I hope your only rocky road is chocolate
THE world’s largest and most stylish celebration of chocolate is set to mark two decades of innovative trends in Paris from late October.
A vast space of 2,000 sq m will hold Salon du Chocolat which has has grown from one French couple’s love of our favourite sweet, to massive annual events worldwide attracting nearly 7 million fans.
Salon du Chocolat had humble beginnings in 1995. Two Parisian entrepreneurs, both passionate about food and particularly chocolate, fell in love. Sylvie Douce directed an event-planning agency and François Jeantet, an architecture firm. They decide to create a niche event dedicated to their yummiest treat.
Niche food shows didn’t exist in Paris back then. Chefs, pastry makers and chocolate makers and their expertise weren’t the rock stars they’ve become today. Few people believed in the project or wanted to support it. But Sylvie and François went ahead anyway. The first Salon du Chocolat opened its doors in 1995, in the Espace Eiffel Branly (today the Musée des Arts Premiers), with only 30 exhibitors.
20 years later here are the stats:
Salon du Chocolat
6.7 million visitors
29 cities worldwide
4 continents
9,000 participants
and exhibitors
Sylvie and François had set up a Salon du Chocolat in New York City in 1997, followed by Tokyo and other Japanese cities the following year. Progressively conquering the major cities of the world (Moscow, Beijing, Shanghai, Cairo, Salvador de Bahia, Lima, Seoul and Beirut), Europe (Zurich, Brussels, London, Milan and Monaco) and France (Marseille, Cannes, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille and Nantes).
The Salon du Chocolat then became “the Mondial du Chocolat et du Cacao.” Hailed by market amateurs and experts alike, it has today become a national and international label. More than just an event, Salon du Chocolat creates a bond between the people who grow cocoa and the consumers of chocolate. Today, given coverage and praise by international media, the event has become the not-to-be- missed event the world over for the public and food sector professionals.
Trends featuring at
Salon du Chocolat 2015
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The advent of the bean-to-bar movement supported by a growing number of committed chocolate makers, artisans are developing a more responsible industry. This year, the Salon du Chocolat will be welcoming international chocolate makers who embody this trend: Dari K (Japan), Willie’s Cacao (UK), Bahen & Co. (Australia), Oialla (Denmark), Marou (Vietnam), Chocolate Naive (Lithuania), Benoit Nihant (Belgium), Pacari (Ecuador), alongside French chocolate makers such as Stéphane Bonnat, François Pralus, Patrice Chapon and Chocolats Cluizel
- Non-melting chocolate: After several years of research, the Barry Callebaut group has found a chocolate recipe that resists heat without a change in taste. The giants of the sector, such as Nestlé, Cadbury, Mondelez and Mars, have also filed some patents
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White chocolate’s comeback: Or the sensational return of a trend evoking the sweet flavours of childhood, brought to you updated by chocolatiers and pastry makers. And French chocolate: Although Swiss and Belgian chocolates enjoy worldwide fame, French chocolate is now claiming its place and making a name for itself on the global scene
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Following in the footsteps of pioneer Rrraw, many are jumping on board the raw trend: chocolate made with unprocessed, simple and healthy ingredients. Many chocolate makers are now offering sugar-free, salt-free or gluten-free chocolate. Specialty products, such as Pâtisserie Eugène in Paris for diabetics (and anyone else who wants to try!), are opening the way for new approaches to desserts that are visually appealing, delectable and healthy too.
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What to see and do at
Salon du ChocolatDiscover and sample
chocolates that can’t be
found anywhere else!
Fashion shows
Culinary workshops
International Cocoa Awards
“Cocoa of Excellence”
Live chocolatey music
Book signings
Cooking demos
Recipe workshops
Chocolate trend tastings
2015 World Chocolate Masters comp
Pastry shows
Chocoland for children
Travel Tips for Salon du Chocolat 2015
Where?
VIPARIS, Porte de Versailles – Pavilion 5
When?
October 28-November 1 2015
10am-7pm
Preview evening: October 27 at 7pm (by invitation only)
How?
Parking: Porte de Versailles
Metro: Line 12 – Porte de Versailles station, Line 8 – Balard station
Bus: Line 80, Porte de Versailles station; Lines 39, 42, 169 – Balard station
Tram: Lines T2 & T3, Porte de Versailles stop
Car: Via the inner ring road: take the “Porte de la Plaine” or “Porte de Versailles” exits Via the outer ring road: take the “Porte de Sèvres” or “Porte de Versailles” exit
Who?
General public
Admission prices
Adults: €14 – Children under 12: €6.50 Children under 3: free
Tickets on sale at www.salon-du-chocolat.com
Fun fact:
The Swiss are the world’s
biggest consumers of chocolate
with the average person
eating 9kg a year
Cover image courtesy of TravMedia
