> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival Roundup & 2025 Craft Chocolat Challenge | #PodSaveChocolate Ep84 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/midwest-craft-chocolate-festival-roundup-2025-craft-chocolat-challenge-podsavechocolate-ep84/ - Published: 2024-12-01T18:13:32.000Z - Updated: 2024-12-11T18:24:52.000Z - Description: Episode 84 of #PodSaveChocolate features 1) a roundup of the recent inaugural Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival in Rushville, IN; 2) tastings of chocolate from exhibitors; and 3) announcing that entries are being accepted for the 2025 Craft Chocolat Challenge – 4th edition. [ Updated on 12/4. ] - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream **When and Where to Watch** 🗓️ The stream airs LIVE at 11:00 ****MST** (10:00 PST, 12:00 CST, 13:00 EST), on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024. ‼️ Links to watch – **or to view the archived episode* – on all three platforms: Click on this (shareable) link to watch on YouTube. Please subscribe (free!) to the [@PodSaveChocolate YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@podsavechocolate/featured?ref=thechocolatelife.com), like this video, comment, and ****share** this episode to help grow the #PSC community. [Clay Gordon on LinkedIn: #podsavechocolate #lavidacocoa #thechocolatelife #cacao #cocoa #cacau…Episode 84 of #PodSaveChocolate features 1) a roundup of the recent inaugural Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival in Rushville, IN; 2) tastings of chocolate from…![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/al2o9zrvru7aqj8e1x2rzsrca)LinkedInClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/c45fy346jw096z9pbphyyhdz7)](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Fpodsavechocolate-lavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-activity-7269048030392119296-7K6U?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop) This ****LINKEDIN** link is shareable. [MwCCF Roundup and 2025 Craft Chocolat Challenge | #PodSaveChocolate Ep84Other event by TheChocolateLife on Tuesday, December 3 2024![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/aGT3gskzWBf.ico)#PodSaveChocolate Ep84![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/media)](https://fb.me/e/79N9g5RKs?ref=thechocolatelife.com) This ****FACEBOOK** link is shareable. --- ## **Episode 84 Overview** From my opening remarks for the inaugural Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival: > Before Dustin moved here to Rushville he shared with me his ideas for this festival. Why Rushville, I thought? For a big city New York boy like me - a small town in the middle of nowhere in rural Indiana? > > I have learned over the past two days that Rushville is not in the middle of nowhere - Rushville *is *the center* *of somewhere**. For two days in late November of 2024, Rushville, Indiana ***was*** the center of the craft chocolate world – with exhibitors from Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Liberia, and Norway, and others with roots in Ecuador, India, and the Philippines, and representing Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, and Ohio. [HOME | Midwest Craft Chocolate FestivalMidwest Craft Chocolate Festival located in Rushville, Indiana![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/7618b4_3d5b88011df445e0ab2c003f6a9edcdc~mv2.png)MCCF![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/7618b4_3d5b88011df445e0ab2c003f6a9edcdc~mv2.png)](https://www.midwestcraftchocolatefestival.com/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Bookmark and subscribe to stay informed about the 2025 festival. [SEASON FOUR | Craft Chocolat Chall![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/pfavico.ico)Craft Chocolat Chall](https://www.craftchocolatchallenge.com/season-four?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Announcing the 2025 (Fourth Season) of the CCC –Entry form on this page --- ### **Festival Impressions** Dustin Cornett, founder of the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival and the Craft Chocolat Challenge, and Leila Carvajal, founder of Cocoa Supply and festival and challenge sponsor will join me for the episode. > **One** key to this festival’s success is that Rushville and surrounding Rush County is heavily dependent on farming. Many festival attendees were farmers who understand many of the challenges that cocoa farmers face. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5964-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5958-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5963-Medium.jpeg) ***One** of the several locations for the festival – the Rush County Courthouse. