A New Era For Chocolate Begins In India
SALON DU CHOCOLAT INDiA 2026 CONCLUDES A LANDMARK iNAUGURAL EDiTiON, ESTABLiSHiNG A NEW BENCHMARK FOR LUXURY CHOCOLATE EXPERiENCES iN INDiA
The inaugural edition of Salon du Chocolat India, held on 16–17 January 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, concluded on a high note, marking a defining milestone for India’s premium chocolate and cocoa ecosystem. Organised by FourPlusMedia in association with Salon du Chocolat – Global, the two-day event successfully introduced India to the world’s most prestigious chocolate and pastry platform in its full international format.
A Sensory World Of Chocolate Experiences
With over 2,000 passes pre-booked ahead of the opening day, the debut edition of Salon du Chocolat India signalled India’s readiness to embrace world-class experiential festivals that celebrate fine food and lifestyle in fresh, engaging ways
Bringing together 47 exhibitors, 80 brands, and participants from India, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and France, Salon du Chocolat India emerged as a powerful B2B2C destination, seamlessly blending business networking, education, artistry, and immersive consumer experiences. With an actual attendance of above 5,462 visitors, the show demonstrated strong engagement across professionals, brands, families and chocolate enthusiasts alike.
From the outset, the event positioned itself beyond a conventional exhibition—curated as a premium, experience-led festival celebrating chocolate as craft, culture and contemporary luxury. Live demonstrations, tastings, cocoa-origin storytelling, masterclasses and interactive zones generated high dwell time and consistent audience interest across both days.
Chocolate Fashion Show ó Edible Haute Couture
At the heart of the show was the iconic Chocolate Fashion Show, a global hallmark of Salon du Chocolat editions worldwide. Supported by Western India Culinary Association (WICA), with Chefs Unlimited as Uniform Partner and MICKS Products LLP and Urban Platter as Ingredient Partners, the runway transformed into a stage for edible haute couture—powered by 150 kg of premium chocolate from MICKS Products LLP.
Visionary chocolatier Chef Anil Rohira and creative curator Farzana Gandhi reimagined chocolate as couture, sculpted and styled into breathtaking wearable art that blurred the boundaries between fashion, gastronomy and design.
Live Demonstrations & Culinary Creativity
Further strengthening its cultural lens, WICA curated a special showcase titled “Cacao & Concrete – Mumbai in Chocolate”, translating the city’s architectural contrasts, street energy and urban textures into evocative chocolate narratives.
Artistry took centre stage through large-scale chocolate installations, most notably a 200 kg life-size chocolate sculpture by renowned chocolate artist Rintu Kalyani Rathod, made possible withthe support of Ingredient Partners – Jindal Cocoa and Urban Platter. Additional chocolate art showcases and live demonstrations further reinforced the platform’s focus on craftsmanship and creative expression.
Masterclasses & Hands-On Workshops
Education and thought leadership formed a core pillar of the event. The Talk Show & Masterclasses featured industry leaders, chocolatiers, chefs and business experts addressing key themes such as bean-to-bar innovation, sustainability, cocoa sourcing, consumer trends and the future of premium chocolate in India. Hands-on masterclasses saw strong participation, reaffirming the show’s relevance as an industry learning platform.
The platform was further enriched by contributions from industry leaders, including Nikki Thakker, CEO of Entisi and Prathik Deshmukh, Head of Callebaut Chocolate Academy India, who brought global expertise and contemporary chocolate perspectives to the show’s educational and creative programming.
Visitor feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with an overall satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5. Audiences praised the quality of brands, global curation, educational depth and the seamless balance between business and family-friendly experiences. Exhibitors echoed this sentiment, reporting high-quality interactions, strong brand visibility and 100% rebooking intent for future editions.
Supported by leading culinary associations, including WICA and IFCA, and guided by an experienced advisory board, Salon du Chocolat India has firmly established itself as the country’s definitive platform for chocolate excellence.
Mumbai ñ The Perfect Host for Indiaís First Edition
The elegant and internationally equipped Jio World Convention Centre provided an ideal stage for Salon du Chocolat India’s rich programming. With luxury aesthetics, immersive spaces, and accessibility to a cosmopolitan audience, Mumbai delivered the perfect setting for chocolate culture to flourish.
What Industry Leaders Say
Gérald Palacios, Global Head – Salon du Chocolat, shared his excitement about the India debut: “India represents a dynamic and curious audience with a growing passion for premium experiences. Bringing Salon du Chocolat here is about sharing our global tradition of chocolate artistry while creating something uniquely Indian and world-class.”
Satish Menon, Project Head – Salon du Chocolat India, reflected on the festival’s impact and future: “This debut has shown us that India is not just ready for a luxury chocolate experience — it embraces it. We designed this festival to be celebratory, educational, and inspiring, and to become a moment in the year that people look forward to with delight.”
A Festival for Indiañ Now And Beyond
Salon du Chocolat India 2026 has laid the foundation for a new tradition in luxury experiential festivals in India, one that celebrates flavour, craft, innovation, and shared joy. As India’s chocolate culture continues to grow — influenced by local creativity and global craftsmanship — Salon du Chocolat is set to become an annual celebration that chocolate lovers and lifestyle audiences will eagerly anticipate across the country.
Building on the success of its debut, Salon du Chocolat India will return on 16–17 January 2027, at the Jio World Convention Centre, with plans for expanded international participation, larger experiential zones, enhanced conferences and deeper industry integration—cementing its long-term vision as India’s gateway to the global chocolate world.
