The First Australian Chocolate Festival: A Success
On July 7th, which is also World Chocolate Day, history was made with the first-ever Australian Chocolate Festival in Melbourne. Naturally, Chocolat Philippe had to be there. The event, exclusively featuring chocolate makers and cacao growers, boasted 20 chocolate makers and four cacao bean growers and distributors, making it a paradise for chocolate enthusiasts.
The anticipation was real, with public tickets selling out before the event even began. Our journey began on Friday as we packed everything into our car and set off for Melbourne, stopping overnight in Albury. By Saturday afternoon, we arrived in Melbourne and checked into our accommodation. That late afternoon, we headed to the historic Abbotsford Convent, the festival venue, to set up our stall. What an energy and buzz was going through that room. Chocolate makers from across the country and the pond setting up their stalls together. From Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and even New Zealand, everyone was excited to be there. It was the first time such a large group of chocolate artisans gathered in Australia, and the camaraderie was heartwarming. I reconnected with familiar faces and met many new ones.
Sunday, the day of the festival, finally arrived. The doors opened at 10 am, and from the get-go, the convent was filled with chocolate lovers from all over Australia. Our stall saw a constant stream of visitors, and we were thrilled to sell out several of the bars we had brought, including some specialty bars that will make a comeback in our selection soon. But our Luxury Gift boxes were the real star.
The festival was a resounding success, with everyone amazed by the incredible turnout. After packing up, we celebrated with a drink before heading back to Sydney the next day. This festival marked my first time having a stall at such an event, and though the weeks leading up were filled with stress and anxiety, the whole experience exceeded my expectations.
The highlight for me was the appreciation and praise from fellow chocolate makers for our sleek packaging and the quality of our chocolate. I am deeply grateful to have been part of this adventure and look forward to the next edition of the festival. Who knows, maybe next time we'll be hosting it in Sydney?
