The Chocolate Chamber Marks a Successful US Chocolate Heritage Experience
The International Food & Beverage Association (IFBA) had the pleasure of convening with The Chocolate Chamber leadership during their recent United States engagements. The meeting brought together Hai Poh Cheong, IFBA President and Founder, with Raquel Toquero Choa, Chief Executive Officer of The Chocolate Chamber, and Edu Pantino, Managing Partner of The Chocolate Chamber and Cacao Educator at Atlas Restaurant and Bar, for a focused discussion on the organisation’s journey, expanding international footprint, and the importance of presenting Filipino cacao heritage through immersive, education-driven experiences.
Expanding Beyond Borders
From that dialogue, the United States leg of The Chocolate Chamber’s Chocolate Heritage Experience was framed as more than a showcase—it emerged as a landmark convening of culinary heritage, craft, and cultural diplomacy. Anchored by engagements attended by industry leaders and community partners, the programme reinforced a clear direction amid growing global interest in origin-led storytelling: Filipino cacao would be positioned not only as a product, but as a heritage worthy of global attention.
IFBA Perspective and Strategic Alignment
Building on the IFBA-led dialogue, attention turned to how The Chocolate Chamber can translate the momentum of its international engagements into repeatable, partner-ready programmes—formats that can travel across cities while maintaining quality, narrative coherence, and operational consistency. From IFBA’s standpoint, the strength of the initiative lies in its ability to function simultaneously as cultural programming and an industry-facing experience.
The discussion also addressed practical collaboration pathways—how consulates, hospitality groups, educators, and venue partners can participate through clearly defined roles, curated modules, and measurable outcomes. IFBA’s role in this context is to help bridge cultural storytelling with the expectations of international F&B stakeholders: credible positioning, professional standards, and relationships that support continuity beyond a single tour.
Major Milestones Announced at the 2025 Edition
Strategic Partnerships and International Cooperation
With that alignment in place, The Chocolate Chamber’s US experience is positioned as a launch point for deeper cross-border engagement—supporting future collaborations, strengthening stakeholder networks, and building a pipeline for heritage education initiatives that can scale without losing authenticity.
Positioning Filipino Cacao Heritage on a Global Stage
Filipino cacao has long been part of the country’s cultural fabric—most notably through tsokolate and the tablea tradition that continues to anchor family tables, community gatherings, and regional hospitality. In recent years, that heritage has also emerged as a compelling platform for culinary diplomacy, craft education, and destination storytelling, as international audiences show growing interest in origin, authenticity, and the people behind the product.
Against this backdrop, The Chocolate Chamber completed a multi-city Chocolate Heritage Trunk Show across the United States, positioning Philippine cacao not only as an ingredient, but as a living tradition with a contemporary global voice. The journey served as both an audience-building effort and a strategic milestone—strengthening the organisation’s international footprint while reinforcing its commitment to farmer communities and cultural preservation.
Carrying a National Story Beyond Borders
The US engagements also reflected a wider shift in how craft chocolate brands are building relevance: through experiential learning, cross-industry collaboration, and immersive programming that bridges gastronomy, art, and heritage. The Chocolate Chamber’s approach—rooted in Filipino identity and elevated through curated experiences—demonstrated how cacao can carry a national story into new markets with credibility and warmth.
A Multi-City Chocolate Heritage Journey
The Chocolate Heritage Trunk Show journeyed across key US cities—including New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Utah—hosting a series of chocolate-themed activities that celebrated Filipino cacao, culture, and craftsmanship. The visit was extended to complete organisational and administrative requirements in California, resulting in the formal registration of The Chocolate Chamber LLC in Los Angeles, complementing its existing registration as The Chocolate Chamber Pte Ltd in Singapore, as strategic plans were concurrently developed for the brand’s 2026 initiatives.
This milestone journey was made possible through the support of consulates, collaborators, and close partners of The Chocolate Chamber family, with special recognition to collaborators in Utah such as Utah Valley University, Aspenwood Manor, Taste 117 Chocolate, and Google New York, whose collective efforts helped bring the Chocolate Heritage experience to life.
A Landmark Moment for Filipino Chocolate in the United States
The Chocolate Heritage Trunk Show in the United States was met with resounding success, attracting members of the diplomatic corps, government representatives, culinary professionals, chocolate makers, business owners, and media. Among its key achievements was the introduction of international audiences to the rich tradition of Filipino chocolate beverages—presented through The Chocolate Chamber’s distinctive flair and craftsmanship.
