Client Interview: Handmade Chocolate From East Sussex - Rye Chocolates

Food clients are always a joy to work with, and chocolate brands have got to be at the top of that list (for obvious reasons)! When Rye chocolates approached myself, and stylist Emma Shipley, we knew we were in for a treat. Single origin, handmade chocolate from East Sussex, in delicious and unusual flavours.

We spoke to Toby, from Rye chocolates, about the story behind the brand and a few other bits and bobs…

Meet RYE CHOCOLATES

Tell us a bit about Rye Chocolates and how it started. ‍

Rye Chocolates started pretty simply really - we wanted to make chocolate that felt joyful, playful, and genuinely delicious, without overcomplicating it. Our core principle is to make the best handmade, single-origin, sustainably sourced chocolate possible. We have stores in Rye, Hastings, Battersea Power Station & online. We also stock great stockists throughout the UK.

the Brand Aesthetic

The artwork on the chocolate bars is so beautiful! Can you tell us about the illustrator(s) / designer(s) of the packaging please?

Thank you! The artwork is a huge part of the bars for us. We really wanted the packaging to feel like something you’d want to keep or give as a gift, not just tear open and throw away. We work with local and national artists. The idea is to create something bold & fun - so each bar has its own personality, but they still feel like part of the same family.

RECIPE DEVELOPMENT

We love styling your bars with ingredients references as props. How do you decide on the new flavours for the bars? ‍

Usually it starts with something that sounds delicious enough that I want to eat it immediately - which is probably the best test. We look for flavours that feel fun, nostalgic or slightly unexpected, but still really work as chocolate. Sometimes it’s inspired by classic pairings, sometimes by puddings, drinks, travel or random cravings.

SELLING PLATFORMS

We noticed that you’re selling your chocolate at Water Lane’s Flea & Food Market on the 28th & 29th March 2026. Are events like this a good selling platform, or do you have most of your sales in store / online? ‍ ‍

Events are brilliant for us, partly for sales but also because people get to discover the bars in person, try flavours and chat to us face-to-face. It’s always nice seeing which bars people go for first. Store and online sales are obviously really important too, but markets like Water Lane are great because they build a bit of buzz around the brand and bring in new customers who might not have found us otherwise.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

We have done 2 photoshoots for Rye chocolates so far. Has the new photography received any positive feedback from customers? ‍

Definitely, people have really responded to it. Good photography makes such a difference, especially with chocolate, because if it looks beautiful and appetising people instantly get the brand a bit more. The new images feel much more like “us” - colourful, rich and a bit playful - and that’s been reflected in the feedback. They’ve helped the bars look as special online as they do in real life, which is no small thing.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Any big plans for the year ahead?

Always too many! We’ve got some new flavours in the pipeline, more events coming up, and generally we’re focused on getting Rye Chocolates in front of more people this year.

Shop the delicious RYE CHOCOLATES online