2025 Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival Roundup | #PSC 164

By Clay Gordon | 11 days ago | | 5 min read

Episode 164 of #PodSaveChocolate features a roundup of the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival, including a sampling of chocolates I picked up there – many of which I haven’t tasted (yet).

When and Where to Watch

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This stream begins at 11:00 MST (10:00 PST, 12:00 CST, 1:00 pm EST), on Friday, Nov 28th, 2025.

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Overview - Episode 164

This past weekend, the second edition of the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival (Rushville, Indiana), took place.

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TL;DR – Advance ticket sales (not including walk-ins) this year exceeded total ticket sales for 2024. A very large percentage of 2024 exhibitors, speakers, and sponsors returned for 2025. International exhibitors traveled from Japan, Norway, Madagascar, Colombia, Ghana, Honduras, and Mexico. Vendors who signed up but did not show up cited concerns about customs and immigration enforcement.

In this episode I will share my experiences with the festival (I am an advisor) – it’s history, its location, the festival program, and what makes this festival unique and special.

Rushville Style! [L]: Fall colors in full swing with most of the leaves on the ground. Overcast in the days leading up to the festival. [R]: Apparently, PB&H sandwiches as a garnish to local chili (very different from Cincinnati-style) is a go-to option. Quite a good complement, actually.)

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I may be joined by some special guests who were at the festival to share their experiences, thoughts, and chocolate.

Last year, the festival was split across four buildings downtown. This year, the festival was all in one location, the Love Community Center.

I will also be tasting bars and bonbons I picked up at the festival – most of which I have, on purpose, not tasted. Makers (all links are to IG accounts) who will be featured include:

Kesshō (Austin, TX) – Guava, Lime, Chili; Sichuan Hot Pot
Embers (Phoenix, AZ) – Campfire S’mores
Encore (Kansas City, MO) – Spiced Hot Chocolate
Chocolat Café (Rushville, IN) – Sweet Corn, Maple, Buttermilk White
éka (Madagascar) – Combava [kaffir lime] and Sea Salt
Fjorden (Norway) – 45% Milk w/ Tomato
Yojoa (Honduras) – Anis Avocado 42% Milk
Sweets Escalier – Sakura [cherry]-smoked Cuba 66%
Oscar Rodolfo (Mexico) – mixed bonbons
Ohene Cocoa (Ghana) – cacao crunch bars

Some History ...

My coverage of the 2024 – the inaugural – Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival.

Comments? Questions?

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Future Episodes

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