And we're travelling 13,000kms to be there

Yep that’s right – this is how far our chocolate obsession is taking us.

Chocolate lovers – mark your calendars: the Northwest Chocolate Festival is almost here and we couldn’t be more excited. This festival has been held annually in the vibrant city of Seattle for 16 years, and we can’t wait to see it all unfold. This festival is a celebration of all things bean to bar chocolate, and with a huge line up of Chocolate Makers, Demonstrations and Workshops, you’re guaranteed to find something to fall in love with.

We wrote this article on how Craft Chocolate Festivals are Reviving the Sweet Side of Chocolate, and the Northwest Chocolate Festival is no exception.

It’s just a couple of weeks away and we can’t contain ourselves – and as it’s our first time there, we’re taking as many handy tips, doing plenty of planning and leaving plenty of luggage space to make sure we make the most of the entire weekend. This includes:

Chocolate Makers UnConference 

October 3 @ 8:00 am – October 4 @ 10:00 pm

Designed and created for cocoa and chocolate professionals, UnConference gives the craft chocolate world a space to gather and solve challenges in the artisan chocolate industry.

Bring questions, share experience, collaborate with colleagues – network with new friends and grow your vision. This gathering, rooted in all things chocolate and cacao, is designed for the chocolate professional.

Add it to your calendar here!

Find more information here!

The Northwest Chocolate Festival

October 4 @ 3:00 pm – October 6 @ 5:00 pm

Join us for the best gathering of artisan chocolate makers in the world. Be prepared to delight your senses with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, inclusion bars, decadent desserts, truffles, bonbons, and caramels – all made by hand with the finest ingredients. Get your taste buds ready for a weekend of pure bliss.

Add it to your calendar here!

Find more information here!

And the best bit – here are all the chocolate makers you’ll get to meet (it’s a HUGE list – links coming soon!):

• Allelon Chocolate (USA, Washington)
• Ana Bandeira Chocolates (USA, Massachusettes)
• Ara Chocolate (France, Paris)
• Argencove (Nicaragua, Granada)
• AZU Pasteleria (Venzuela, Caracas)
• AYITIKA (Haiti)
• Baiani Chocolate (Brazil, Sao Palo)
• Black Jaguar Chocolate (Canada, British Colombia)
• Boo Chocolate (Thailand, Chiangrai)
• Chocolate Man (USA, Washington)
• Chocolate Naive (Lithuania, Vilnius)
• Chocollor Chocolate (Jamaica)
• Chocokoo Chocolate (Estonia, Harjumaa)
• Chocolarder Craft Chocolate Makers (UK, Falmouth)
• Cuna de Piedra (Mexico, Monterrey)
• Dalia Chocolate (Mexico, Baja California)
• Dandelion Chocolate (USA, California, San Francisco)
• Definite Chocolate (Dominican Republic)
• Dolcetta Artisan Sweets (USA, Washington, Seattle)
• Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (USA, California)
• DWN Craft Chocolatier (Canada, Ontario)
• Ethereal Confections (USA, Illinois)
• Fjak Chocolate (Norway, Eidfjord)
• Forte Chocolate (USA, Washington, Mt. Vernon)
• Fran’s Chocolates (USA, Washington, Seattle)
• Fresco Chocolate (USA, Washington, Lynden)
• Fruition Chocolate Works (USA, New York)
• Fu Wan Chocolate (Taiwan, Donggang)
• Godavari Chocolate (USA, California)
• Goodnow Farms Chocolate (USA, Massachusetts)
• green bean to bar CHOCOLATE (Japan, Tokyo)
• Guittard Chocolate (USA, California, Burlingame)
• Hasnaâ Chocolats Grands Crus (France, Bordeaux)
• HERNÁN MEXICO (USA, Texas, San Antonio)
• HERITAGE CHOCOLATE SRL (Dominican Republic)
• Hot Chocolat (USA, Washington)
• ICHIJI chocolate (Taiwan)
• INARU Valley (Dominican Republic, San Cristobal)
• indi chocolate (USA, Washington, Seattle)
• Intrigue Chocolate Co. (USA, Washington, Seattle)
• Jcoco (USA, Washington, Seattle)
• JW World Resources (USA, Washington)
• KAHKOW USA (USA, New York & Dominican Republic)
• Karuna Chocolate (Italy, Bolzano)
• Kenlee Jerky (USA, Washington)
• KESSHO (USA, Texas, Austin)
• La Goulue Chocolatier (USA, Texas)
• LIKKLE MORE CHOCOLATE (Jamaica)
• Luisa Abram Chocolates (Brazil, São Paulo)
• Lumineux Chocolate (USA, South Carolina)
• Macaw Cacao (USA and Costa Rica)
• Magic Bites (USA, Washington, Bothell)
• Melissa Coppel Chocolatier (USA, Nevada, Las Vegas)
• Menakao (Madagascar, Ambohidratrimo)
• Meridian Cacao Co. (USA, Oregon, Portland)
• Metiche Chocolate (Mexico, Guadalajara)
• Mike & Becky (Belgium, Brussels)
• Milz Chocolat SRL (Dominican Republic)
• Mirzam Chocolate Makers (UAE, Dubai)
• Mission Chocolate (Brazil, São Paulo)
• Monsoon Chocolate (USA, Arizona, Tucson)
• MOUNT PLEASANT FARM CHOCOLATIERS (Jamaica)
• Musée du Chocolat Théobroma (Japan)
• NearyNogs Chocolate Makers (Northern Ireland)
• NKWA Chocolate (USA, Florida, Tampa)
• NW Cosmetics LLC (USA, Washington, Redmond)
• Öko-Caribe, S.R.L. (Dominican Republic)
• OMG! Olive Oils (USA, Washington)
• One One Cacao (Jamaica, Kingston)
• Orinoco Chocolate Co. (USA, Arizona, Prescott)
• Palato Chocolate (USA, Miami)
• Polar Beverages (USA)
• PNW Marketing and Travel (USA, Washington)
• Pump Street Chocolate & Bakery (UK, Suffolk)
• Pure Chocolate Jamaica (Jamaica)
• Qantu Chocolate (Canada, Montreal)
• RICO chocolate (Taiwan)
• ROYCE’ Chocolate (Japan/USA, Washington)
• R’Sential Candles (USA, Washington)
• Selberg’s Sweets (USA, Washington)
• Semilla Escuela de Cacao y Chocolate (Nicaragua, Managua)
• Siamaya Chocolate (Thailand, Chiang Mai)
• Smith Brothers Farms (USA, Washington)
• Soma Chocolate (Canada, Ontario)
• Somos Cacao (Colombia, Bogotá)
• Spinnaker Chocolate (USA, Washington, Seattle)
• Talo Love (USA, Washington, Vashon Island)
• Texier Chocolate (Mexico, Oaxaca)
• Thai Craft Chocolate Festival (Thailand, Bangkok)
• Tan Bun Skrati N.V. (Suriname)
• The Organic House & Mabco Cacao (Canada, Ontario)
• Tri-Island Chocolate (Grenada)
• Truffly Made (USA, Florida)
• Utah State University, Aggie Chocolate Factory (USA, Utah, Logan)
• Utopic Chocolate (Spain)
• Wyndham Destinations (USA, Washington)
• Yeti Chocolates (USA, Washington)

