EVENT SCHEDULE
16 – 17 January 2026 | Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai
Where Chocolate Dreams Come to Life!
Get ready, India! The world’s most enchanting chocolate festival is making its debut in 2026. Imagine a world where chocolate isn’t just a treat—it’s an experience, a story and an art form.
DAY 1 - Chocolate & Cocoa Innovation
The Grand Inauguration
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Inauguration Ceremony
- Opening remarks by event organisers
- Welcome address by Gerald Palacios
- Introduction to the Advisory Committee
- Anil Rohira
- Pratik Deshmukh
- Nikki Thakkar
- Sudhakar Gupta
- Keynote
- Welcome parade of global chocolatiers & pastry chefs
- Lamp lighting & introduction to the India edition
Panel Discussion Schedule
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Panel Discussion 1 | Main Stage
Topic:
“From Bean to Bar: Craft Chocolate’s Rising Wave in India”
Moderator: Chef Anil Rohira – Co-Founder and Director, S.E.P., Corporate Pastry Chef Felchlin, Switzerland
Speakers:
- Devansh Ashar – Founder, Pascati
- Manali Khandelwal – Senior Director and Founding Team, Subko Cacao
- Karan Tejani – Founder, Ziaho
- Prashant Chitme -Co founder, Chocolate and Me
- Chef Vivek Kadam – Secretary WICA & Executive Pastry Chef, ITC Maratha
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Panel Discussion 2 | Main Stage
Topic:
“The Value of Indian Culinary Schools in Advancing the Chocolate Industry ”
Moderator: Sudhakar Gupta – Director, International Business Development, IFFCO Group, United Arab Emirates & Passionate Pastry Chef
Speakers:
- Cedric Bolatto – Co-founder, La Vanoise & Director of Business Development And Partnership
- Chef Anil Rohira – Co-Founder & Director, S.E.P., Corporate Pastry Chef Felchlin, Switzerland
- Chef Silamaka Soukouna – Founder, Silax Patisserie
- Gerald Palacios – CEO, Salon Du Chocolat Global
- Chef Pratik Deshmukh – Head, Callebaut Chocolate Academy India & Certified Hospitality
1:50 PM – 2:20 PM
Product Launch | Main Stage
Craft Chocolate Machines & Moulds By Mangharam Chocolate Solutions
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Keynote by Kalei Ross | Main Stage
Featuring : Dr. Kalei Ross is a Sensory Wellness Coach, Chocolate Educator, and author of the Gourmand Award–winning In Pursuit of Purity: The Paris Chocolate Files and the newly released Stories Behind the Bar: The Dominican Republic
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
Panel Discussion 3 | Main Stage
Topic: “Retail, E-commerce & Reaching the New Age Chocolate Consumer”
Moderator: Aarthee Suriyakumar – Marketing Director, Barry Callebaut India
Speakers:
- Kanchan Achpal – Chief Marketing Officer, Smoor
Jacob Joy – Director, JJ confectionery
- Nihar – Founder & Creator, Xokatoz Chocolates
- Aanchal Sapra- Founder, Reve Patisserie
- Mayank Bhatia – Vice President Sales, Loyka
- Chitrangini Davda- Co-founder, Blue Aster
Prakash Sanghvi – Director, Delta Nutritives
3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
Panel Discussion 4 | Main Stage
Topic: “Women in Chocolate: Leadership, Craft & Community”
Moderator: Farzana Gandhi – Strategic Consultant & Curator – Hospitality & Culinary Initiatives
Speakers:
- Nivedita Prasad – Co-founder, Chocolate philosophy
- Palana Davda – Co-Founder & Creative Director, Blue Aster
- Shradha Paithankar – Founder, Khari Biscuit
- Sapna Nirmal – Director, Choco Humm Chocolates
- Shraddha Vichare – Founder, Nolita Cacao
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Fireside Chat | Main Stage
Theme: “The Chocolate Entrepreneur: Building Iconic Brands from Scratch”
Host:
Chef Anil Rohira, Co-Founder and Director, S.E.P., Corporate Pastry Chef Felchlin, Switzerland
Featuring:
Nikki Thakkar – CEO, Entisi Chocolatier
Chocolate Demonstration
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Chocolate Demonstration By Abhiru Biswas
Featuring: Chef Abhiru Biswas, Chocolate Consultant Chef, AB Hospitality
Topic: “Science Behind Ganache”
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Chocolate Demonstration By Arvind Prasad
Featuring: Chef Arvind Prasad, Co- Founder and Executive Pastry chef ,Whitecap’s International school of Pastry
Topic: “Makahan Caramel Chocolate Bon Bon”
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Chocolate Demonstration
By Chef Tushar Malkani
Featuring: Chef Tushar Malkani, Corporate Chef, Le Sutra, Indian Art Hotel
Product Demo: “Ghee truffle balls”
Pastry Demonstration
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Pastry Demonstration By Tasneem Shah
Featuring : Tasneem Shah , Founder Chocolate Factory by Tasneem
Topic: “Walnut Pecan Brownie Tart”
Includes: Live plating & tasting
2.30 PM – 3:30 PM
Pastry Demonstration By Chef Silamaka Soukouna
Featuring : Chef Silamaka Soukouna – Founder, Silax Patisserie (France)
Topic: “Coco Djambo”
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Pastry Demonstration By Chef Nimit Somaya
Featuring : Chef Nimit Somaya, School Of European Pastry
Topic : “Modern Pastry Meets Indian Flavours : Fusion Desserts For A New India”
Includes: Live plating & tasting
DAY 2 - Chocolate & Creativity
Panel Discussion Schedule
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Panel Discussion 1 | Main Stage
Topic:
“Indian Chocolate on the Global Shelf: Export Readiness & International Standards”
Moderator: Cedric Bolatto – Co-founder, La Vanoise & Director of Business Development And Partnership
Speakers:
- Munish Gupta – Owner, Windsor
- Sudhakar Gupta – Director, International Business Development, IFFCO Group, United Arab Emirates & Passionate Pastry Chef
- Karan Singh – National Sales Head, Micks
Chocolate Demonstration
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Chocolate Demonstration By Chef Anil Rohira
Featuring: Chef Anil Rohira, Co-Founder and Director, S.E.P., Corporate Pastry Chef Felchlin, Switzerland
Topic:
- Dubai Kunafa Bar
- Hazelnut Gianduja
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Chocolate Demonstration By Chef Pratik Deshmukh
Featuring : Chef Pratik Deshmukh – Head, Callebaut Chocolate Academy India & Certified Hospitality Educator
Topic: “Cacao Couture Cookie”
Pastry Demonstration
11:15 AM – 1:15 PM
Pastry Demonstration By Chef Mani Vinaik
Featuring : Chef Mani Vinaik, Founder Through the Food Door
Topic: “Newyork Style Cheesecake”
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Demonstration By Chef David Greenwood Haigh
Featuring: Chef David Greenwood Haigh, International Chocolate Consultant | World Master Chef
Topic: “Chocolate Before Sugar”
Chocolate Fashion Show
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Chocolate Fashion Show
The Salon du Chocolat India Fashion Show is a signature spectacle where couture meets cocoa, featuring extraordinary chocolate-crafted creations on the runway. Curated by Chef Anil Rohira and Farzana Gandhi, the show brings together renowned designers, chocolatiers, and models to celebrate the artistry and innovation of chocolate.