CHOCCYWOCCYDOODAH has been a Brighton institution for 21 years.

As the team of confectionery conjurers launch their latest project to teach their fans how to make their own chocolate sensations, they spoke to chief reporter Emily Walker about their meteoric rise to fame and fortune and their plans for the future.

HUNDREDS of chocoholics from across the world blocked the most colourful corner of Brighton’s Lanes as they clamoured for a glimpse of the creative geniuses behind a chocolate Statue of Liberty and a life size Katy Perry mermaid.

Choccywoccydoodah creative director Christine Taylor and her team of edible artists welcomed fans into their Meeting House Lane “Mothership” to launch their new cookbook.

Crowds queued round the block and fans flew in from across the country – and the globe – with visitors from Italy and New Zealand joining the flock.

Nervous Katy Sones, nine, from Kent, said the experience was “better than meeting Sooty”.

The book Chocolate, Cake and Curses is an elegant coffee table tome to all things Choccywoccydoodah – including 60 chocolate filled recipes to try out.

But the secret to their trademark chocolate modelling is being kept close to their chests.

“We haven’t told anyone how to do what we do,” said Christine.

“It takes three years to learn that and we do all our own training.

“But we do explain to people how to do a lot of other things for themselves.

“Not everyone can cook but everyone can eat and that’s always been our mission.”

Despite more than two decades in chocolate, Christine said she is still not sick of the dark stuff.

“I never get sick of it.

“I do get sick of cake though, but never chocolate.

“The thing is we are always doing something different so you never get bored of it.”

The team – affectionately known as the Doodahs – certainly have come up with some very different ideas when it comes to chocolate recipes in the book.

Not least chocolate canapés and salmon with white chocolate.

Despite reaching fans around the world with their fly-on-the-wall TV documentary, Choccywoccydoodah staff claim their home will always be in Brighton and Hove.

More than just a cook book – the book is Choccywoccydoodah’s life story and a tribute to the city.

Christine said: “Because of the marvellous Brighton population, because Brighton liked Choccywoccydoodah from the start, because Brightonians really love cake, the Mothership will always be here.”

But over the years the Doodahs have built up a cult following.

The likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Branson and Boy George have tucked into of their cakes.

But since becoming reality TV stars they have become celebrities in their own rights.

“It is quite strange,” said Christine.

“People come in to the shop and scream ‘you’re here’.

“They think we do what we do just for a show.

“But this is what we actually do. Where else would I be?” Dave Ratcliffe – the chocolate sculptor behind some of their most outrageous creations – said he had started to build a fan base.

He said: “My husband notices it more than me.

“We’ll be out and he’ll say ‘that person’s recognised you, and that one’. He spots them all.”

Dave is now getting ready to dream up the shop’s next stunning window display.

The striking displays have become a firm fixture on the city’s tourist trail.

Their current decorations include a life-size cockerel and giant March hares, pictured right.

Creating the legendary window displays is “the best part of my job because I’ve got no one telling me what to do” said Dave.

He is planning his next creation to be a scene of Greek gods.

“The window display is a great chance to get creative, and show off as much as we can,” said Dave.

“There will be lots of men in togas and jugs of wine.

“I have been wanting to do something like this for years.”