This year, the Salon du Chocolat will focus on French sweet gastronomy with some of the country’s top international names in chocolate already confirmed, along with representatives from cocoa-producing countries and a dedicated space for Japan’s confectioners.
During the five days in October, organisers said they expect 500 participants, including French and foreign chocolatiers, shop buyers, equipment suppliers, cover makers and cocoa bean suppliers. The event attracts over 100,000 visitors over the long weekend in Paris.
From its very beginnings, this festival of chocolate has honoured the French art of pastry-making, and the Mondial du Chocolat & du Cacao et de la Patisserie is a showcase for expertise, and the 2023 edition will feature two new areas to celebrate a gourmet tradition, served up by iconic creations and signature regional recipes.
“For almost three decades, the Salon du Chocolat Paris has made the French capital the meeting place for all those involved in the cocoa industry. Every year, enthusiasts and professionals come together to celebrate the savoir-faire and innovations that go into making this universal delicacy,” a spokesperson said.
Espace Japon
After an absence of two years, Japan’s master chocolatiers will be back in Paris to showcase and sample the full extent of their creativity. Built around a demonstration stage, the Espace Japon will introduce visitors to Japanese mastery by immersing them in the world of sweet gastronomy. Other gourmet nations, such as New Zealand, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Brazil and Peru, will give to taste their mastery of chocolate.
While the Salon du Chocolat tends to remain a meeting place for the public, the organisers said they are keener than ever to develop the B2B village as a meeting place for professionals from all over the world, by encouraging exchanges and discussions between all the players in the cocoa sector.
With 20,000m² of exhibition space at the Pavilion 5 at Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in the south of the city, the Salon du Chocolat is one of the world’s largest chocolate events with a reputation not only as a trade event but a rich programming agenda focussing on the main industry issues, attracting more than 1,200 journalists and media decision-makers from around the globe.
- Salon du Chocolat de Paris, Pavilion 5 at Porte de Versailles from 28 October to 1 November 2023.