Meet the Experts of the Sip & Share Seminar Stage

The Sip & Share Seminar Stage is bringing together a vibrant lineup of coffee and chocolate experts—from award-winning roasters and cacao specialists to origin storytellers, sensory educators, and industry innovators. These passionate presenters are here to share the craft, culture, and communities behind every sip and every bite.

Join us for engaging sessions, tastings, and conversations that explore everything from flavor development and roasting techniques to ethical sourcing and origin stories. Meet the experts who are shaping the future of coffee & chocolate—one meaningful experience at a time.

Estelle Tracy is an award-winning food writer and chocolate sommelier based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Originally from France, she discovered the bean-to-bar movement in 2015 when she challenged herself to review 37 chocolate bars in honor of her 37th birthday that Halloween. Since then, she has shared her love for chocolate through hundreds of tastings worldwide. She’s the author of a food survival guide for French people in the US and the founder of 37 Chocolates, a chocolate education company. Find out more at 37chocolates.com

Leila Carvajal Erker was born and raised in Ecuador into a multi-generational cacao family, where her great-grandmother was a cacao farmer, and her father founded one of the country’s first cocoa processing factories. Now based in the U.S., she leads CocoaSupply, bridging heritage with innovation to support sustainable and ethical cacao sourcing. With a passion rooted in childhood memories and a global perspective, Leila shares the human side of cacao—from soil to soul.

Colin Dempsey is the Chief Experience Officer and Founder of Cultura Spirit, a brand dedicated to awakening the senses through coffee and cultural exploration. Inspired by his first journey to Nicaragua in 2008, he has spent nearly two decades building meaningful relationships across Central and South America. Cultura Spirit curates premium Guatemalan coffee directly from farming cooperatives and leads immersive Coffee Origin Retreats in Antigua, Guatemala—inviting travelers to walk the farms, meet producers, and connect with the sacred story behind every bean.

Sally McFayden is the Co-founder and Chocolate Maker at Argencove Chocolate, a fine artisan chocolate company crafting award-winning creations from farm to table. Located between the Mombacho Volcano and Lake Nicaragua, Argencove is guided by an agroforestry approach that nurtures both the land and the cacao trees. Sally and her team emphasize ecological balance, sustainability, and craftsmanship in every bar they create.

Ricardo Trillos is the owner of The Choconnector and co-founder of Cao Chocolates, bringing over 15 years of experience in the chocolate and food industries. As a chocolate sommelier and seasoned entrepreneur, he has worked with organizations like USAID and Partners of the Americas to support food businesses worldwide. Through The Choconnector, Ricardo helps entrepreneurs transform their passion into sustainable success with tailored coaching and consulting.

All seminars are first come, first served, and included with your ticket to the festival!

Click here to view the full seminar schedule

Click here to view the festival floor plan