Gain a chocolate taste of Brussels at the World Confectionery Conference
This year’s World Confectionery Conference in Brussels will once again have an extra special addition in the form of a special chocolate tour of some of the city’s finest chocolate artisans, who have won global acclaim.
In addition to our main event in Belgium on 12 September at the NHow Hotel, attendees will have the chance to extend their stay in the city through exploring some of its artisan treats courtesy of expert guide, Cathy Manlow.
Our full conference day celebrating industry sustainability and innovation across the value chain, is set to feature a broad array of keynote speakers including Ferrero, Tony’s Chocolonely, Caobisco, Mintel and FMCG Gurus, as well as further presentations from across the industry including Plamil, Palsgaard and DT&G Ltd industry equipment group among those confirmed already.
The event, which marks Confectionery Production’s 90th anniversary, will also see a welcome return for our Q&A session on sustainability, as well as our sector awards, which will feature six categories this year.
Topping off our latest industry showcase on 13 September, Cathy Manlow, a former treasurer for the UK’s Academy of Chocolate and presently serves as a judge of its renowned confectionery awards, will lead an exclusive morning tour of the city.
As a passionate ‘chocoholic,’ the native New Yorker revealed that she first discovered gourmet chocolate when apprenticing at Frederic Cassel in Fontainebleau.
Not only did she learn to taste and make delicious chocolate with this prestigious member of Relais Desserts, she went on to become Chief Chocolate Strategist at Rococo Chocolates in London, then Western European Brand Manager for the B2B blockbuster brand Callebaut, followed by a position as Marketing Director at Pierre Marcolini, one of the first to start the bean-to-bar movement in Belgium.
Brimming with chocolate passion, Cathy decided to embark on a new journey, leading visitors on Cocoa Journey, a chocolate adventure through Brussels, where you can discover and taste exceptional artisan chocolate, and even make chocolate yourselves.
Cathy said: “I am thrilled to lead an event linked to the World Confectionery Conference, and having attended in the past, it’s been proven to be an informative event with knowledgeable industry speakers on current issues, so I am happy to be leading this exceptional artisan chocolate tour.”
– Tour details: For this session on 13 September, you will visit only the best artisan chocolate shops, and taste mouth-watering chocolate, all the while being guided through tasting each one. The tour is a 1.5 hour walking tour through Brussels city centre, from the Grand Place to Place St. Catherine, where you’ll also learn plenty of interesting industry facts as you walk along (see the website thecocoajourney.com for additional details. Come along, and taste and discover what it takes to make exceptional chocolate, and understand what makes a truly artisan chocolate (& chocolatier). The cost is €54 euros per person and will only be open to those who have booked for the main World Confectionery Conference event – email Cathy directly for information and to book your place at [email protected]
