October 24th to 27th
WOW | GAIA | PORTO
Free Entry
Chocolate speaks to everyone, transcending ages and cultures. Without cocoa, there is no chocolate! Join us at the Chocolat Festival, the ultimate gathering for everything related to cocoa and chocolate, located in the historic heart of Vila Nova de Gaia, at WOW.
Our diverse range of activities promises something special for every visitor to enjoy.
"A project born in Brazil. Our passion for cocoa is a cultural heritage."
Meet
Chocolat Portugal
Meet Chocolat Portugal
Chocolat Portugal originated in Brazil with the purpose of boosting the chocolate and cocoa market and industry, encompassing everything from small enterprises to large businesses. This event aims to highlight different facets of this industry, which also impacts tourism, gastronomy, and sustainable production.
The festival is dedicated to encouraging technical content in the sector, bringing the best specialists to the fair to share their knowledge and innovative techniques. With the goal of promoting the largest chocolate and cocoa festival in Latin America, Chocolat Portugal returns to Europe in grand style, showcasing the best from Brazil and our great partners around the world.
A bit about our schedule
Workshop
Sing up Here
Chocolat Exhibit
Chocolate Workshop
Showcooking
Cultural Attractions
International Business Roundtable
Chocolate Museum
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
SPENCER HYMAN
CHLOÉ DOUTRE
PEDRO ARAÚJO
MARÍA JIMENEZ
SHOWCOOKING
The Magic of Live Cooking
Mariana Corbetta
Mariana began her culinary journey at a young age, taking courses as a hobby, and at 18, she graduated as a 'Professional Gastronomic Chef' from the Argentine Institute of Gastronomy (IAG). After specializing in pastry in 2003, she emphasizes the joy of sharing her knowledge and supporting her students, creating a welcoming environment. For Mariana, the human aspect is essential, and she values the love and growth she receives from them daily. She advises her students to never say 'I don't know' and to trust in her guidance to progress, thanking everyone for contributing to her discovery as a professional dedicated to others.
Helder Fernandes
Helder Pereira Fernandes, born in 1994 in Viana do Castelo, is the current pastry chef at the World Of Wine since 2020. Combining the richness of Portuguese pastry with the precision of French cuisine, his training includes techniques and kitchen management from the hospitality school in Viana do Castelo, along with enriching experiences alongside starred chefs in France, such as Marc Meurin and Maxime Frédérique. After working at renowned places like the Four Seasons Hotel George V and Le Monumental Palace, Helder returned to Portugal, where he delights with desserts that blend tradition and refinement.
Natasha Marques
Natasha Marques discovered her passion for gastronomy through the sense of family unity around the table. She began her training in 2011 in São Paulo, specializing in cake design and gelato. With an international background, she honed her skills in Switzerland, the United States, and France, where she completed a master’s in Pastry at l'École Lenôtre, focusing on advanced chocolate techniques. In Portugal, she worked in renowned restaurants and led projects such as Vogue Café and the Ammar restaurant. Currently, Natasha runs her own project, Ar by Natasha Marques, creating true works of art in chocolate.
Ana Sales
Ana Sales, a Brazilian from Bahia, is creative and restless. She moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1999 to attend law school, specializing in Labor and Union Relations. In 2016, she radically changed her career path by starting her studies in Gastronomy, surrendering to her passion and the charms of cooking and the universe of flavors that now define her life goals. This transition took place at the very company she worked for, Grupo Trigo, where the opportunity to participate in the creation of a new French culinary brand—Lebonton, with a “comfort food” concept—ignited her desire to invest in this new dream.
Renata Tavares
Renata Tavares, a graduate in Social Work, began her journey in the world of confectionery after falling in love with the universe of children's events. As the creator of 'Doce in Bike,' the first food bike in Natal-RN, she found success with her brigadeiro bar at events. After expanding the business with a storefront, she moved to Portugal, where she faced challenges but built a loyal clientele. With constant dedication and study, Renata now shares her knowledge about sweets, especially brigadeiros, and closely monitors the progress of her students.
Helane Pimenta
Helane Pimenta, leading Pimenta de Cheiro since 2013, stands out for creating flavors that balance simplicity and sophistication in artisanal cakes and chocolates. With a focus on high-quality ingredients, her creations delight the palate with unpretentious yet refined combinations. At Cozinha Show, Helane will present a coconut and fine lavender bonbon, inspired by her recent immersion in lavender farms in Provence, offering a unique and innovative experience in artisanal confectionery.