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5931-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5939-Medium.jpeg) During setup. \[L\] 201 Building. \[R\] Coutrhouse. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5954-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5955-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5960-Medium.jpeg) Exhibitors: \[L\] Cocoa Supply. \[C\] Dwaar. \[R\] Chocs ’N Boxes. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5942-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5943-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5944-Medium.jpeg) Exhibitors: \[L\] Embers. \[C\] Encore. \[R\] Maverick. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5945-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5951-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5952-Medium.jpeg) Exhibitors: \[L\] Fjorden. \[C\] Yellow Bird. \[R\] LOHcally. --- ### **Tastings** For the tasting section of the episode, Dustin and I will be joined by Tandy Peterson of Embers Chocolate (Phoenix), a MwCCF exhibitor and multi-award winner in previous CCC editions. These will be tasted in a different order. [VENDORS | Midwest Craft Chocolate FestivalCheck out who will be set up at the festival and what they offer.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/7618b4_3d5b88011df445e0ab2c003f6a9edcdc~mv2.png)MCCF![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/7618b4_3d5b88011df445e0ab2c003f6a9edcdc~mv2.png)](https://www.midwestcraftchocolatefestival.com/vendors?ref=thechocolatelife.com) All 2024 Exhibitors with links to their websites. I got to the following chocolates in this episode. The others will be tasted in the Tuesday December 10th, episode. In alphabetical order: [Ube Chocolate \[85g\] - Chocs ’N BoxesFree shipping (2-3 days) for orders $65 and above Maker CHOCS ’N BOXES, LLC Country USA Cacao Origin APOY BENIT’S CACAO AGRICULTURAL FARMING Calbayog, Philippines CERTIFICATIONS: Allergen Info:![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/cnb-favicon.png)Chocs 'N BoxesVivian![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4534.jpeg)](https://www.chocsnboxes.com/product/ube-chocolate-85g/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Chocs ’N Boxes (Illinois) Ube White Chocolate bar [ProductsDwaarChocolate![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)DwaarChocolate![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/DWAAR-LOGOMINI-DARK-01_1_1_1.png)](https://dwaarchocolate.com/collections/all?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Dwaar (Michigan) Spicy Peanut Crunch (Kokoa Kamili) [Croissant Milk Chocolate – Embers ChocolatePain au Chocolat - 45% Milk Chocolate with Red Miso My favorite morning treat is a Pain au chocolat. It is rich, crunchy, and tart, but that is not why I love it. I love the mess it leaves all over the counter after the first bite. The little pile of crumbs makes me smile; I find a way to eat every escaped flake, counter be damned. This bar is the story of that morning ritual. The miso is ground into the milk chocolate creating a complexity you can’t quite place. Its flavor hides just under the surface of the rich cacao spiking with salt and tropical fruit notes. The chocolate is then studded with a sourdough croissant packed with crispy layers, bringing the memory to a close. Bring a napkin for this one!![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)logo\_embers\_round![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0237-scaled.jpeg)](https://emberschocolate.com/product/croissant-milk-chocolate/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Embers’ (Arizona) best-selling bar was their [Elote White Chocolate](https://emberschocolate.com/product/white-chocolate-elote/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) – maybe because it contained corn? [Bean-to-Bar Chocolate - Encore Coffee CompanyOur chocolate is crafted from carefully selected, ethically sourced cocoa beans roasted and processed in small batches to ensure optimal flavor and quality.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/ENCORE_C_C_IG.png)Encore Coffee & Chocolate![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/CacaoHeaderShopify_1200x1200.jpg)](https://www.encorecoffeeco.com/collections/chocolate?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Encore (Missouri) 70% Dark Chocolatenw/ Sea Salt [WebshopLokalprodusert Bean to bar sjokolade av fantastisk smaksrike kakaobønner![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/f56fd685-de00-495d-88a9-6a718512d337.ico)Fjorden sjokolade![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/6a6e8c1b-cb7d-4f7c-b508-44a69d626633.jpeg)](https://fjordensjokolade.no/en/webshop?