Virtual global chocolate festival #StayHomeWithChocolate launched to help small businesses

Chocolate makers from around the world have come up with a novel way to overcome coronavirus restrictions by organizing a virtual global chocolate festival #StayHomeWithChocolate that runs until Saturday 28 March.

“Bean-to-bar chocolate is an industry of hundreds of small businesses, many of which are really struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bigger this festival becomes, the more people can learn about these smaller, high-quality brands and find bean-to-bar chocolate that they love!​” said Emily Stone from Uncommon Cacao and one of the event organizers.

Live tastings

“We will be presenting via Instagram Live, showing consumers everywhere behind-the-scenes access to their factories, leading people online through live tastings, offering education on the chocolate making process and the supply chain... it will be an amazing global event​.”

Others involved with Uncommon Cacao in the #StayHomeWithChocolate Festival include the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute (FCCI) and Emily Mantooth of the Craft Chocolate Experience.

Stone said the chocolate companies invited to participate in the #StayHomeWithChocolate Festival have all been hand-selected for their focus on quality and ethics. They prize craftsmanship and flavor excellence while sourcing ingredients in a transparent manner. Their top-notch products are available for purchase online, ready to comfort and inspire homebound consumers.

The #StayHomeWithChocolate Festival live streams are free, with consumers encouraged to purchase chocolate from small chocolate businesses to support them during this interruption in their in-person sales.

For information on the #StayHomeWithChocolate Festival, the list of participating companies, the livestream schedule, and more, visit: stayhomewithchocolate.com​

• Instagram: @stayhomewithchocolate​