If chocolate is your go-to treat, you’ll want to be in Wellington in June.
Chocstock, the “chocolate festival for grown-ups”, is coming back to the capital after selling out in 2021. Over 25 craft-chocolate makers from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands will set up shop at Welly’s Harbourside Centre from the 21 - 23 of June.
Besides being able to treat yourself to the best of NZ’s choccy scene, there will also be a brownie bake-off, beer and chocolate pairings, and meet and greets with the chefs.
Festival co-founder Luke Owen Smith said Aotearoa has seen a huge increase in chocolate makers over the last three years, meaning there’ll be creations you can’t even imagine at the event.
“Three years ago, there were around ten local makers in New Zealand, and now there are almost 30,” he said. “People can’t get enough of craft chocolate; it’s incredible to watch.”
“We’re excited to bring these creative, innovative and adventurous makers to the capital so foodies and the taste-adventurous can explore the magic of bean-to-bar chocolate.
“While the craft chocolate movement is growing all the time, many chocolate lovers are yet to be introduced to this exciting new world - we’re hoping Chocstock will help spark fresh curiosity about craft chocolate and what’s possible from speciality cocoa beans.”
Kiwi chef and 2024 Chocstock ambassador Peter Gordon says NZ’s chocolate scene is underrated and full of makers who are always experimenting and coming up with tasty designs. He hopes the festival can finally make New Zealanders realise just how good chocolate can be.
“These makers are bringing something new to the table - allowing people to understand where their chocolate comes from,” he said.
“As someone who can remember Woodstock and how that changed perceptions, getting to be part of Chocstock and helping tell this story drew me in straight away.”
Tickets to the festival are on sale now and my mouth is already watering.
