alive.
It was so good to come across this site so I could now show her a photo of the old factory and lorry. Are there any photo’s of the chocolate bars or blocks which it would have been sent out in as a commercial chocolate ….
Kind regards
Nigel Overton

Nigel Overton

My mum worked in the Carlton Cafe / Bakery maidstone high street kent. for many years making all the beautiful cakes 1955….

For many years my mum has talked of one of the best chocolates that she has ever tasted and mentioned the name of Lesme the me and time and time again

My mother is now 90 and I try to hear much about her past as I question her younger years and to help her keep her fond memories as the horrible dementia slowly takes hold I try to keep her fond memories alive.
It was so good to come across this site so I could now show her a photo of the old factory and lorry. Are there any photo’s of the chocolate bars or blocks which it would have been sent out in as a commercial chocolate ….
Kind regards
Nigel Overton

Jeffrey Wallder

In 1971 I worked for Smee’s Advertising who handled the advertising for Lesme chocolate. I remember going to their factory, then in north London, for a tour – and a bar of Lesme chocolate, the best chocolate I had ever tasted, then and since.

Jenny and Rodney

Hi Giles & Steve,
Many congratulations! One year already! We remember you, Giles as a very young baby. Little did we know then what your chocolate future would unfold!
Very interesting reading about your chocolate history. We loved the picture of David & Giles.
Steve & Giles your fresh chocolate is delicious. Good luck for the coming year.
Best Wishes,
Jenny & Rodney

Kathy Shock

Fascinating to read the history to way back and congratulations on all you’ve done. Sumptuous chocolate, super-efficient process of getting it all to the world and a real sense of delight. May you succeed as you fully deserve!

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