Renata Monteiro
Master in Gastronomic Sciences from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology at Nova University Lisbon. Trained in Cake Design at the Professional Education School of Pontinha in Lisbon. Specialist in gluten-free cooking from ICIF Italy. She teaches courses in baking, pastry, and gastronomy at schools in Brazil and Portugal. Participant in the 2015 edition of Masterchef Portugal. Food blogger; her recipes have been published in newspapers in Brazil and Portugal. Consultant in the gastronomy field for companies in product development and specialized recipes.
Mirna Gomes
Mirna Gomes is a gastronomy graduate from FMU (Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas), São Paulo, Brazil. She has worked at Clos de Tapas in São Paulo, interned at Celler de Can Roca, and gained experience at Maní and Clandestino under Bel Coelho. She has completed consultancy projects in Northeast Brazil and has given lectures and workshops on Brazilian, Spanish, and contemporary cuisine. Mirna was a volunteer teacher of Brazilian Cuisine in the Chef Aprendiz Project in São Paulo and moved to Porto to head a natural wine restaurant, Toasted, in 2019. Today, she works as a sous-chef at Restaurant Mito. Mirna loves to draw inspiration from local ingredients but never misses the chance to showcase a bit of Brazilian ingredients and cuisine.
Cidália França
Born in Belém do Pará, Cidália França is a cook at The Yeatman in Gaia. Since 2019, she has been leading the Showcooking, with tapioca being one of her standout dishes. She graduated from the Do it Better Cooking and Pastry School and later earned the title of Master in International Cuisine from the Spanish Confederation of Training - CECAP Madrid. From Brazil, she brought her background in Literature and Social Communication, which enriches her professional interactions. She has been living in Portugal for 7 years, dedicated to gastronomy, celebrating the diversity of flavors, and highlighting her Brazilian heritage.
Carolina Sales
Carolina Sales is an award-winning pastry chef and entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience, known for her brand Carolina Sales Patisserie and Carolina Sales Café. Recognized for her excellence in creating gourmet sweets, particularly brigadeiros, she has won numerous awards and become a reference in Brazilian confectionery. In addition to her work in the kitchens, Carolina is an educator and mentor with over 12 years of experience, sharing her knowledge through courses and workshops, such as the CS 360 program, which helps new entrepreneurs structure their businesses. With an innovative approach, she inspires the next generation and continues to push the boundaries of the industry, building a legacy of success.
Natacha Fink
Natacha Fink is the executive chef of Palaphita, an eco-lounge in Cascais that celebrates Amazonian roots through its innovative and welcoming cuisine. Born in Manaus, Natacha began her career in journalism, where she developed her love for gastronomy by making documentaries about Amazonian culture. After opening her restaurant Espírito Santa in Brazil and facing challenges in management, she decided to move to Portugal and, along with her brother Mário, opened Palaphita in 2020. The venue is known for its relaxed atmosphere and dishes that combine local ingredients with Amazonian influences, such as vatapá pastries and tapioca dadinhos. With a focus on customer loyalty and an inviting environment, Natacha has distinguished herself through her creative approach and the appreciation of family tradition in the kitchen.
Virginia Soares
Virginia Soares, born and raised in the interior of Pernambuco, developed her passion for cooking through family experiences in her grandmother's backyard, where she learned about fresh ingredients and culinary traditions. Influenced by the cultural diversity of her region and the rich Portuguese cuisine, Virginia deepened her training by studying at the Hotel and Tourism School of Porto after earning a degree in History. Today, she is an entrepreneur in the gastronomic sector, focusing on culinary events that reflect her journey and her desire to touch lives through her inspiring creations.
Hasnaâ Ferreira
Hasnaâ Ferreira is a French chocolatier who, after participating in MasterChef in 2012, decided to specialize in the art of chocolate. She opened her first shop, Hasnaâ Chocolats Grands Crus, in Bordeaux in 2014, followed by another in 2016. A pioneer of the "Bean to Bar" method, she became the first woman in France to roast her own cocoa beans, ensuring control over the entire process. Hasnaâ has won over 70 awards, including Gold at the 2023 International Chocolate Awards and the title of Entrepreneur of the Year in 2024, always maintaining a commitment to quality and cocoa producers.
Chocolat Portugal 2024
October 24 | 6 PM to 10 PM
October 25 to 27 | 2 PM to 8 PM
WOW | World Of Wine
Rua do Choupelo 39, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
FAQ
WOW, THE CULTURAL QUARTER
Rua do Choupelo, 39 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia
METRO
Line D (Yellow) Station: General Torres
STCP Lines 901 and 906
BUS
Ferry Rio Douro Ribeira – Cais De Gaia
The festival will be open on October 24th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and from October 25th to 27th from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Yes! Admission to the Chocolat Festival is free for all visitors.
You can reach us via email at: comercial.pt@chocolatfestival.com or through our WhatsApp: Click here to send a message.
