Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i
Aloha Chocolate! The Big Island Chocolate Festival, May 8 – 9 at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i on the Kohala Coast, celebrates the island’s cacao industry with seminars, demonstrations, tastings, a student chef competition, chocolate dessert demonstrations, and more. Festival attendees can learn about the tree-to-treat process during the seminars and tour of a working cacao farm and chocolate soap factory.
Valrhona Chocolates | Photo by Shortini Photography
To set the festivities off in style, The Feeding Leaf, a leading event planner run by an executive chef and agricultural partner, is presenting a seven-course “Chocolate Soiree” at Kokoleka Lani Farms featuring sweet and savory dishes prepared by noted chefs including Stanton Ho, Clayton Arkawa, and Scott Hiraishi assisted by culinary students.
Fairmont Dessert | photo by Shortini Photography
You’ll also sample delectable chocolates from The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory. Seating is limited. Cost of $125 per person includes specialty cocktails and wine pairings. Click here for information and reservations,
Fairmont Savory | Photo by Shortini Photography
While the festival is designed to promote the Big Island’s cacao industry, it is an educational and tasty experience for cacao aficionados everywhere. “The Big Island Chocolate Festival offers everything from planting to plating,” says Kona Cacao Association President Farsheed Bonakdar. “It inspires our student and professional chefs while encouraging our island cacao farmers and chocolatiers.”
Hilton Waikoloa Village entry won People’s Choice Award | Photo by Shortini Photography
Saturday events include two “How To Make Your Own Decadent (but Simple) Chocolate Dessert Creation” demonstrations presented by celebrated chefs Derek Poirier of Valrhona Chocolate, USA and Stanton Ho; host of seminars; and tour of Kokoleka Lani Farms, a five acre working cacao/coffee farm and soap making factory in Keauhou Mauka to see how cacao is grown, cultivated, used for chocolate and how the spent roasted casings are made into its famous chocolate soap. Watch video.
Chef Donald Wressell preparing chocolate sculpture. | Photo by Shortini Photography.
A student chef competition, professionally-judged taste off, gala fundraiser and silent auction complete the two day festivities. festivities. Proceeds benefit the Kona Pacific PublicCharter School, “Equip the Kitchen” campaign and scholarship funds for the new Hawaii Community College-Palamanui.
The Fairmont Orchid is also offering a special room package for attendees. Call the Fairmont at 1.800. 257.7544 and ask for the “Big Island Chocolate Festival” package. http://www.fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii
Go to www.bigislandchocolatefestival.com for details and event registration.
