Melanie Fallon: A few drinks helped me realise my sweet dream

But while many of you will be thinking about putting your feet up – I'll be rushed off mine.

Christmas is one of my busiest times of the year. During the festive season, at Valentine's, on Mother's Day and at Easter, I hardly get the chance to stop.

Not that I'm complaining, mind. It's great to know that so many people appreciate a little luxury once the festive season is in full swing.

For many years, I worked in hospitals. But a health scare persuaded me to take some time out – and that's when I started making chocolates.

I'd gone out for a few drinks and probably ended up having a few too many. By the end of the evening, my friend and I had decided to start a chocolate business.

The next day, I cleared the shelves at Sainsbury's. I quite literally bought every bar of Green & Blacks that they had. Then I made a batch of truffles and went to a farmers' market in Much Wenlock. I'd had about two or three hours sleep – and yet I loved it.

At first, I did it for a bit of fun. I didn't take it too seriously and the idea was to enjoy things, rather than make a profit. It probably took three years for me to establish myself.

But I've never looked back. Along the way, I was named our region's best chocolatier, winning a Heart of England Fine Foods Diamond Award, and my chocolates were even exported to Belgium, the international home of great chocolate.

More than a few people have compared me to the character that Juliette Binoche played in the film Chocolat. I think that's because I like to get to know my customers and create chocolates just for them. I think there's a chocolate for everyone – there are endless tastes and styles.

I like to come up with different designs. I don't just stick to a single range, like most chocolatiers, I like to constantly move things forward.

So I'll hand-make chocolate stiletto shoes for the ladies, or create Santas for kids using edible paints, that I brush on to the chocolate.

I'm glad that so many Star readers will be dipping into a box of their favourites this Christmas – and I'll look forward to joining you . . . as soon as I've finished all of my orders.

Melanie Fallon runs Bonbonniere and is based in Shrewsbury. Her chocolates are available at www.bonbonniere.co.uk, and her book, Out Of The Kitchen, is available on Amazon.