First Chocolate Fiesta in Savusavu A Success!
The first Chocolate Fiesta event in Savusavu was hailed a success. The chocolate fiesta, was part of the Savusavu Tourism Association’s (STA) campaign encouraging locals to “Come Overseas to Savusavu” and take part in a new collection of special activities.
It took place recently at KokoMana cocoa farm and chocolate factory.
KokoMana owners and directors Anne Moorhead and Richard Markham said that the day was a great success, with morning and afternoon sessions both at full capacity. “We were really pleased that so many people came and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves”, Ms Moorhead said.
A small luxury
She said chocolate was a small luxury that everyone can enjoy, and we love sharing it with friends and guests. Visitors were given a brief history of chocolates, and its journey from South America, where it originated, all the way to Fiji.
One of the highlights she noted was visitors also watched a tempering demo and creative chocolate moulding – using forest leaves to produce elegant ‘chocolate leaves’ – and tasted lots of delicious ‘goodies’ made with KokoMana chocolate.
“In a blind tasting, the visitors compared chocolate made from Fijian cocoa with chocolate made from West African cocoa – and the Fijian-cocoa won hands down!
She also noted that with that result it was good news for Ana and Manoa Raika from Naweni village, the awardwinning cocoa farmers who supply KokoMana.
She said Ana and Manoa were guests of honour at the morning session, and shared some of their vast experience with the cocoa and chocolate enthusiasts present. Mr Markham said he was pleased and honoured with the tour turnout.
“Our team worked hard to put the event together and the enthusiastic response was encouraging for everyone.” A guest, Charles, who travelled from Suva for the event said It was a great morning where he learned a lot about chocolate.