August in Edinburgh, There's Nothing Quite Like It
August is always a magical month in Edinburgh, especially when you live, work and love the Fringe as much as I do. The city bursts to life with the world's largest arts festival, hosting over 50,000 performances across every genre imaginable.
This year felt extra special. Marking the Fringe's 70th anniversary and with our JustBe Fringe chocolates in the Fringe Shop on the Royal Mile, we were part of that celebration in a way that still feels genuinely extraordinary to look back on.
Graham Norton and Radio 2's Steve Wright
Some moments simply don't make it onto camera, such as whether bars of JustBe Chocolate reached Sir David Attenborough who was visiting Edinburgh. Other's such as handing one to Graham Norton, who was more than happy to have a snap, made the moment real.
Then there was Gary Lamont, who's comedy show 'Dropping the soap' comedy show was hilarious and I considered it for my JustBe Loved Award. Gary's currently playing Charles Fairburn in Disney's Rivals and he deserves all the success and recognition that's coming his way.
And the late, great Steve Wright. The Radio 2 presenter was broadcasting his show live from Edinburgh and JustBe got a mention on air as Gail, who was in the audience, left chocolates on stage for the team to enjoy off air.
The JustBe Loved Fringe Award
Every year during the Fringe, Gail presents the JustBe Loved Award, given to the experience that she feels most embodies the kind of magic that the Fringe does better than anywhere else on earth.
In 2017, the award went to Secret Life of Humans: a captivating theatre piece at the Pleasance Courtyard that left audiences and Gail, genuinely moved. A beautifully deserved winner.
The Photo Competition Winner and It Was Bali
The winner of our #EdFringeInYourMouth photo competition photographed their JustBe Fresh Mint bar relaxing in sunny Bali - a fitting winner for a competition that had already taken our chocolates to Rome, Croatia and Chicago.
Edinburgh to Bali. Not bad for a Fringe chocolate bar.
Two Great Taste Awards - the Sweetest Ending
And to close out what had already been an extraordinary month: JustBe Loved chocolate and JustBe Active herbal tea both received Great Taste Awards.
The Great Taste Awards are judged blind by over 500 judges including chefs, food critics and buyers, making them one of the most credible and hard-won food accolades in the UK. To receive recognition for both the chocolate and the tea in the same year, in the same month as everything else that had happened, felt like the most wonderful full stop to an unforgettable August.
With golden memories of the most remarkable month, Gail
Explore the JustBe range that earned it:
-
JustBe Loved dark chocolate - Great Taste Award winner
- JustBe Active herbal tea - Great Taste Award winner
-
Shop our full award-winning wellbeing chocolate collection
- Our awards, reviews and press coverage
-
Read: JustBe Botanicals at the Edinburgh Fringe - Chosen for the 70th Anniversary
- Read: #EdFringeInYourMouth - JustBe Fringe Chocolate Around the World
- Read: 70 Golden Tickets, a Double Award Win & JustBe on Big Brother