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Fjorden (Norway) British Heritage Collection Rum and Raisin 42% (Kokoa Kamili) Milk (to be listed soon) [CRANBERRY WILD RICE BAR | Mademoiselle MielAs delightful to the eye as to the tongue and a gorgeous representation of Minnesota. Our Minnesota grown wild rice, maple sugar and cranberry are ingredients long savored by native peoples. We are proud to create on this abundant land and to share it’s flavors with the world.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/pfavico.ico)Mademoiselle Miel![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/file.png)](https://www.mademoisellemiel.com/product-page/cranberry-bar?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Mademoiselle Miel (Minnesota) [Tienda – Yojoa Chocolate![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/cropped-logo-horizontal-270x270.webp)Yojoa Chocolate![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/Chocolate-Yojoa-con-banano-curcuma-y-amaranto-1080-x-1350-px-300x300.png)](https://yojoachocolate.com/shop/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Yojoa (Honduras) 85% Dark. This is the link to the Honduran website – their products are available in the US, including at the[ DC Chocolate House](https://thechocolatehousedc.com/product-category/chocolate-bar-confections-collection/yojoa/?ref=thechocolatelife.com). Inquire about availability. --- These are the ones pushed to the 10th: [2i Cacao Bars2i Cacao Bars 2i stands for two ingredients and therefore we called ‘Cacao Bars’. You can experience all the healthy benefits of cacao and the different delicate flavors notes in each one of them. A minimum of 73% content of whole cacao and Biodynamic sugarcane juice dehydrated. Arauca Balanced flavors of tropical fru![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/FAVICON-cacaitos-png_32x32.png)Cacaitos![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/DE1DFB11-9AFE-43C7-A74C-8849E1B30C2F_1_105_c_1200x1200.jpg)](https://cacaitos.ca/products/cacaitos-chocolate-bar?variant=43739134394534&ref=thechocolatelife.com) Cacaitos (Canada) Chigorodó (Colombia) 73% two-ingredient [80% Tanzania Dark Chocolate2021 Good Food Award Winner2019 Gold Medal at Chocolate Salon Awards We have made a few 80% bars over the years but our favorite has been working with the folks at Kokoa Kamili in Tanzania. Kokoa Kamili works with 3000 smallholder farms and pays a premium directly to the farmers for their fresh cacao. Good for the farm![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/M-monogram_copy_180x180.jpg)MaverickChocolateMaverickChocolate![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/80TanzaniaDarkChocolateMaverickKokoaKamili_600x.jpg)](https://maverickchocolate.com/collections/chocolate-bars/products/80-dark-chocolate-2?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Maverick (Ohio) 80% Dark (Kokoa Kamili) [Les Chocolateries Askanya (Made at Origin, Haiti) | Peace on FifthAskanya is “on a mission to help our local farmers while making high-quality Haitian chocolate. From our humble start, we have grown into Haiti’s first bean-to-bar chocolate company. You made all this possible with your trust in us.”![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/icon_180x180_ios.png)Peace on Fifth![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/s378055810576945798_p68_i2_w1000.jpeg)](https://peaceonfifth.square.site/product/les-chocolateries-askanya-made-at-origin-haiti-/68?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false&ref=thechocolatelife.com) Askanya (Haiti) from Peace on Fifth (Ohio) 50% Dark [Home | Chocolat Inn & CaféBean to Bar Craft Chocolate, Small Batch Handcrafted Fine Chocolate![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/icon_180x180_ios_NzA1MD.png)Chocolat Inn & Café](https://chocolat-inn.square.site/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Chocolate Café (Rushville) 75% Dark w/ Bourbon 🍫 Not an exhibitor, but a winner in previous editions of the Craft Chocolat Challenge ... ****Sweets Escalier**’s (Japan) 60% (Chuao, Venezuela) Milk. Dustin has a **very* limited number of these bars – and other CCC winners – available for sale in his shop. Contact him via email if interested. ### **2024 Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival Title Sponsor** Dustin and I want to extend special thanks to Leila Carvajal and Cocoa Supply for their support of the inaugural edition of this festival – not just as the Title Sponsor but as an exhibitor, speaker, and champion for small chocolate makers around the globe and farmers. [Cocoa Supply - Wholesale Sustainable Cacao Products and Specialty IngredientsQuality and Sustainable Cacao and Specialty Ingredients for bakeries, restaurants, manufacturers, and chocolatiers.