Proceeds totaling $8K from the 2023 Big Island Chocolate Festival (BICF) were awarded to three educational organizations at the event’s recent volunteer appreciation celebration at Magics Beach Grill.
Beneficiaries include the Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture, Keahole Center for Sustainability and Kona Dance & Performing Arts.
Displaying beneficiary checks with Kona Cacao Association President Farsheed Bonakdar (second from left) are from left: Candee Ellsworth of the Keahole Center for Sustainability, BICF Volunteer Coordinator Arliss Dudley-Cash for Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture and Dana Mattos of Kona Dance and Performing Arts.
Presented by the Kona Cacao Association (KCA), the BICF is an annual, three-day event offering agricultural and culinary learning experiences and competitions, plus a gala celebration of chocolate.
The mission of KCA is to promote the local cacao industry by presenting BICF as an educational and outreach opportunity for cacao farmers, the hospitality industry and cacao enthusiasts. KCA membership is open to anyone wanting to help create a recognizable brand for Hawai‘i Island chocolate, http://konacacaoassociation.com
Mahalo to the 2023 BICF sponsors: Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau, Guittard Chocolate Company, PreGel, Soullutions Business Coaching and Consulting, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, & Spa, Waialua Chocolate & Coffee, Homes & Chocolate Team Keller Williams Realty, Cacao-Trace, Felchlin Switzerland, Cocoa Outlet, Puratos Food Innovation, Tastes of Aloha, Valrhona, Chef Rubber, Original Hawaiian Chocolate, IifiGourmet Provisions, Ola Brew, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits of Hawaii, Kona Brewing Co., Kuleana Rum Works, Sysco, Lava Rock Realty, Primavera Farm Kona Cacao, Stephen Grant Green Architect, Honoka‘a Chocolate and Aloha Basket & Balloons.