About ChocoFest
Discover the Makers. Savour the Flavours. Celebrate Chocolate.
Edmonton: April 9-10, 2027 • Calgary: May 14-15, 2027
J’Anne Monteleone, Founder & Festival Producer is a lifelong chocolate enthusiast and experienced event organizer, she created ChocoFest to connect chocolate lovers with exceptional makers and bring a world-class chocolate tasting experience to Western Canada.
How it All Began
In 2024, I was searching online for fun things to do in the Edmonton area when I stumbled across a chocolate festival in the United States. Instantly intrigued, I searched for chocolate festivals closer to home. To my surprise, the nearest one was in Toronto. There was nothing like it anywhere in Western Canada.
Then something unexpected happened.
As I sat at my computer, I felt what I can only describe as a clear impression from God. The thought came so clearly and powerfully: You could organize a chocolate festival.
I remember putting my head down on my keyboard and saying out loud, “You’ve got to be kidding.”
The idea seemed completely unrealistic. While I had decades of event-planning experience and a lifelong love of chocolate, creating a chocolate festival felt far beyond anything I had ever attempted. Yet the impression wouldn’t leave me, so I decided to investigate whether it was actually possible.
Over the next several months, I immersed myself in the world of chocolate festivals. I attended North America’s largest chocolate tasting festival in Seattle, developed a business plan, researched venues and ticketing platforms, and began reaching out to chocolate makers. Everywhere I turned, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Chocolate makers loved the idea. Potential attendees loved the idea. After all, who doesn’t love chocolate?
With no investors, no large organization behind me, and no guarantee of success, I decided to move forward and bootstrap the entire project myself. It was a leap of faith, but one I felt called to take.
The first ChocoFest in 2025 exceeded every expectation. Hundreds of guests lined up at the doors on opening day, eager to discover new chocolates and meet the makers behind them. While there were certainly lessons to learn, it was clear that Alberta was ready for a chocolate festival.
The second festival was even more successful, with admission sessions selling out and guests enjoying a smoother, more refined experience. Along the way, vendors and attendees began asking the same question: “When are you bringing ChocoFest to other cities?”
In 2027, ChocoFest begins an exciting new chapter with a move to Edmonton and the launch of ChocoFest Calgary, bringing the festival experience to even more chocolate lovers across Alberta.
What started as a simple online search and an unexpected nudge from God has grown into Western Canada’s premier chocolate tasting festival
Looking back, I’m grateful I listened to that unexpected inspiration. ChocoFest has become far more than a festival. It’s a place where chocolate lovers discover new favourites, makers share their stories, and a community comes together to celebrate something we all love: exceptional chocolate.
Ready to experience ChocoFest for yourself?