When Harvey Nichols got in touch with Hot Dinners offering to make a 3D chocolate model of one of us, it wasn't a case of whether we'd be interested, rather how quickly we could hotfoot it to Knightsbridge to put things in motion. The service is currently on offer up on the Fifth Floor courtesy of 3D printers iMakr Store.
What's required of the person being cast is literally 10 seconds in a booth studded with digital cameras. Several pictures are taken (from EVERY angle) and you get to pick the one you prefer most. A word of advice, apparently it's easier if you're not wearing dark clothing and ideally don't have your hair up.
Once that's all done, the image is emailed to the actual 3D printer in Clerkenwell which, through a process we don't fully understand and view as freakishly magical, prints out a head and shoulders sandstone model. That's then used to make a silicone mould which is filled with melted Rococo dark or milk chocolate. In just 10 days you get a box of six chocolate 'Mini-yous' delivered to your door.
As for the results, well they're freakishly realistic. And thanks to the fact they've used great chocolate, are also delicious. There's no getting away from the fact that this is a pricey exercise - £99 of your earth pounds - but for the foodie who thought they had everything, this could be the best present to get them this Easter.
The chocolate 3D maker will be available at Harvey Nichols until 27 April 2014. To book email them at food.market@harveynichols.com
