Experience New Sessions at the Sip & Share Seminar Stage

This year, the Sip & Share Seminar Stage returns with an entirely new lineup of sessions celebrating the craft, culture, and community behind chocolate and coffee. From exploring the origins of cacao to understanding how these industries sustain global communities, our experts bring fresh insights and inspiring stories to the stage. Plus, for the first time ever, we’re introducing Chocolate & Coffee Festival Trivia — a fun, interactive way to test your knowledge and win sweet prizes. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or simply passionate about flavor, you’ll find something new to learn and experience throughout the weekend.

Saturday

10:30AM - What You Didn’t Know About Chocolate: The Cool Hidden Facts & Stories Behind Your Favorite Food

by Estelle Tracy (37 Chocolates)

12:00PM - Don't Yum My Yuck!

by Estelle Tracy (37 Chocolates)

1:30PM - Growing Up Cacao: Born into an Ecuadorian Cacoa Family

by Leila Carvajal Erker (Cocoa Supply)

3:00PM - Chocolate Gatherings: Your Guide to Hosting Tasting Parties

by Estelle Tracy (37 Chocolates)

4:00PM - Chocolate and Coffee Trivia

Sunday

11:00AM - Growing Up Cacao: Born into an Ecuadorian Cacoa Family

by Leila Carvajal Erker (Cocoa Supply)

12:00PM - Coffee, Culture & Connection: A Journey into Guatemala’s Heart 

by Colin Dempsey (Cultura Spirit)

1:00PM - Argencove Chocolate – Developing a Fine Chocolate Brand At Origin in Nicaragua

by Sally McFadyen (Argencove Chocolate)

2:00PM - Sip, Savor, Support: How Chocolate & Coffee Sustain Communities

by Ricardo Trillos (The Choconnector)

3:00PM - Chocolate and Coffee Trivia

Learn More About Each Session

What You Didn’t Know About Chocolate: The Cool Hidden Facts & Stories Behind Your Favorite Food

Saturday at 10:30am

Join chocolate sommelier Estelle Tracy for an exploration of the history, geography, science, culture, and industry of chocolate. Peppered with engaging stories, the presentation will give you a deeper appreciation of chocolate and a collection of fun facts to impress your friends.

Don't Yum My Yuck!

Saturday at 12:00pm

In this presentation, you'll join Estelle Tracy, a chocolate sommelier, as she delves into the fascinating world of taste. You'll gain insights into the reasons why your "yum" can be someone else's "yuck." After a brief overview of the basic tastes, you’ll discover how smells, sights, and sounds impact our perception of taste. You’ll also explore the relationship between storytelling and taste, as well as between smells and memory.

Growing Up Cacao: Born into an Ecuadorian Cocoa Family

Saturday at 1:30pm AND Sunday 11:00am

Join Leila for an inspiring session tracing her family’s cacao legacy from a farm in 1880s Ecuador to the creation of CocoaSupply. Through stories, photos, and cultural insights, she’ll share how generations turned challenges like crop disease and hardship into innovation, offering a window into Ecuador’s cacao history and the importance of ethical, sustainable practices—perfect for anyone interested in chocolate, family legacies, or the roots of the bean-to-bar movement.

Chocolate Gatherings: Your Guide to Hosting Tasting Parties

Saturday at 3:00pm

Hosting a chocolate tasting is a fun and unique way to gather friends and family this holiday season. In this workshop, Estelle Tracy of 37 Chocolates will share simple steps and tips for selecting bars, setting up, and guiding memorable tastings that bring people closer together. Planning a grown-up gathering? You’ll learn wine & chocolate basics too. Participants will leave ready to create their own sweet celebrations at home.

Coffee, Culture & Connection: A Journey into Guatemala’s Heart

Sunday at 12:00pm

Learn more about Cultura Spirit’s Coffee Origin Retreats to Antigua, Guatemala — They have created immersive 7-day experiences that blend world-class coffee, vibrant traditions, and unforgettable adventures. From hands-on farm visits and cacao rituals to salsa dancing, volcano hikes, and Mayan wonders, this retreat is designed to connect you deeply with the land, the people, and the stories behind every cup. With intimate group sizes and ethical partnerships, you’ll savor exceptional coffee while supporting the communities that make it possible.

Developing a Fine Chocolate Brand At Origin in Nicaragua

Sunday at 1:00pm

Argencove is a farm-to-table cacao and fine chocolate company based in Nicaragua, founded by a group of Australians passionate about great food and flavor. With a focus on cacao farm design, genetic selection, fermentation, and precise roasting, they’ve crafted over 13 award-winning bars and earned more than 100 international honors in just six years. Guided by their backgrounds in science, agriculture, and culinary curiosity, Argencove continues to redefine what it means to Taste Real Chocolate.

Sip, Savor, Support: How Chocolate & Coffee Sustain Communities

Sunday at 2:00pm

Love chocolate? Can’t live without coffee? This session shows how your favorite treats do more than delight your taste buds—they can actually change lives. Join Ricardo of The Choconnector for an eye-opening talk and guided tasting that reveals the flavor differences between mass-market and craft products. Along the way, you’ll discover how every sip and bite supports farmers, protects the planet, and empowers local businesses. Come curious, taste the difference, and never look at your daily cup or favorite chocolate the same way again.

All Sip & Share seminars are included with your festival ticket and seating is first come, first served, so be sure to arrive early to grab a spot. Check out the interactive floor plan to start planning your experience — and don’t forget to get your tickets today to experience this year’s all-new lineup of chocolate and coffee programming!