Chocolate Workshops, Talks, and Tasting at the Ecotrust Building.

9:00 a.m. Ecotrust Terrace

Chocolate and Tea Tasting Featuring Oolong, Puh Erh, and Yerba Matte Teas. Specially paired with morning raw chocolate delights, savory chocolate, and distinct origin chocolates. This will be morning conversation time and tasting.

10:00 a.m. Healthy Living with Chocolate

Join Nutritionist Dani Little and Lifestyle Educator Robert Cisneros as they answer questions about the health of chocolate and living a healthy lifestyle with chocolate. There will be a tasting of health giving chocolate to go with this talk. Tea included.

10:00 a.m. Spirit of Chocolate: Mayan Chocolate Ceremony with Mark Sciscenti.

Chocolate Historian and Educator, Mark Sciscenti will guide us through a meditative and ceremonial drinking chocolate experience. Come and get a taste of the roots of chocolate.

12:00 p.m. Steve DeVries, the art of Antique Methods in Chocolate Making.

Join internationally acclaimed chocolate maker Steve DeVries for an engaging look and taste of the slower side of chocolate making. The taste of pure hand-crafted chocolate is well worth the extra patience, come and see why!

12:00 p.m. European & American Recipes & Culture of Drinking Chocolate (now and then).

Don't just learn about the traditional European drinking chocolate recipes and early colonial American versions of drinking chocolate - Taste them! - with this informative and delectably drinkable workshop. Join Chocolate Educator and Chocolate Historian, Mark Sciscenti from Santa Fe, NM, Kakawa Chocolate.

1:00 p.m. Mott Green, Bean to Cup Drinking Chocolate Demonstration.

Join the founder of Granada Chocolate, Mott Green for a great demonstration of crushing Cacao Beans and making traditional drinking chocolate that dates to ancient times and is still used in South America. This will be a great culture of chocolate talk and taste.

1:00 p.m. The Hidden Wisdom of Chocolate

Join passionate chocolate-lovers, and nationally renowned spiritual teachers, Matt Kahn & Julie Dittmar, for a peaceful exploration into the deeper wisdom of chocolate. Come discover how chocolate offers every insight one ever needs to be happy and at one with the sweetness of life.

2:00 p.m. Ecotrust Conference Center

Chocolate is a SlowFood, special presentation featuring NWCF Director Brian Cisneros and guest speakers. Join us for this look and taste at how our sense of joy in foods can be translated into greater good in the world and connections with farmers, families, traditions, and quality in our essential and nourishing foods.

3:00 p.m. Ecotrust Conference Center

Special Panel Discussion and Origins Tasting focused on Farmers and the Chocolate Trade. There will be panelists from a range of background including academic experts, industry experts and leaders, and master chocolate makers. This panel will present, review, and discuss the current state of chocolate trade and regulations. Accompanied by a special Origins Chocolate Taste and followed by a savory table on the Terrace after the session. Panel Moderator Dr. Kristy Leissle, Ph.D. Chocolate Agriculture/Trade.

Panel Members include:

Brian Cisneros, executive director of the Northwest Chocolate Festival.

Joe Whinney, founder and bean source expert for Theo Chocolate.

Divine Chocolate Representative Dana Emanuel

Sustainable Harvest International Representatives

Steve Devries, master chocolate maker

Jim Feldman, Equal Exchange