Elle Coco - Chocolate Events

12/05/2026

It seems only too fitting that I share this post now, just after France's first bean-to-bar dedicated chocolate show in Bordeaux. New Zealand represented with two outstanding makers (recently awarded at the Awards🏅!), I was lucky enough to catch up with one of them, Thomas Capdevielle of , back in December.

It was summertime (supposedly) in New Zealand. We’d been battling torrential rain as we took the winding road from Waihi to Whangamatā on the northeastern coast of the North Island, the kind of road where every corner and turn you take results in a new vista with the rain so torrential you hope your wipers can keep up.

Whangamatā is a cute coastal town on the edge of the Coromandel Peninsula – surfing territory, holiday territory, the kind of place where the quintessential Kiwi bach outnumbers mansions and the sound of the ocean is never far away. Not the first place you’d expect to find a French-trained bean to bar chocolate maker from Bordeaux, perhaps, but to Thomas, a keen surfer with a potent mix of salt and cacao in his blood, it couldn’t be more perfect.

Check out his inspiring and fascinating story at the link in my bio! Each time I interview a maker I get a new level of excitement, learning people's stories, journeys, the paths they were on previously, and what lead them to chocolate! What makes this one even more special is he works closely with in Vanuatu for all of his beans🫘. I hope you enjoy discovering their journeys through these articles and trying their amazing chocolates, each one crafted with dedication and passion to good, honest, intentional food. 🥰❤️🍫

13/03/2026

'The smell hits you before the door has even closed behind you. Rich, deep, intoxicating, that unmistakable aroma of cacao being ground into something truly magical. It's a grey Wellington morning on Adelaide Road in Berhampore, and there is a distinct bite and sprinkling of rain in the air. A typical spring day. But I'm not phased, I've just stepped inside Barron Hasselhoff's, what one might describe as a mini chocolate emporium, and Clayton McErlane - Chief Chocolate Disciple, as he officially goes by - is behind the counter, melangeurs whirring and rumbling away in the background. Erin Todd, Clayton's partner in chocolate and officially Chief Everything Else Officer is mid-conversation with their final customer of the day, but waves us in with a smile that says "Sit down, we'll be with you in a sec."' Link in bio to read the full interview with the awesome Clayton & Erin, the power duo behind the magic chocolate quest. Working with beans from , and couverture from .

13/03/2026

What a treat it was to spend time with the inspirational duo behind Baron Hasselhoff’s chocolate in Berhampore, Wellington NZ. Give it a read, give it a like. And if you happen to be around Berhampore this weekend go check them out, and experience the magic!

The smell hits you before the door has even closed behind you. Rich, deep, intoxicating, that unmistakable aroma of cacao being ground into something truly magical. It’s a grey Wellington mor…

22/02/2026

Having spent an inspiring few weeks last October judging for the UK’s Academy of Chocolate, I eagerly scrolled through the email in December announcing the winners. I knew New Zealand was in a strong position, but when the results came through I was blown away. Thirty medals, from just five makers in a country of barely 5.2 million people. I then spent some time crunching the numbers, wondering how did New Zealand fare on the world stage in terms of awards received per capita...number ONE! That's where!

New Zealand may frequently get missed off world maps for all sorts of things, but our place was now even more firmly solidified on the world chocolate map!

08/02/2026

New Zealand shines on the global chocolate map, scooping up awards across the board at the Academy of Chocolate 2025.

Having spent an inspiring few weeks last October judging for the UK's Academy of Chocolate, I eagerly scrolled through the email in December announcing the winners. I knew New Zealand was in a strong position, but when the results came through I was blown away. Thirty medals, from just five makers in a country of barely 5.2 million people. New Zealand may frequently get missed off world maps for all sorts of things, but our place was now even more firmly solidified on the world chocolate map!...

Having spent an inspiring few weeks last October judging for the UK’s Academy of Chocolate, I eagerly scrolled through the email in December announcing the winners. I knew New Zealand was in …

23/12/2025

What a year it's been for chocolate judging.

