Paris Chocolate Show Celebrates 25th Year

by Jane Rosenstein

The 25th Paris Show celebrated 25 years from October 30 to November 3, 2019, at Porte de Versailles Convention Center.  With over 150 chefs, 20 Cocoa producing countries, 230 exhibitors it was interesting and very tasty.  The best parts were  meeting the exhibitors, Madame France and tasting the delicious chocolates and chocolate pastries

When I arrived at the Opening Night Celebration I met Madame France, Abigail Lopez-Cruz. She told me that they have this title for married women. between the ages of 25 and 45. Abigail was born in Mexico in 1981 and lived in Texas; She won the title for being best in all categories during the competition

A  white chocolate and vanilla birthday cake for 25 years made by Philippe Conticin and his Paris staff was tempting for visitors to eat but it was on display.

A sculpture of a chocolate bear named White Bear created by Nicolas Bernardé was huge: 2m 50 in length, 1m 35 in height and 80 cm in width. It required at least  200 kg of white chocolate, The work was made possible from the help of Atelier Prométhéé and Muséés Nationaux et du Chateau de Versailles and Fabrice Juan interior designer who helped create this magnificent sculpture.

A rhinoceros in chocolate was sculpted at the opening night celebration by Valentin of Au Petit Prince.

Emmanuel Lecanu from Ferrières School of Pastries in France was proud that the school has won many awards for its pastry courses. the school offers courses in French which are consecutively translated into English in the production of deluxe pastry and bakery products.

Tom De Winne of Zoto told me that his Belgium chocolate won the silver medal in the 2018 World Chocolate contest.

This year there were three companies from the USA that had stands at the Chocolate Show.

Dylan from Manoa Chocolate in Hawaii told me that his chocolate comes from the Hilo and Kona regions of Hawaii and that Hawaii is the only state in THE  USA with a climate suitable for cultivating the cacao tree; The chocolate is sold in  Whole Foods and health food stores in the USA. Visitors to Manoa can learn about the production of chocolate by taking factory tours.

Marie Belle New York was there for the 1st year.  They displayed delicious chocolates.

Guittard Chocolate Company from San Francisco had a good display of their delicious chocolate. They have been there in previous years and were happy to be there this year.

The visitors feasted on great chocolate and bought lots to take home.

Jane Rosenstein

Jane Rosenstein is a U.S. citizen living in Paris, France. She is a professional translator/interpreter. She is the owner of The International Connection which does international marketing consultation including sales of wine, interpretation, and translation. She enjoys the cultural life that living in Paris offers and has talents in organizing events. She speaks English, French, and Spanish.

She has a B.S. degree in mathematics from University of Pittsburgh and an M.B.A. degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.