2026 Schedule
Friday, March 6, 2026
- 6:30pm – 9pm: Chocolate Maker’s Wine Dinner – Historic Ashland Springs Hotel
Saturday, March 7, 2026
- 9am- 12:45pm: Chocolate Brunch– Ashland Hills Hotel – GET BRUNCH TICKETS
- 10am – 11am: NEW! Early Access Hour to Vendors Marketplace (taste chocolate, wine & beyond) at Ashland Hills Hotel
- 11am – 4pm: VENDORS MARKETPLACE – GET TICKETS
- Chocolate Product Competition – Blind Tasting by Expert Judges
- Family Activities
- THE CULINARY STAGE:
- 12:00pm – 12:30pm: The Chocolate Story: How to Start & Run a Successful Chocolate Shop by Melissa Berry of Missionary Chocolate: An inspiring look at what it takes to turn cacao, creativity, and community into a thriving chocolate business. Learn from one of the most successful chocolatiers in Oregon.
- 12:45pm – 1:15pm: Chocolate 101: Taste Your Way Through the Evolution of Chocolate by Zack Gallinger-Long, host of The Chocolate Pod: In this guided tasting explore how chocolate has transformed over time—from classic confections to today’s craft chocolate movement.
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1:30pm – 2:00pm: Designing Chocolate: The Science & Art of Blending Cacao Origins by Desiree Marca, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker: Learn how cacao from different regions is blended to create complex, beautifully balanced chocolate. Plus, a guided tasting of two single-origin chocolates and one blended chocolate.
- 2:15pm: Q&A With 2025 Festival Judges
- 3:00pm: Chocolate Product Competition Awards Ceremony
- 4pm – 6pm: NEW Chocolate Happy Hour – Stardust Lounge, Ashland Hills Hotel
- 9:30pm: NEW! After Hours Mixology Affair | Cocoa & Cocktails – LARKS Restaurant – GET MIXOLOGY TICKETS
Sunday, March 8, 2026
- 9am- 12:45pm: Chocolate Brunch– Ashland Hills Hotel – GET BRUNCH TICKETS
- 10am – 11am: NEW! Early Access Hour to Vendors Marketplace (taste chocolate, wine & beyond) at Ashland Hills Hotel
- 11am – 4pm: VENDORS MARKETPLACE – GET TICKETS
- Family Activities
- THE CULINARY STAGE:
- 12:00pm – 12:30pm: Live Chef Demonstration by Joe Reid, Executive Chef of Hudson’s Bar & Grill: Experience a dynamic, chef-led demonstration showcasing Pacific Northwest flavors and culinary techniques from one of the region’s most celebrated kitchens.
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12:45pm – 1:15pm: Chocolate & Wine Pairing by Faith Lemire-Baeten of Latitude Wine Tours: Discover how fine chocolate and thoughtfully chosen wines elevate one another through guided tastings and expert insight.
- 1:30pm – 2:15pm: Finding Flavor: A Hands-On Chocolate Trivia Experience by Jewel of Lerato Luxe Artisan Chocolates: Put your palate and chocolate knowledge to the test in this interactive, flavor-forward experience. Plus, win decadent chocolate prizes.
- 2:30pm: People’s Choice & Best in Show Awards Ceremony
- 2:45pm – 3:30pm: Women in Chocolate: Podcast Panel Interview by Darlene Gallinger-Long, co-host of The Chocolate Pod: In recognition of International Women’s Day, this panel features three leaders in craft chocolate sharing their journeys, insights, and the future of cacao through candid conversation and real-world experience.