Next month on obscure observances that may or may not revolve around food: World Chocolate Day on July 7. According to popular belief, it is in celebration of the introduction of this cacao-derived favorite to Europe in 1550.
While you can technically celebrate chocolate day every day, in the Philippines, it has only been introduced—and celebrated formally—in the last two years, thanks in part to world-renowned Filipino chocolatier Auro Chocolate.
Since 2019, Auro has partnered with local food businesses to reimagine their award-winning bars into chocolatey desserts. The said cacao innovations have since been available for public consumption at a fair held annually at S Maison at Conrad Manila in Pasay—until the pandemic hit, that is.
This year though, the chocolate maker is back with local food businesses in tow, and in person. From July 7 to 11, you can catch Overdoughs, Cafe Mary Grace, Poison Doughnuts, Half Saints, Serenitea, Bubu Bars, and Pinkberry along with their unique takes on Auro’s different iterations of chocolate at S Maison.
The event is free to the public. You can expect your favorite desserts on show, from classic pastries to inventive desserts that you haven’t seen or tried anywhere.
The World Chocolate Fair will be held at Level 1, Main Atrium from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on said dates.