Do you believe that everyone should have access to great chocolate? We sure do! Thankfully, our friends at The DC Chocolate House agree, which is why they organized and hosted the first annual Chocolate Festival in the heart of the nation’s capitol.

Held at The Westin Hotel in Washington, D.C.’s swanky City Center, more than 300 chocolatiers and chocoholics alike attended the festival to taste test, learn about chocolate from different makers, and mingle amongst one another to talk all things sugar and spice.

 

The smell of cocoa powder permeated the air as more than 30 vendors set up shop at the sold out event to showcase their sweets and gain “best chocolate” bragging rights.

Co-sponsored by Varlhona, Amedei, and Michel Cluizel, the festival brought together some of the industry’s most talented and successful artists to support the world’s many cacao farmers and makers that transform cacao into one of the most popular sweets throughout the world: chocolate.

We were lucky enough to attend the festival as VIP press (check out some of our goodies below!) and were granted access to a few of the event’s chocolate-making classes and unlimited taste testing.

Our first stop was the Pacari Premium Organic Chocolate booth. The colorful packaging immediately caught our eye! (But trust us when we say this family owned business has much more to offer than just their beautifully bundled chocolate bars).

 

Founded in 2002 by Santiago Peralta and Carla Barbotó, Pacari has since changed the history of chocolate making in Ecuador. Pacari works with small scale family farms using carefully selected ingredients to create 100 percent natural Ecuadorian chocolate that provides customers with a one-of-a-kind chocolate experience. Pacari is the only chocolate company that has 100 percent production within Ecuador, and has the Demeter Biodynamic Certification, which certifies that the raw material production is free from, chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers. Check out full lists of their ingredients and products here.

As we continued to make our way around the festival, a unique and delicious twist on a classic treat demanded our attention. “Have you tried your first dream bite?” asked a sweet and pleasant voice from behind the counter. Considering we hadn’t, we decided to let Sandie Diamond, the owner of D.C.-based Shameless Chef (pictured below) satisfy our curiosity – and our tastebuds!

Shameless Chef was born in the winter of 2014 after Sandie experienced a routine surgery that took longer than expected to heal. During this time, she pulled out numerous old family recipes and began to bake for the first time. What she discovered changed her life. Not only was she a talented baker, but her creations were organic and guilt-free (hence the name “Shameless Chef). Two years later, Sandie’s famous Dreambites and PB cups (pictured below) are enjoyed by thousands, and can be found at multiple vendors across the nation’s capitol. To shop Shameless Chef, check out their online store here.

 

After indulging in the creamy, bittersweet peaunt butter cups, another colorful display caught our attention (we blame it on all of the gorgeous packaging…and the fact that we are obsessed with elephants.) Cacao Prieto is a Brooklyn-based chocolate maker and liquor distillery that boasts a cocktail bar, tastings, and weekend tours for a mere $20. Side note: How cute are these post cards that come with their chocolate bars?

 

The artisan distillery, founded by founded by Daniel Prieto Preston, an inventor and aerospace engineer whose family has deep roots in the Dominican Republic, produces fresh, bean-to-bar chocolate made daily from organic, single origin Dominican Cacao (and we should also mention they craft a line of small batch, cacao-based liqueurs and rums). If you ever find yourself in Brooklyn, give them a visit! If not, do not fear! You can still get your chocolate fix by ordering from more than a dozen products in their online shop here.

The next chocolatier we visited decided to display his creations sans the pretty packaging, but only because he didn’t need it – his truffles were gorgeous enough by themselves! (see photos below for proof). Steven Howard Confections LLC is a small, fairly new candy & confectionery store in Olney, Maryland.

Steven Howard also features other unique flavors such as Luscious Lavender, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Chai Tiger, and Cherry Bomb. Since they are such a new venture, fans of these sugar bon bons can’t order them online just yet, but you can often find them at the Olney Farmer’s Market on weekends! (Trust us, you will want to get your hands on these to experience the smooth, even balance between the burst of creamy chocolate and the sensational fruity flavors!)

 

Since we always try to save the best for last (though we must admit, it was impossible to choose which vender truly offered the “best” chocolates) we made sure to pay a visit to one of our favorite vendors: Harper Macaw.

One of the many reasons why Harper Macaw is among our favorite local businesses, isn’t because of their eye-catching, political-yet-peaceful packaging that envelops their silky smooth bars (though as political junkies, that is certainly an added bonus), or even that their roots were planted and sowed in the heart of the nation’s capitol by a Brazilian chocolate maker and a former U.S. Marine. To us, the most heart warming and inspirational aspect of Harper Macaw’s work, is their dedication to protecting and preserving the earth’s rainforest ecosystem.

