Origin Stories & The Global Journey of Chocolate

• Cocoa Supply – Leila Carvajal Erker
  “It All Started with the Farm: A Generational Cacao Story Rooted in Ecuadorian Soil”
  Dive into Ecuador’s cacao heritage with Leila Carvajal Erker, whose family has cultivated fine flavor beans for generations. Learn how origin, soil, and post-harvest practices define the chocolate you love — and why understanding the source matters for every bar you buy.

• Eka Chocolate – Fanjainaina Fawbush
  “Madagascar: The Farmers, Land, & Flavors We Grow”
  A behind-the-beans look at Madagascar’s bright, fruit-forward cacao. This session connects the sensory experience of chocolate to the hands that grow it — showing how sustainable farming shapes both community and flavor.

• Opening Chocolate – Karla Schade
  “Before the Bar: The Plant Behind Your Chocolate”
  A sensory exploration into the origins of flavor — and how understanding the cacao plant itself unlocks a deeper appreciation for what’s inside each wrapper.

• Yojoa – Elmer Pineda
  “A Honduran Farmer’s Journey from Cacao to Award-Winning Chocolate”
  A powerful session on transformation — from farmer to chocolate maker. Pineda shares how Honduran producers are reclaiming value in the supply chain and crafting their own bars with pride and precision.

• Cacaitos – César Aguilar
  “From Farm to You: Taste Fine Cacao from Colombia”
  Taste your way through Colombian cacao and learn how post-harvest techniques bring out floral, nutty, and fruity profiles unique to each region.

Craft, Flavor & Creativity

• KESSHŌ Chocolate – Liang Wang
  “Serious Crafting for Casual Enjoyment”
  Explore how one maker blends precision and play in the bean-to-bar process. Liang Wang’s Asian-inspired approach proves that chocolate can be both deeply crafted and joyfully accessible.

• Lohcally Artisan Chocolate – Denise Steele
  “Edible Masterpieces: Creating Hand-Painted Art”
  Chocolate as canvas. This hands-on demonstration brings the artistry of chocolate bonbons to life, proving that the eyes taste first.

• 🐝 Mademoiselle Miel – Susan Brown
  “Food Wisdom and the Honey Bee”
  Dive into the intersection of honey and chocolate — connecting flavor to ecology and creativity.

• CocoaTown
  “You Can Make Chocolate at Home!”
  For every DIY dreamer — learn how home chocolate making works from bean to bar, complete with mini demos and approachable tips

• Beans to Barstool – David Nilsen
  “From Bean to Barstool and Back: Collaboration Between Chocolate, Beer & Spirits”
  Join David Nilsen for a deep dive into how craft brewing and bean-to-bar chocolate share flavor language, creativity, and community spirit

Chocolate with Purpose: Ethics, Wellness & Innovation

• Fusion Epicure – Bassman Paulus
  “A Better Bite: Stories & Chocolate Samples from an Award-Winning Snack Maker”
  Explore how thoughtful sourcing and innovative snacking can make chocolate both better for you and better for the planet.

• Dr. Carla Martin – The Institute for Cacao and Chocolate Research
  “What Makes Chocolate ‘Good’?”
  A must-see talk that blends academic insight with industry expertise — unpacking flavor, ethics, and quality in the modern chocolate landscape.

• Kim Galeaz – Galeaz Food & Nutrition Communications
  “Chocolate for Your Health and Happiness”
  Nutrition meets indulgence. Discover the science-backed reasons chocolate really can be part of a balanced, joyful lifestyle.

• London Coe – Peace on Fifth
  “Ya Got It All Wrong: Expanding Past Our Chocolate Nostalgia”
  A bold conversation about how cultural perceptions shape what we think “good chocolate” should be — and why the best bars tell new stories.

• Jacob Potter – Red Rock Chocolate
  “Melt Away Stress: A Chocolate Meditation”
  A mindful tasting experience designed to slow you down, engage the senses, and remind you that chocolate is as much a feeling as it is a flavor

• Clay Gordon – The Chocolate Life
  “Ask Me Anything!”
  A festival tradition — a casual, candid discussion with one of chocolate’s most connected voices. Perfect for anyone curious about the craft industry’s inner workings.

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Planning Your Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival Day

Here’s what you need to know to make your chocolate tasting journey smooth and satisfying:

• What: The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025
• Location: Rushville, Indiana, United States
• Dates: November 21 – 22, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM on Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday
• Website: midwestcraftchocolatefestival.com/