Debut Portland Craft Chocolate Festival hailed a US success

The organisers of the first annual Portland Craft Chocolate Festival, Ranger Chocolate Co in the US, have hailed its debut event as a clear success, writes Neill Barston.

As the business noted, a total of more than 30 confectionery businesses from the Pacific Northwest exhibited at the show that concluded earlier this month, with more than 2,000 attendees.

The show, which was set over three day, assembled a mix of industry experts, professionals and chocolate fans in a celebration of artisan chocolate confectionery within the region.

Portland Craft Chocolate Festival

It was hosted at the historic Olympic Mills Building in Portland’s Industrial Eastside, the festival featured craft chocolate makers, confectioners, and local food & beverage artisans.

As the organisers noted, the sold-out VIP “Meet the Makers” evening kicked off the weekend, setting the stage for tastings, discussions, and exciting collaborations across the chocolate community. Mornings began with lines wrapped around the block before doors opened, underscoring Portland’s growing passion for all things chocolate.

“I felt our city was missing a festival that has chocolate at its core. And, I wanted this to be by makers, and for makers. The reaction was overwhelming — a clear message that Portland has been waiting for this kind of festival,” said George Domurot, founder of Ranger Chocolate Co. and organiser of the event. “Our goal was to bring together makers, growers, and innovators from across the Northwest — and the response has been incredible. The enthusiasm from both participants and guests shows that there’s a true appetite for the craft chocolate movement here.”

Festival highlights included guided tastings, live demonstrations, and a bustling marketplace filled with bean-to-bar chocolates, bonbons, artisan confections, spirits, wines, hazelnuts, and other handmade goods. Attendees explored the world of chocolate through hands-on learning about ethical sourcing, sustainability, and craftsmanship — discovering firsthand why Portland stands out as a leader in the national craft food scene.

Among the fan favourites from the weekend were: Ranger Chocolate Co.
Bees & Beans, Creo Chocolate, Missionary Chocolates, Oregon Bark, Stache Chocolate, Wildwood Chocolate, Portland Caramel Company, Sh’mallow
SiBEiHO — OMG!.

As the event acknowledged, its success was made possible through the support of community partners, including Prosper Portland and PNC Bank, along with sponsorships from many of Portland’s leading food and beverage companies such as Bees & Beans, Oregon Bark, Business Oregon, The Meadow, Elephant’s Deli, and PNW F&B.

“We’re already looking ahead to next year,” Domurot added. “The energy and collaboration we saw this weekend confirm that Portland deserves a permanent place on the national craft chocolate map.”