According to Executive Director of CIDAMi, Val Turtur, more cacao farmers have begun engaging in cacao processing and venturing into chocolate-making since the first festival held last year. The annual festival should be an avenue for cacao farmers and chocolate makers in the Davao Region to showcase their cocoa products and participation in CIDAMi’s goal of improving the value chain of the local cacao industry.
There was great variety among the Festival exhibitors, which included tablea and chocolate makers The Chocolate Bean, Coco Dolce, Tsokolate de San Isidro, Malagos Chocolates, Cacao de Davao, Fedco, Nutrarich Philippines, institutional users of chocolate such as Lara Mia, Gatchocolatto by Saging Repablik and other cocoa users such as Aromacology.
Photos of dessert maker, Lara Mia
Photos of Theo and Philo chocolate products distributor, Human Nature
Photos of institutional chocolate user and maker, Gatchocolatto
Photos of chocolate and tablea maker, FEDCO
Photos of tablea and chocolate maker, Cacao de Davao
Photos of chocolate artisan, The Chocolate Bean
Photos of tablea producer, Chokolate de San Isidro
Photos of cosmetics and wellness company, Aromacology
Photos of tablea and chocolate maker, Malagos Chocolates
Photos of chocolate maker, Coco Dolce (Free Food Co.)
The main highlights of this festival included the slicing of a giant ceremonial chocolate cake. SM Ecoland also conducted minor activities and contests to engage the festival goers such as guessing the correct and exact count of chocolate coins inside a tall glass container. The program included demonstrations and short business lectures on chocolate molding and baking with chefs chefs Jackie Ang Po and Rolando Laudico.
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