Guests experienced the brand’s signature tablea, artisanal chocolate bars, and innovative cacao-infused creations through thoughtfully curated demonstrations that vividly brought Filipino chocolate culture to life. From interactive tastings to hands-on workshops, participants engaged deeply with cacao as both a cultural artifact and a contemporary culinary medium.
A Cultural Bridge Built Through Cacao Heritage
As Mr Cheong noted,
“When people taste Filipino cacao in its traditional form, they’re not just sampling a flavour—they’re encountering a story of place, people, and practice.” He added, “The strength of this programme is how it turns heritage into an experience—something audiences can participate in, not just consume.” Reflecting on the tour’s broader impact, he observed, “What The Chocolate Chamber is building is bigger than a product showcase; it’s a cultural bridge that makes Philippine cacao legible and exciting on a global stage.”
Audiences were also captivated by the “Beyond Chocolate” artworks of cacao artist John Paul, which celebrated the creative possibilities of Philippine cacao beyond traditional forms.
Beyond Chocolate: Building Culture and Community Connections
The events encouraged meaningful exchanges with distributors, restaurant and café operators, and hospitality stakeholders, contributing to ongoing dialogue and future collaboration opportunities. Beyond commerce, the trunk show served as a powerful platform for cultural exchange—elevating global awareness of Philippine cacao heritage and reinforcing The Chocolate Chamber’s role in craft chocolate education.
Adding further depth to the experience was the Cacao Soirée, a beyond-chocolate dinner held in Utah in collaboration with Taste 117 Chocolate and Aspenwood Manor. Conceived in response to recent earthquakes and floods, the soirée rallied support for farmer-members of the FCCT Cooperative, underscoring The Chocolate Chamber’s belief that chocolate can serve both as a cultural expression and a vehicle for social good.
The Chocolate Chamber Mission
→ At the heart of The Chocolate Chamber’s journey is a deep commitment to preserving and sharing the rich chocolate heritage of the Philippines. Guided by a passion for craft and excellence, the organisation celebrates Filipino cacao—from bean to beverage—through artisanal chocolate creations, immersive experiences, and educational programmes developed in collaboration with consulates and cultural and business partners around the world.
By blending tradition with innovation, The Chocolate Chamber honours the legacy of Philippine chocolate-making while positioning it on the global stage, inviting international audiences to taste, learn, and experience the unique story of Filipino cacao. As a tourism-driven brand, The Chocolate Chamber further enriches this mission by offering previews of its chocolate-themed activities, inspiring global audiences to discover Cebu and explore the broader cultural and culinary wonders of the Philippines.
Purpose of the Trip and Program Rationale
→ The Chocolate Heritage Trunk Show was conceived to share the story of Filipino cacao and chocolate-drinking traditions with international audiences through curated, educational, and experiential activities. Through tastings, demonstrations, and cultural exchanges, The Chocolate Chamber introduced its chocolate heritage concepts while engaging chefs, educators, hospitality professionals, and community partners.
The journey reinforced The Chocolate Chamber’s commitment to heritage preservation, cultural diplomacy, and the promotion of Philippine cacao as a meaningful expression of both tradition and creativity—an evolution clearly reflected in the organisation’s growing international footprint following its US engagements.
Sustaining Momentum Ahead to 2026
With the US Chocolate Heritage Experience concluded, the focus shifts from a successful run of engagements to what becomes possible next. The Chocolate Chamber leaves the programme with stronger stakeholder connections, a clearer international operating base, and a touring format that has proven it can travel across cities while holding audience attention and industry interest.
IFBA views this momentum as most valuable when it is channelled into continuity—refined modules, clear partnership roles, and standards that allow the experience to scale across markets while remaining faithful to origin. In that context, the US engagements served as proof of concept for a format that can travel without losing its identity.
Looking ahead to 2026 initiatives, the next chapter is best defined by disciplined expansion—deepening cross-border partnerships, refining delivery, and sustaining the network forming around The Chocolate Chamber’s education and experience platform, with IFBA continuing to support dialogue where it adds value through industry linkage and strategic convening.
The Chocolate Heritage Trunk Show Highlights
Upcoming Events