In fact, every Harper Macaw product sold helps restore and protect deforested or vulnerable rainforest habitats in northeast Brazil. If you don’t live in or near the D.C. metro area, don’t fret. You can still support Harper Macaw in their conservation efforts by shopping in their online store here. (And we highly recommend buying one of every chocolate bar included in their “(Very) Political Collection” before they disappear! It’s also worth mentioning that customers earn free shipping on all orders over $50.

So, dear foodie friends and fellow choco-holics: did we adequately inform you of the amazing (and often extremely complex) world of cacao farming and chocolate-making? If so, dive in! Get your hands on as many rich and decadent fine chocolate products as you can (we recommended ordering them from our fine friends mentioned above of course).

When you do, make sure you tell them we sent you.

28 thoughts on “DC Chocolate Festival

  1. Charlotte says:

    Thank you for sharing this!

  2. Aleksandra says:

    Chocolate festivals are probably the best places to source nice dairy-free chocolate too!

  3. kage2015 says:

    What a fun and perfect way to spend a day.

  4. loveyoumoretoo says:

    WHHHHYY is this not in Dallas?! So amazing!! I would have gone crazy!!! Great recap. Must. Get. Chocolate. Now. 🙂

  5. Rae says:

    Oh my, what goes better with wine than great chocolate!? I would have spent a fortune! NEED something like this on the West Coast!

  6. I love chocolate, and chocolate festivals! We have some great artisan chocolates here in Portland, OR but I’d love to try some of the ones from DC that you mention here. Love some of the bright and creative packaging.

  7. Anna says:

    Ummm, a chocolate festival? Yes please! who can say no to these artisan goodies! They look and sound so good! XO

    Anna || A Lily Love Affair

  8. Sophia Reed says:

    Those chocolates looks interesting and creative.

  9. They need to have this festival in San Diego. YUM!

  10. Ok HOW did I miss this when I was living in DC?!?!?! This is like my heaven. For real.

  11. Alison says:

    This was amazing! I have always wanted to go to somewhere like this all in one place because I find chocolate work fascinating! I am totally putting the tour at Cacao Prieto on my list for going to someday!

  12. I wish we had chocolate festivals here is Strasbourg as well ! I have to admit I’m kinda jealous of you, hope you tasted as many as you could 😉

  13. emmyhaags says:

    first off i am obsessed with your blog!!! such amazing pictures and cute photos! Looks like a very fun day!!

    1. Karen Hopkins says:

      Thank you so much for the kind words! We love your support!

  14. SofarsoSabine says:

    Chocolate and fresh smell of it. My two favorites. I wish I could go to a chocolate festival! xo sabine
    http://www.sofarsosabine.com

  15. Bee says:

    Never been to a chocolate festival probably because I won’t leave if I went to one haha

  16. Jessica Ayun says:

    A festival I would love to come! I envy you! 🙂 A chocolate lover here. 🙂 Do they display organic chocolates?

  17. Oh wow this sounds amazing!! Wish they’d have do a Chocolate Festival near me, I’d go crazy! Those PB cups looks delish

  18. Tiina A says:

    That kind of event would be a heaven for me! Actuallu I’m trying to be without chocolate for 2,5 weeks – let’s see how it goes – today is the first day! So far so good.
    I love when they make beautiful pieces of chocolate. It shows that they are made with great love to chocolate.

  19. Kevin Wagar says:

    Those all look amazing! The colours and gorgeous shapes make eating them almost a shame!

  20. Wow that looks beautiful and delicious! You had me at chocolate festival.

  21. I know how paradaise looks now, everything seems to be super tasty! I would love to visit an event like that and I also agree that everyone should have access to great chocolate!

  22. Dreammerin says:

    I wish I could go to the chocolate festival. It looks so yummy! I don’t eat chocolate often but after reading this article – I am tempted!

  23. karlapitzen says:

    This is a festival I could be enthusiastic about!

  24. Oh my..where was I when this was going on. I mean I am not a chocolate lover, but I can surely appreciate it. And all of the peanut butter cups I can find and caramel chews. Yum Yum for me Tum Tum. Thanks a ton for sharing. Hopefully something like that comes to the Dallas area.

  25. Rodanthi says:

    Chocolate festival is like a dream place for me! I love, love chocolate. I would like to taste all those different products. Thank you for sharing this post!

  26. gracefulmist says:

    Oh my goodness. That festival would be food haven for me. I love chocolates. I often drink cocoa before sleeping. I think my stomach grumbled just by seeing the photos above. Thank you for sharing!

  27. Helen says:

    this looks like heaven to me! I enjoyed reading this post!

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