Chocolate has always been more than we ever thought it could be.

Workshops at the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025 That Go Beyond the Bar.

There’s a quiet revolution happening in the world of chocolate — one that’s less about sugar rushes and more about purpose, connection, and presence.

At the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025, a new wave of sessions explores what it means to make and enjoy chocolate mindfully — to consider not just flavor, but ethics, wellness, and impact. These are the conversations that shape the future of craft chocolate: where cacao meets care, and indulgence meets intention.

Whether you’re a longtime maker, a curious foodie, or simply someone who loves discovering meaning in what you eat, these workshops promise to change how you think about chocolate — from the inside out.

Quick Take & Why You Should Go:

If you’ve ever wondered how chocolate can be both a daily pleasure and a path to wellness, or how ethical sourcing connects to better flavor and fairer futures, this lineup is your must-see.

These are more than talks — they’re shared experiences in reflection, taste, and transformation. Think:

• Insights on cacao’s health benefits
• Strategies for mindful tasting

So check the schedule, mark your favorites, and get ready to experience chocolate right from your core.

Chocolate with Purpose: Ethics, Wellness & Innovation Workshops at the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival.

Get ready for a whole new perspective on chocolate and what it could be:

1. What Makes Chocolate ‘Good’?

Host: Dr. Carla Martin – Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute
When: Saturday, 22 November 2025 2.30PM

Why It’s Worth a Stop:

Dr. Carla Martin brings her signature clarity and insight to one of the most essential questions in the industry: What makes chocolate good? From ethics and equity to flavor and craft, she unpacks the value systems that define what “good” really means — for makers, farmers, and eaters alike.
Expect to walk away inspired, challenged, and ready to rethink your definition of “fine chocolate.”

2. Chocolate for Your Health and Happiness

Host: Kim Galeaz – Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
When: Saturday, 22 November 2025 10.30AM & 1.30PM

Why It’s Worth a Stop:

Kim Galeaz, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and culinary communicator with nearly 30 years of experience, brings her signature “blend and balance” philosophy to chocolate. In this upbeat, evidence-based session, she explores how chocolate can fit into a vibrant, healthy lifestyle — one that celebrates both nutrient-rich choices and indulgent joy.

Known for her engaging work on Fox 59 Morning News and My Indiana Home, Kim’s approach is all about making good health delicious. Expect to learn how chocolate supports heart health, mood, and mindfulness — and how balance, not restriction, is the sweetest ingredient of all.

3. Melt Away Stress: A Chocolate Meditation

Host: Jacob Potter, Red Rock Chocolate
When: Saturday, 22 November 2025 3.30PM

Why It’s Worth a Stop:

Slow down, breathe, and taste. This guided Chocolate Meditation with Jacob Potter is a sensory journey designed to ground you in the present moment.
Through mindful tasting, you’ll discover how to enjoy chocolate at another level — noticing its aroma, texture, and story.

This sessions will turs a simple bite into a full-body experience – how can you say no to that?

Photo courtesy of Red Rock Chocolate – Jacob Potter and Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival

4. Ya Got it all Wrong: Expanding Past Our Chocolate Nostalgia

Host: London Coe – Peace on Fifth
When: Saturday, 22 November 2025 2.30PM

Why It’s Worth a Stop:

How do we move beyond the candy-bar nostalgia of childhood chocolate? London Coe of Peace on Fifth invites attendees to explore chocolate through a new lens — one rooted in justice, intention, and evolution.
This talk dives into the emotional and ethical side of chocolate, asking us to taste with awareness and compassion.

5. A Better Bite

Host: Bassman Paulus – Fusion Epicure
When: Saturday, 22 November 2025 9.30AM

Why It’s Worth a Stop:

At Fusion Epicure, founder Bassman Paulus is on a mission to reintroduce the world’s superfoods in a whole new way. Tired of seeing the delicate flavor lost behind syrups and sugar, Bassman set out to craft snacks and confections that celebrate natural richness and nutrition.

In this session, he explores how ancient ingredients and modern craft collide to create a truly “better bite” — one that’s flavorful, health-conscious, and deeply connected to food’s cultural roots.

6. Chocolate Yoga

Host: Little Blue River Yoga with Shyla Sharp
When: Saturday, 22 November 2025 10:30AM (Pre-registration required (Free but limited to 25 spots))

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
Chocolate meets movement in this unique Chocolate Yoga session — a fusion of mindfulness, gentle flow, and sensory discovery.
Led by Shyla Sharp, this class invites you to slow down and savor chocolate as part of a grounding, embodied practice. (Yes, you’ll actually taste chocolate during yoga — and yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds.)

There are more details below – make sure you sign up when you purchase your Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival tickets through Eventbrite!

Photo courtesy of Little Blue River Yoga and the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival

7. Ask Me Anything!

Host: Clay Gordon, The Chocolate Life
When: Saturday, 22 November 2025 11.30AM

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
A true legend in the chocolate world, Clay Gordon of The Chocolate Life opens the floor for an interactive, ask-anything session.
From sourcing to sustainability, education to experimentation — no topic is off limits. It’s a rare chance to get direct insights from one of the leading voices shaping how we understand and talk about chocolate today.

Why These Sessions Matter

Together, these workshops remind us that chocolate is more than a flavor — it’s a force. It connects health, culture, and consciousness. It challenges the way we source, savor, and share. And it shows that true indulgence isn’t about excess, but about experience.

At the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025, these sessions invite you to slow down, listen, and taste differently — to discover how chocolate can nourish both body and mind.

Keep Exploring the Chocolate Series

If you loved this, don’t stop here — the story continues:

• From Bean to Bar to Story: The Workshops That Bring Chocolate to Life – Meet the farmers and makers redefining craft chocolate from Ecuador to Madagascar.
• Flavor, Craft & Creativity: Serious Fun for Serious Flavor – Discover the hands-on artistry behind chocolate making, from painting to tempering.
• The Chocolate Workshops You Can’t Miss at the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025 – A full overview of the lineup and how to plan your perfect festival weekend.

Photo courtesy of Beanstalkr

For More details:

1. See our headline article here: The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025: Small Batch, Big Flavor
2. And this article here details the full Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025 schedule – and check out their website for more details: Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival Schedule

So check the schedule!

Pick your sessions, secure your pass – let us know what you get up to!

Want More Like This?

Want more tasting guides like this? Check out our Midwest Craft Festival dedicated page and sign up as a chocolate eater for insider picks, single-origin deep dives, and chocolate reviews from every corner of the craft world. Thanks for traveling with us — see you on the festival floor.

Where to next?

If you’re off to the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival 2025, 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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