Alicia Boada, Stéphane Tréand and Donald Wressel return for Chocolate Demos

If you missed attending last year’s chocolate demonstrations, we’re really excited and happy to announce that all three renowned celebrity chefs are returning to present three different chocolate demonstrations this year — Alicia Boada of Cacao Barry, one of few individuals accredited as an executive pastry chef, culinary administrator and culinary educator by the AmericanCulinary Federation; Stéphane Tréand, MOF of The …

Mahalo to Big Island Honda — Community Supporter

Over the coming weeks we’ll be spotlighting a number of our sponsors. First up: Big Island Honda – Kona. The general manager, Korey Pulluaim, told us, “Kona is a small town and we all have to work together to make this a special place to live. We want to do our part in giving back to a community that supports …

Enjoy “Chocolate Around the World” at this Year’s Festival

What?!? The Big Island Chocolate Festival is just 60 days away? It feels like we were just sipping and bon bon-ing last week! This year, chefs will be inspired to decorate their booth and create unique, flavorful sweet and savory dishes based on the theme, “Chocolate Around the World.” Guests will have the chance to vote for their favorite sweet …

2018 BICF Beneficiaries Selected! Support them at this Year’s Festival 4/27 -28/18!

We’re excited to announce that five fortunate organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of the 7th Annual Chocolate Festival, each receiving a monetary donation to support their various efforts. Presented by the Kona Cacao Association, the Big Island Chocolate Festival (BICF) is a fundraiser that will feature 700+ guests experiencing 7 events over 2 days (April 27 – 28, 2018). …

2018 Big Island Chocolate Festival — Call for Beneficiaries

Presented by the Kona Cacao Association, the Big Island Chocolate Festival is a fundraiser that benefits local non-profits, preferably — but necessarily —associated with culinary education, cacao farming/education, local chocolate, farming or sustainability.  In 2017 we donated $17,500 to four non-profit organizations and we’re now accepting applications for 2018 beneficiaries. Click here for application details. Application deadline is January 12, 2018. …

Big Island Chocolate Festival Awards $17.5K to Four Local Beneficiaries

KONA, HAWAI‘I ISLAND—Proceeds totaling $17,500 from the 2017 Big Island Chocolate Festival (BICF) were awarded to four local organizations at the event’s recent volunteer appreciation celebration. Displaying their beneficiary checks with Kona Cacao Association President Farsheed Bonakdar (center) are from left: Ashley Pendergast of Waimea Country School’s Na Keiki Aloha ‘Aina program, Heidi Noche and Dana Mattos of Kona Dance …

Big Island Chocolate Festival Names 2017 Winners

Culinary entries from Maui and the Big Isle were tapped winners at last night’s Big Island Chocolate Festival gala. A sold-out crowd of 600 attendees sprawled inside and out of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel for the sixth annual fundraiser to benefit four island non-profits. The event theme “Worth Its Weight in Gold-The History of Chocolate” was depicted at culinary …

2017 Big Island Chocolate Festival is this Weekend!

Whether you have a sweet tooth or love savory flavors (or both!), you’ll find a new favorite taste sensation at this Saturday’s Big Island Chocolate Festival gala. Tickets are still available but going fast so don’t wake up Sunday morning regretting that you missed the gala event of the season!  The event is in the ballroom and outside courtyard at the …

2017 “Best Hawai’i Cacao” Competition Open to Hawai’i Island Cacao Farmers

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE APRIL 29 BIG ISLAND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Hawai’i Island cacao farmers who want to raise the profile of their unique beans should enter our “Best Hawai’I Cacao” contest at this year’s Big Island Chocolate Festival. Beans will be judged on color, fissuring, aroma, flavor, astringency, and bitterness. Farmers must send at least one pound of un-roasted …

Just Added: Cacao Farming Seminars, Chocolate-Making Demos and a Cacao Farm Tour!

The Big Island Chocolate Festival gala is from 5pm – 9pm on Saturday, April 29th (mmmm….chocolate….) but did you know that the festival is actually a two-day event? On Friday, April 28th you can enjoy a unique walking tour on the slopes of scenic Hualalai mountain, a few miles south of Kona town. The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, which sits on a spacious …