🌟 The Journey of Tempting: From Milkshakes to Hot Chocolates and Beyond

Tempting is a Ross-on-Wye based drinks business founded in 2025 by Charlie Bowden. What began as Charlie’s Shakes — a small stall serving fun milkshakes — has grown into a brand known for indulgent hot chocolates, adventurous coffees, and community connection. From local markets to large-scale events, Tempting is all about creating memorable experiences through drinks that delight and stories that inspire.

🍓 The Spark

Tempting began in May 2025 with a simple idea: to bring a milkshake store to Ross-on-Wye. Inspired by ShakeAway in Bristol, I couldn’t stop thinking about creating something similar in my hometown. Within days, I was sketching names and logos, eventually settling on Charlie’s Shakes.

The following week, my kitchen became a laboratory as I trialed countless recipes. In the end, we launched with a small but mighty menu: Strawberry, Nutella, and Cadbury Flake milkshakes.

🏗️ Laying the Foundations

Starting a food business meant more than just great flavours. I registered with the local council, completed my Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene certificate, and invested in the essentials — mixers, cups, straws, and everything needed to serve customers properly.

By June 14th, we were ready for our very first event: a charity tennis tournament in Ross-on-Wye. With just a small table setup, we served milkshakes to kids and adults alike. It was humble, but it was a start — and the lessons we learned that day shaped everything that followed.

🎪 Markets and Community

In July, I reached out to Ross Town Council and was welcomed into the local market scene. Our first market on August 7th was slow, but invaluable. Then came the Ross Summer Buzz — a bustling community event where milkshakes flew off the table. The atmosphere was electric, and for the first time, I felt Tempting’s potential to be more than just a stall.

From then on, we attended Thursday markets regularly, building connections and confidence.

🌍 A Jungle Trek and a New Direction

September brought a pause as my dad and I trekked through the Sumatran jungle to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. That trip changed me. When I returned, I realized milkshakes wouldn’t survive the cold months — it was time to expand.

Weeks of experimentation followed as I worked to perfect a hot chocolate recipe. My first attempt, a solid pre-made version, proved impractical. So I pivoted, transforming my kitchen into a laboratory until I finally cracked a powdered recipe that was safe, delicious, and market-ready.

🔥 Big Breaks

By October, “Charlie’s Shakes” no longer fit. We rebranded temporarily as Hot Chocolate Heaven and joined Saturday markets throughout autumn. Then came the breakthrough: Hereford Council invited me to be the sole hot drinks trader at their Fireworks Display.

With 5,000 people expected, it was the biggest event I’d ever faced. I spent an entire day preparing powder for the hot chocolates, and on November 1st, we served more drinks in a single day than ever before. It was exhilarating — proof that Tempting could thrive at scale.

☕ Expanding Horizons

Since then, Tempting has grown beyond hot chocolate. Inspired by my time in Sumatra, I introduced Indonesian-style Sanger coffee — a drink I never expected to love, but one that instantly became a customer favorite.

Week after week, I’ve continued serving at the Ross Town Market, connecting with the community and refining the Tempting experience. Now, I’m taking a short break before returning for the Ross Christmas Market on December 20th — and I can’t wait to see you all there.

✨ Looking Ahead

From a single table at a tennis club to serving thousands at major events, Tempting’s journey has been one of experimentation, resilience, and community. What started as Charlie’s Shakes is now evolving into something bigger: a brand built on indulgence, creativity, and connection.

The story is still being written — and every market, every recipe, and every customer brings us closer to what Tempting is destined to become.

Last edited 05/03/2026 by Charlie Bowden

🎄Ross Christmas Market — 20th December

Our last market of the year couldn’t have been a better way to finish things off. Right in the centre of Ross‑on‑Wye, the whole place felt properly festive. I loved being part of it — serving hot chocolates and coffees to people trying to stay warm in the cold winter air. It really felt like Tempting had become part of the town’s Christmas traditions.

That evening, we headed over to support the Ross Town Santa Parade, which brought around five hundred people together. We handed out free hot chocolates and coffees to anyone who wanted one. It was great to see so many people enjoying a warm drink as they watched the parade.

🧊 A Quiet Start to the Year

January wasn’t the booming start I imagined. The Ross-on-Wye markets were almost empty, and on several weekends I was the only trader there. We welcomed a couple of new customers, but it was mainly the regulars keeping things moving. Most days didn’t even cover the cost of showing up.

🌙 Abergavenny Food & Drink Night Market

Abergavenny’s Food and Drink Night Market quickly became one of the standout moments of the early year. Unlike the quiet winter mornings in Ross, this was a completely different world — a bustling evening market packed with energy, colour, and the smell of dinner being cooked from every direction. Greek gyros, Indian curries, gourmet pulled‑pork burgers, tabletop makers, full trailer setups — the variety was huge, and so were the crowds. People came ready to eat, explore, and try something new. Stepping into that environment pushed Tempting into a bigger, livelier space, and it felt like the kind of market where the business could really grow.

🌤️ February Markets

February brought a noticeable lift compared to January, even if the pace was still slow at times. More traders returned to the Ross-on-Wye market, which gave the place some much‑needed life, and the 14th’s Health & Wellbeing Market filled the square with stalls under the first genuinely sunny day of the year. Despite the brighter weather and the bigger lineup, footfall stayed low and most traders had a quiet day. A pancake‑day event was planned for the 15th and would’ve been a brilliant opportunity for Tempting, but heavy rain forced a last‑minute cancellation. February didn’t transform the season, but it showed signs of movement — small steps forward after a tough start.

🌒 A Quiet Shift Underway

Something else has been taking shape behind the scenes too — a project that’s been quietly growing while the markets tick along. It’s not ready to be revealed just yet, but it’s going to change the way Tempting Tastes shows up this year.

🚚 Our Trailer has arrived!

We’ve hit a huge milestone: our brand‑new Tempting Tastes trailer is officially on the road. After months of planning, designing, and dreaming, it’s finally here — fully kitted out, eye‑catching, and ready to bring our drinks to more people than ever. The trailer gives us the freedom to pop up at events, markets, and festivals across the region.

💪 Ross Health & Fitness HYROX Sim Event

We also had an incredible day at the Ross Health & Fitness Centre HYROX Sim event, where we set up with the new trailer and met an amazing crowd of athletes and supporters. The atmosphere was incredible, and the feedback on our drinks was even better. It was a brilliant chance to connect with the HYROX community and fuel athletes with something they genuinely enjoyed.