The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival's Mission

We envision a two-day celebration of craft chocolate, with a mission to build a stronger and more engaged chocolate community for both industry craftspeople and customers. 
 

We believe in fostering a community where chocolate lovers and makers alike can come together while honoring the planet and the people behind each confection. 
 

We want to raise awareness and appreciation for the cacao journey from farm to bar. 
 

We strive to empower consumers to make informed choices and support a transparent & sustainable chocolate industry.
 

Through a well-intentioned selection of chocolate tastings, educational seminars & workshops for attendees, combined with relaxing industry-only meals & tastings for chocolate vendors & speakers, we hope to make this festival a worthwhile experience for chocolate lovers AND industry vendors alike.

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About the Festival

 

Welcome to the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival, a celebration of chocolate set in Indiana’s agricultural heartland. A two-day event that brings cacao farmers and chocolate makers from across the globe to connect with the Midwestern community through stories of chocolate. Motivated by a mission to connect the world of chocolate to the communities who understand the land, this festival is more than an event–it’s a bridge between the Midwest farming traditions and the tropical farms where cacao is grown. 

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The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival was founded in 2024 by Dustin Cornett of the Chocolat Café and the nonprofit Heart of Rushville. Inspired by Rushville’s warm reception of his chocolate business, and supported by the town’s community and leadership, Dustin envisioned a festival as a gathering place. A gathering that would inspire meaningful connections, celebrate sustainable farming, and foster a deeper appreciation for the dedication behind each piece of chocolate. Drawing on his experience with the Craft Chocolat Challenge and his global network of chocolate makers, he and the town of Rushville reimagined what a chocolate festival could be.

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Now, with chocolate makers, chocolatiers, and farmers visiting from around the world, the festival offers an immersive experience through tastings, classes, and live demonstrations. Our event invites attendees to touch a fresh cacao pod, taste freshly made chocolate, and see the journey of the cacao bean, from farm to chocolate bar. Join us to explore, learn, and taste. We welcome you to connect with the world of chocolate in ways that may surprise you!