The Grenada Chocolate Festival – a sweet taste of the Caribbean

The Grenada Chocolate Festival is a must for all chocolate lovers and foodies and has become an annual event every May in the Caribbean. Festival founder and organiser Magdalena Fielden tells us how she founded the Grenada Chocolate Festival

It showcases the taste of the chocolate created on this Caribbean island with chocolate food and cocktails, visits to the chocolate factory and even chocolate yoga and fashion.

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Grenada has a unique chocolate story to tell which I knew could be turned into an interesting and delicious experience. The more I thought about it the more I realised that we had never really worked collectively to promote Grenada’s cocoa history, traditions and the fantastic award winning chocolate that is produced right here on the island.

It was in 2013 that we started to talk about running a chocolate week at True Blue Bay. We had noticed that there was a growing interest in chocolate and workshops to learn how to make chocolate. I wanted to do more than just show people how to make chocolates and so the Grenada Chocolate Festival was born.

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The Grenada Chocolate Company

As my inspiration I looked to the charismatic Mott Green who founded the The Grenada Chocolate Company. It was back in 1999 that Mott helped to organise small-scale local cocoa farmers and workers into a co-operative to produce delicious organic chocolate in a sustainable manner.

I was fascinated by Mott Green and admired his efforts to create chocolate ethically and how he involved the local community. And of course I loved the taste of the chocolate.

Over the years we promoted The Grenada Chocolate Company to our guests, encouraging them to visit the chocolate factory and visit the Belmont Cocoa Plantation to see how cocoa is processed before being turned into chocolate. But it was all very informal with no set itinerary or programme.

So I set about creating a dedicated chocolate event that would be truly Grenadian, involve as many local artisans and growers as possible and introduce people to different attractions and experiences.

Chocolate making

And so the Chocolate Fest was born. We decided to use chocolate as a loose theme and created a programme that covers everything from art and beauty to fashion and food and encourages people to explore Grenada away from the beaches.

After a trial event in August 2014, we refined and expanded the programme to create the first proper Chocolate Fest that has now become an annual event.

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Learning about chocolate

Our programme includes experiences such as the Cocoa Chocolate Hash – a hike through a cocoa plantation. There’s also a the chance to be a farmer for a day at the Crayfish Bay Organic Farm. We learn how to pick the cocoa pods, harvest the beans and prepare them for processing.

We’ve partnered with a local school to take a field trip with some of the children. We learn about the history of cocoa and how the island’s future depends on having a sustainable farming community. There’s also a fundraising dinner with proceeds being used to build a playground at the Vendome RC School.

Chocolate yoga

Contrary to popular belief chocolate does not have to be unhealthy. So we are dedicating a day to exploring its health benefits.

The day starts with a yoga session at True Blue Bay’s Sankalpa studio. It begins with meditation to appreciate the texture, smell and taste of chocolate. The session also includes tasting the local cocoa tea. Then there are hands on workshops about the health benefits of chocolate.

Chocolate beauty

We will demonstrate how chocolate is also a great beauty aid at a mini spa bazaar featuring local organic beauty products. We even offer chocolate themed treatments at True Blue Bay’s Blue Haven Spa.

Chocolate as an art medium

Cocoa also inspires local artists so we include a visit to the Art and Soul Gallery, owned by local artist Susan Mains, for the opening of the Cocoa Art Exhibition that features paintings, sculpture and batiks.

On another day we are inviting local artisans to display their wares at an arts and crafts bazaar featuring crafts, jewellery, art and chocolate.

Fashion show

My daughter, Marie will even be organising a fashion show featuring Grenadian inspired fashion created from batiks and soft tropical fabrics.

The best part – tasting!

Of course we haven’t forgotten about chocolate’s greatest attraction – its taste. And there are ample opportunities to sample our delicious local chocolate. Enjoy a chocolate breakfast and preparing a chocolate inspired lunch under the guidance of our entertaining cooks, Esther and Omega. Participate in chocolate themed dinners and parties.

Chocolate cocktails

We will even offer tastings of chocolate inspired cocktails, chocolate beer brewed at our on site microbrewery, and local chocolate rums. And what better souvenir to take home than a bar of chocolate you have made under the expert guidance of the team at the Diamond Estate Chocolate Factory?

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Learning will be made fun with a family fun day at the Belmont Estate. Children can take part in activities such as dancing, walking and scooping the cocoa.

What more could you ask for from a holiday than combining chocolate with great weather, the warmest of welcomes and the chance to kick back and relax on a beautiful island?

If you’d like to visit the Grenada Chocolate Festival

The Chocolate Fest is an annual event each May.

Thanks for this article to Magdalena Fielden, organiser of The Grenada Chocolate Fest. It offers a unique visitor experience with their pure and delicious Grenadian organic and sustainable cocoa and chocolate.

All Photos by the Grenada Chocolate Festival

For more chocolate goodness:

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This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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