Seminars
Along with 24 chocolate vendors, we are also happy to offer a number of chocolate activities throughout the day.
Attend a Meet & Greet with some of the chocolate makers at the show, enjoy a curated chocolate tasting or take part in a discussion of cacao, ecology and sustainability.
10:00 am - 10:30 am MEET & GREET with CHOCOLATE MAKERS
Want to know about the life of a craft chocolate maker? Get a chance to have a chat with some of the chocolate makers about their craft and be treated to some of their chocolate.
A free event with attendance limited to 40 guests based on a first come, first serve basis.
10:45 am - 11:30 am A CURATED CHOCOLATE TASTING
Curious about craft chocolate? Want to taste the different flavours of single origin bean to bar chocolate? Hosted and sponsored by Joanne Mutter, owner of JoJo you will learn the steps of tasting chocolate and sample single origin dark chocolate. Come taste the different flavours of the cocoa bean based on origin and the skill of craft chocolate makers!
A free event with attendance limited to 30 guests on a first come, first served basis.
11:45 pm -12:30 pm CHOCOLATE & CHEESE PAIRING
Love chocolate? Love cheese? Ever tried them together???
If you're curious, join cheesemonger Kyle Weaver and Lisabeth, Chocolate Maker and Founder of Finnia Chocolate as they present and share 3 pairings of Finnia Chocolate and selected artisan cheeses. The combinations are a flavour and texture experience!
Tickets for this event are $15.00 and can be purchased under "Extras" on this site. These tickets are only available to those who have purchased a general admission ticket to the show. General Admission tickets are available under TICKETS on this site. You must have a ticket to the Ottawa Chocolate Show and a Chocolate and Cheese Pairing ticket to attend this event.
This event is limited to 30 guests.
12:45 pm - 1:30 pm THE STORY AND SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY OF JAGUAR CHOCOLATE: from forest garden to chocolate food and drink.
Hosted by Dr. Michael Sacco - Chocosol Traders
Master's of Environmental Studies (York University, 2003); Doctoral Apprenticeship (Universidad de la Terra, 2003-2006); PhD Indigenous Studies (Trent University, completed 2022)
About Michael: Michael Sacco is the Founder and Director of Chocosol Traders. ChocSol is a learning community and social enterprise that focuses on ecological regeneration and spiritual ecology through the delicious healthy vehicles of chocolate, coffee and tortillas. With his team, he makes chocolate in the "food of the gods" tradition using only whole food ingredients sourced ecologically and ethically, and using only stone grinding tools for low periods of time, milled at low heat, low sheer to maximize the benefits of cacao chocolate. His chocolate has won many awards locally and internationally.
Michael works with farmers directly in supporting ecological forest gardening in Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Key projects include: working to preserve the rare species of white cacao (ChocoSol's Jaguar Chocolate products) in the Chinantla; supporting a private reserve bird sanctuary in the Dominican Republic that is also tied to a carbon crediting system; and supporting seedling giveaways as thank-you's from ChocoSol to its may Indigenous partners of the jungle of Mexico. ChocSol is proud to do many of its local deliveries by bicycle, and uses packaging that is compostable and sustainably-sourced.
ChocoSol is a cradle-to-cradle approach, beginning in the forest gardens, extending to farmers' markets, and finishing with the ChocoSoil urban agriculture green roof project at 1131 St. Clair Avenue West In Toronto. In addition to running his business, Michael recently completed his PhD in Indigenous Studies at Trent University.
A free event with attendance limited to 40 guests on a first come, first served basis.
1:45 pm - 2:30 pm CHOCOLATE'S JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
This seminar is hosted by Amanda Klarer and sponsored by Desbarres Chocolate.
Amanda is a resilient food system specialist who believes food has the power to change our common future and she is driven to be part of helping it create a healthier tomorrow. She will take you on a journey through time to the present day to see how the taste of chocolate has evolved and how to appreciate its complex flavours and terroirs.
A free event with attendance limited to 40 guest based on a first come, first serve basis.
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm MEET & GREET with CHOCOLATIERS
Want to know about the life of a chocolatier? Get a chance to have a chat with some of the chocolatiers at the show, learn about their craft and be treated to some of their chocolate.
A free event with attendance limited to 40 guest based on a first come, first serve basis.
3:30 pm - 4:15pm TBC