The French chocolate event of the year

The 17th annual edition of Paris’s famous Salon du Chocolat opened yesterday at Porte de Versailles.

According to chocoparis.com, this amazing chocolate extravaganza, the biggest chocolate festival in the world, brings together more than 400 top chocolatiers and chocolate experts, cocoa growers, pastry chefs, authors, and tens of thousands of chocolate lovers.

The spotlight this year is on the exquisite art of French pastry, with more than 200 leading chefs from around the world taking part.

The trend in recent years has seen the rise of haute pâtisserie, with the French capital’s renowned pastry chefs presenting their sophisticated creations in seasonal “collections” much like the fashion world.

Chocolate and pastry enthusiasts can certainly expect to see a lot of designer goodies at this event.

The Salon features 160 stands where visitors can meet renowned chocolatiers and pastry chefs, sample the finest chocolates and other sweets, and watch chocolate- and pastry-making demonstrations.

There are tasty chocolate workshops for children, musical and dance performances, book signings, and the celebrated chocolate dresses fashion show.

The very first Salon du Chocolat was first held in Paris in 1995. Following its huge success, the event has grown with each passing edition.