Paris prepares for the 24th edition of the Salon du Chocolat, which will be held from October 31 to November 4. With the slogan “All flavors are in nature”, its objective is to promote the fruit of cocoa in all its forms as a unique link between the populations in the south that produce it and those in the north that consume it. The intention is to become a showcase of all the initiatives around chocolate and cocoa in favor of the return to simplicity, tradition, and respect for a healthier lifestyle and a green awareness.

Attendees can taste a wide variety of chocolates from five continents, learn the latest product news from more than 200 companies around the world and see more than 100 renowned chefs, pastry chefs, young talents and chocolatiers who will produce recipes live, they will give advice and reveal professional tricks: Christelle Brua (Le Pre Catelan), Hironobu Tsujiguchi (Chocolat de H), François Josse & Gaël Reigner, Christophe Felder, Nicolas Paciello (Prince of Galles), Benoit Castel, Maxime Frédéric (Hôtel George V), among others.

In terms of competitions, the Salon du Chocolat will be the scene of a new edition of the World Chocolate Masters, one of the great international competitions of pastry, from October 31 to November 2. Organized by Cacao Barry and under the theme “Futropolis“, it will challenge the competitors to imagine what chocolate will be like in 2025. After the withdrawal of the Canadian candidate due to health problems, the final will be disputed among a total of 20 chefs representing 20 countries. The jury, made up of Frank Haasnoot (World Chocolate Masters 2011), Cédric Grolet (named best pastry chef in the world by World’s 50 Best) and Naomi Mizuno (World Chocolate Masters 2007), will reward new sensorial combinations, avant-garde pastry concepts, and visual languages that define the commercial orientation of tomorrow in terms of pastry and chocolate.

The World Chocolate Masters has an additional prestigious biennial championship: the Relais Desserts Charles Proust, which encourages young pastry chefs from around the world to show their artistic qualities. On the day of the competition, on Wednesday, October 31, contestants must create an artistic showpiece for the presentation of a gâteau. The theme will be the “Strip cartoon / Comic”.

As news, we highlight the space called “Elles”, devoted to women who are dedicated to the trade, and “Japonismes”, which will show the creativity of the talents of Japanese cuisine, since 2018 marks the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and France. Let’s not forget the activities that never fail such as the spectacular fashion show with dresses made of chocolate, the Chocosphère which will host 40 conferences with specialists and cocoa connoisseurs and the subtleties of chocolate, or the Awards du Chocolat organized by the Club des Croqueurs.