The Northwest Chocolate Festival 2026

This talk focuses on the educational work we carry out at Semilla Escuela de Cacao y Chocolate to train chocolatiers in cacao-producing countries.

We explore how education becomes a key tool to create added value at origin, by training a new generation of chocolatiers who not only master technique, but also deeply understand the origin, quality, and potential of the cacao they work with.

The experience includes a guided tasting of chocolates made by artisan chocolatiers who graduated from the school. Through these products, participants will discover how knowledge, practice, and access to tools can transform cacao into products with identity, quality, and market vision.

This session also gives visibility to those who are learning and dreaming of building their own chocolate projects, highlighting the importance of education in creating real opportunities within cacao-growing communities.

In addition, it emphasizes the importance of strengthening direct relationships between chocolatiers and producers, fostering more transparent, conscious, and sustainable connections within the cacao and chocolate value chain.