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/favicon%20CS.png)header-logo![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled_design_10__91309.1673852879.png)](https://cocoasupply.com/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) --- **Accommodations** The festival organizing committee, recognizing there weren’t many options when it came to hotels in Rushville (just one, actually), organized a network of homestay options for exhibitors and speakers. I was fortunate to have stayed in the Willkie House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. My host was the current owner, a direct descendant of Wendell Willkie and of the original owners. (The house was built in 1876 and is currently undergoing renovation.) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5937-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5928-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5925-Medium.jpeg) \[L\] Exterior on a post-snow Thursday morning. \[C\] Main stair and view into formal dining room. \[R\] Formal dining room. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5923-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5920-Medium.jpeg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2024/12/IMG_5919-Medium.jpeg) \[L\] The main parlor. \[C, R\] Two of the bedrooms. [Wendell Lewis Willkie House - Wikipedia![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/wikipedia.png)Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.Contributors to Wikimedia projects![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/1200px-Wendell_Lewis_Willkie_House.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell%5FLewis%5FWillkie%5FHouse?ref=thechocolatelife.com) For more than a decade, the house has opened its doors to artists and more visiting Rushville. Plans for the future include making the home available to groups, artists, musicians, and others (including us chocolate folk) visiting Rushville. It will *not* be opened as a B and B or AirBnB’d out. --- ### **Questions?** If you have questions or want to comment, you can do so during the episode or, if you are a ChocolateLife member, you can add them in the Comments below at ***any*** time. --- ### **Episode Hashtags and Related Accounts to Follow** #MCCF #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife Instagram: [Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival](https://www.instagram.com/midwestcraftchocolatefestival/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) [Cocoa Supply](https://www.instagram.com/cocoasupply/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) FB: [Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival](https://www.facebook.com/events/1174391727190297) Website: [Visit Rush County](https://www.visitrushcounty.com/events?ref=thechocolatelife.com) --- ### **Future Episodes** 🗓️ ****Friday, December 6th** ***December New**s featuring a recorded interview with Marc Donaldson about the EUDR, CSDDD, CSRD, ESRS, and more! If there is time for AMA I will field questions. 🗓️ ****Tuesday, December 10th** The Holiday Gifting episode featuring a tasting of offerings from Alter Eco and other makers along with a hardware recommendation for hot chocolate lovers ... and more. 🗓️ ****Friday, December 20th** Looking Back at 2024; Looking Forward to 2025 --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards, below. [Pod Save Chocolate Calendar and ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. #PodSaveChocolate!![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/11/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080-5.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/pod-save-chocolate-calendar-and-archive/) [#TheChocolateLifeLIVE ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/03/solen-feyissa-WG7v_wYZW4Q-unsplash-CalendarFeatured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/thechocolatelife-live-calendar/) [PodSaveChocolateHosted by Clay Gordon, the creator and moderator of TheChocolateLife.com, #PodSaveChocolate covers a wide variety of topics in the worlds of cocoa and chocolate. The video versions of this podcast are hosted and archived on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Click on the PodSaveChocolate link in the top nav on TheChocolateLife for the links to the post accompanying each episode.![](https://pnc.st/static/img/256x256.png)Pinecast![](https://social.pinecast.net/preview_card/podcasts/covers/d3730dca-0711-4720-9ef3-3b18918c1f0d/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080.jpg?title=PodSaveChocolate)](https://pnc.st/s/podsavechocolate?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Audio-only podcasts --- ## Not a Member? Live The Chocolate Life – Live La Vida Cocoa! Sign up for Free to comment and receive members-only content. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. 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