The San Francisco Bay Area CHOCOLATE Meetup

The most delicious of California artisan chocolate events, and now in its 20th Anniversary!

The Original and Premier Artisan Chocolate Show on the West Coast takes place this Spring at the Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON in the large Hall of Flowers, Gallery building of the San Francisco County Fair Building.

Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, buyers and journalists can experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

Featuring a delicious selection chosen and curated by the Organizers, previous Annual International CHOCOLATE SALON participants included master chocolatiers, confectioners, and other curated culinary artisans. Chocolate Salon features include Celebrity Chef demos, the Author Talks, and more.

New Panel at the 20th Anniversary SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE SALON & FESTIVAL on Saturday, March 28th:

Guided Tasting by the Cacao Muse

Join Birgitte Rasine, author of The Cacao Muse newsletter and the popular novel The Jaguar and the Cacao Tree, for a guided chocolate tasting. You'll take part in a multi-sensory expedition into a world most people only know through a few commercial brands.

You’ll learn how to revitalize your taste buds, open up your palate, and identify different flavor profiles. While we experience the chocolates from participating vendors at the Chocolate Salon, Birgitte will also cover some of the health benefits of chocolate and cacao; dive into cacao’s mesmerizing history and mythology; and discuss chocolate's complicated role in the global economy and the environment.

If you’ve grown up mostly on Lindt, Nestlé, or Ghirardelli, prepare yourself for a life-changing experience.

New Panel at the 20th Anniversary SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE SALON & FESTIVAL:

Spice & Sweet, The Rise of Indian Chocolate Makers

A moderated panel of Bay Area Indian-heritage chocolatiers explores how Indian spices, ingredients, and culinary traditions are redefining contemporary chocolate. Hear personal stories about inspiration, technique, and building businesses rooted in cultural flavor. Celebrate the growing influence of Indian creativity in fine chocolate.

New Panel at the 20th Anniversary SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE SALON & FESTIVAL:

Flavor Lineage, Asian American Perspectives in Fine Chocolate

Join local award winning Asian American chocolatiers as they explore how heritage shapes their approach to flavor, texture, design, and craft. From subtle infusions to bold reinterpretations, they’ll discuss how cultural memory and personal experience influence their creative process. Enjoy this conversation on identity, innovation, and building distinctive chocolate brands in the Bay Area.