Unintentionally scoring what I guess one might call a 'hat trick' in chocolate judging. I managed to judge the Chocolate category at the NZ in February, the British category for the in April, and the jewel in the crown - The in October.

I'm honoured to judge on each of these panels, to be able to assess the quality of entrants in depth, nationally for New Zealand and the UK. However, judging the international entries across multiple categories for the Academy of Chocolate will always be a highlight - the coverage is vast and the quality is insanely high. The awards were announced last week and I am truly bowled over by not just the incredible global talent there is, but by how this wonderful little country in the south Pacific, that is so often missed off numerous world maps, absolutely cleaned up at these awards. We might continue to be missed off some world maps in the future, but I'm confident we are now firmly cementing our well deserved place towards the top of the chocolate world map.

5 of our amazing NZ chocolate producers won 30 awards across 6 categories! For 3 of those producers it was their first time entering the awards.

Congratulations to , , , .cacao , .

Especially first time entrants Lucid, Mind Your Temper and Ao Cacao.

It's been a challenging year for many industries in many countries and cities around the world, and it's been a tough time for many here in NZ too. So the fact that you've turned up, despite the odds and continue to produce what can now be officially described as outstanding world-class chocolate, is something you deservedly should be insanely proud of! I'm ecstatic for all of you!!

Excited for even more epic achievements in 2026!

But right now, to everyone who left their Christmas shopping to the last minute, why not pick up some award-winning chocolate from one of these amazing makers? 🏆🥰❤️🍫

19/12/2025

A couple of months back I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Kate Necklen , the girl boss and mastermind behind , based in Lyall Bay here in Wellington.

Kate's passion for chocolate is inspiring, and her dedication to creating delicious plant-based nostalgia-inspired products for the vegan community knows no bounds.

She really is making waves, conjuring up true magic and joy and reviving some of Wellington's lost heritage, all from her small factory in Lyall Bay.

You can catch my latest interview with her at the link in my bio.

Then pop on down to grab some peppermint chews, or the delectable pineapple ones.

19/12/2025

Welcome to Wonderland

It was a bright yet blustery day in Wellington, the sun was shining but there was a distinct nip in the air, typical for late winter when the early hints of spring are just beginning to make themselves known. I was heading to Lyall Bay. Not to surf, although conditions were good. No, I was off to meet Kate Necklen, the creative mastermind behind the magic that is Wonderland Chocolate....

It was a bright yet blustery day in Wellington, the sun was shining but there was a distinct nip in the air, typical for late winter when the early hints of spring are just beginning to make themse…

16/10/2025

The latest of my adventures is now live on The Adventures of Elle Coco - link below.
What a treat it was spending time with and Lilli in Pinalum, on the island of Malekula in Vanuatu. Roy works closely with Oli of , and and I were lucky to get out there for a few days to lend a hand with a small harvest they needed.
🌱🫘
They grow a beautiful strain of Amelonado here that creates delightfully fine flavour beans. It was an honour to walk through the cacao farm, hunt for pods and spend time with these two beautiful people, learning about their story of chocolate and cacao.
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It was quite an exciting journey getting back to Port Vila from Malekula Island, and we even joined the beans from a previous harvest on their journey. An inspiring and enlightening adventure, I hope you enjoy the read.
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https://theadventuresofellecoco.com/2025/10/16/peace-and-chocolate-in-pimalum/

14/10/2025

Aah yes, that London Chocolate Week in 2012 while running the and chocolate stall, I held my first ever real fresh cacao pod.

It's safe to say I really could feel the magic in that ruby red orb, and man it tasted so good. I'd already been working in the chocolate industry for a couple of years by this point, but it's safe to day that on touching the cold, rugged flesh of the pod I felt an even deeper connection to cacao than I had before.

Little did I know at that point that this magic substance would take me around the world and connect me with some of the most amazing and inspiring people.

Chocolate and cacao, and more specifically the craft scene, is more than just a food source, it's a community of like-minded souls striving to make the world more tasty and more enjoyable through making top quality chocolate.