Plus these amazing vendors:

• AL MAKTOUM GOODS (USA, Washington)
• Angelic Imports – Goufrais USA
• Aroma Art (USA, Washington)
• Big Jalm (USA, Oregon)
• Bobs Freakin Nuts (USA, Washington)
• Caffe Fiorita (USA, Washington, Vashon Island)
• Camano Island Coffee Roasters (USA, Washington)
• Chocovision (USA, New York)
• Fairbank Engineering (USA, Alaska)
• Finfrock’s Fudge (USA, Washington, Seattle)
• Harley Exteriors (USA, Washington)
• Heavens to Betsy (USA, Washington)

Again, the thing we love most about this is that it unites a community of chocolate lovers

We’re obviously biased but we can’t get over the fact that we’ll be gathering of like-minded enthusiasts who share a passion for chocolate. We can’t wait for the warm, welcoming atmosphere where we’ll swap stories, exchange recommendations, and forge connections with fellow chocolate lovers. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newbie, the festival invites everyone to join in the fun (it is chocolate after all!)

The Northwest Chocolate Festival in Seattle is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of community, craftsmanship, and the sheer joy of chocolate (seriously, a room full of chocolate and chocolate people – how could you not be happy?) Whether you’re keen to taste, learn, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, this festival is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates the sweet side and even the dark side of chocolate. So gather your fellow chocolate lovers, and prepare for a weekend filled with indulgence… and chocolate…. obviously…

And if you can’t make it to this one – check out our article on upcoming craft chocolate festivals worldwide!

Hope to see you there (or somewhere else!) We’d love to hear what you get up to – and stay tuned for a full review in the coming weeks!

Where to next?

Well if you’re new, we recommend:

And if you’re curious, we recommend:

And if you’re still not so sure, check out what events or makers are in your area:

Talk Beans with us!

Got any questions? Feedback? Want to hi say? Reach out below – we’re always happy to chat!

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