It's time to celebrate chocolate!

WE ARE BACK with our THIRD edition of The Indian Cacao & Craft Chocolate Festival! Taking place in Bangalore this November, we're excited to bring along a few friends from across the country to celebrate! Come, revel in the limelight with renowned Indian craft chocolate makers, cacao farmers, industry professionals, chocolatiers, artisans, and chocolate enthusiasts.

At this event, you'll get to:

• Taste some of the best craft chocolate
• Interact with your favorite brands
• Shop for exquisite delicacies
• Binge on the finest chocolate creations
• Participate in fun workshops and conferences
• And engage with a beautiful community connected by chocolate!

Also get exclusive access to conferences and workshops!

(25th November, Saturday)

1. Taste with Colour! by Ketaki Churi (10am - 11am)

A fun yet insightful tasting and painting workshop where we'll discover how colours can take your tasting experience to new levels.

2. Understanding the *Craft* in Craft Chocolate by Akhil Grandhi from Bon Fiction (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Experience how human craftmanship shapes the taste of chocolate through a tasting session, and hear from a chocolate maker himself.

3. Cacao Cultivation & Regenerative Farming by Partha Varanashi from Varanashi Organic Farms (1pm - 2pm)

Are you a cacao farmer and looking to improve your plantation? Learn about the essentials of regenerative farming to boost cacao cultivation from a generational farmer.

4. From Bean to Bliss: The Alchemy of Fermentation by Payal Shah from Kobo Fermentary (2:30pm - 3:30pm)

This session is your gateway to understanding the pivotal role of fermentation in cacao processing. Dive into the science behind the transformation, discover its impact on cacao beans, and explore what unfolds after fermentation. Whether you're a chocolate enthusiast or a budding chocolatier, this workshop promises to deepen your appreciation for the alchemy of cacao fermentation.

5. Storytelling in the World of Chocolate by Dr. Arun Viswanathan from Chitra'm (4pm - 5pm)

Join Arun, a renowned chocolate expert with a Ph.D in Agri Business Management, specializing in the bean-to bar-chocolate market, for an exclusive session with insights into the Indian bean-to-bar market, understanding how storytelling and branding can impact product success, and learn how to leverage emerging trends to propel your chocolate business forward. Arun will also treat you to an exclusive tasting of the upcoming season of flavours.

6. Artisanal Cheese & Craft Chocolate: A Pairing Experience by Patricia Cosma + Nari & Kage (5:30pm - 6:30pm)

A flavourful introduction to artisanal cheese and craft chocolate where you will learn how to pair cheese and chocolate and appreciate its tastes and textures.

7. Wine & Chocolate Pairing by Trippy Goat Cafe (7pm - 8pm)

Join us for a memorable evening of Wine and Craft Chocolate Pairing! Explore the art of taste as we match fine wines with decadent craft chocolates, creating a symphony of flavors that will delight your senses. Indulge in a casual, yet sophisticated, experience that will elevate your appreciation for both wine and chocolate

(26th November, Sunday)

1. Cacao in Your Everyday Life by Priyanka Sunil from Paul & Mike (10am - 11am)

Daily cacao consumption offers a wealth of health benefits, from antioxidants boosting heart health to mood-enhancing properties. This workshop helps us understand how can we incorporate cacao into our daily lives, plus easy recipes to let cacao work its magic on our wellbeing!

2. The Endless Possibilities of Cacao by Chaitanya Muppala from Manam Chocolate (11:30am - 1:30am | not included in day passes)

A discussion on the history of Cacao and its journey through the ages.

This discussion will be followed by a profiling session that forms an introduction to appreciating craft chocolate. Best suited for an audience who wants to learn about cacao and craft chocolate appreciation.

3. Fermentation Fantasies by Rahul Reddy and Manali Khandelwal from Subko Cacao (2:30pm - 3:30pm)

A sensory exploration, experimenting with processing of fine Indian cacao and specialty Indian coffee showcasing the synchronicity between utilising the Koji Fermentation technique and the Carbonic Maceration technique for both coffee and cacao alike, followed by an immersive tasting session, while also exploring the by-products of Cacao - Cacao Juice and Cacao Husk. 

4. Conscious Collabs by Mansi Reddy, Sahar Mansoor, Kuruvilla Louis (4pm - 5pm)

Join Sahar from Bare Necessities and Kuruvilla from Kuruvinakunnel Tharavadu Farms with Mansi Reddy from Mason & Co as they talk about their co-branded cacao products, the challenges & rewards of co-creating and their unique collaboration experiences as ethical small businesses in India. A panel discussion with Mason & Co on the thought and strategy behind collaborating and creating consciously with cacao. 

5. The Application of Craft Chocolate and Their Differences by Chef Ruby Islam from Manam Chocolate (5:30pm - 7pm | not included in day passes)

Learn about how the application of craft chocolate is different from that of industrial chocolate. The discussion will center around the challenges and opportunities of using craft chocolate in recipes that have historically been dependent on mass-produced industrial chocolate. It will entail profiling of samples and discussion around techniques, to map profiles and products.

6. Craft Chocolate Flavour Innovation by Rahul Reddy and Manali Khandelwal from Subko Cacao (7:30pm - 8:30pm)

A deep dive into Subko’s process of building flavours around Craft Chocolate, with a tasting of Subko Cacao’s Chocolate and Confectionery range showcasing integrations with specialty coffee and craft baking techniques.

Terms & Conditions:

• Purchase of a workshop ticket includes entry to the festival
• Access to interactive workshops not included with a General Entry pass
• Compensations for double bookings will not be entertained
• The organizing committee reserves the rights of admission