The 12th annual Grenada Chocolate Festival officially opened at Belmont Estate, celebrating Grenadian cocoa, culture, and sustainability under the theme “Embracing the Flavours of Rum and Spices: Roots of Resilience.”
This year’s theme honours the journey of Grenada’s fine flavour cocoa from its rich agricultural heritage to its rising influence in global artisan chocolate markets.
Founded in 2014 by Magdalena Fielden, the festival has evolved into an internationally respected platform for highlighting Grenada’s unique cocoa legacy. The opening day reflected this evolution with an inspiring blend of tradition and innovation, featuring cultural performances, thought-provoking dialogue, and culinary artistry.
The day began at Belmont Estate’s conference room with a vibrant cultural welcome, including expressive monologues on Grenadian spices and a lively dance performance by the estate’s restaurant team. This set the tone for the feature event of the day, the Cocoa Sustainability Forum.
The forum was honoured by the distinguished presence of Hon. Kerryne James, Minister for Climate Resilience, Environment, and Renewable Energy, who delivered the keynote address and participated as a lead panellist. Her remarks underscored the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and adapting to environmental realities. “We’ve been taking a government and sector-wide approach to raise awareness among our farmers,” the minister stated. “While traditional practices passed down by our foreparents have served us well, the climate is changing — and so must our techniques. These changes don’t have to erase what we know, but they must adapt to today’s environmental realities.”
Co-moderated by Kason Charles of the Ministry of Agriculture and Shadel Nyack Compton of Belmont Estate, the forum explored the theme “Challenges, Choices, and the Future of Cocoa Sustainability in Grenada.” It featured a diverse panel of experts and stakeholders, including Lauren St Louis and Sherwyn Joseph from the Ministry of Agriculture; Daniel Lewis, Agronomist and Government Consultant; Samuel Brathwaite of the Grenada Cocoa Association; William Castro of the International Trade Centre; Kirl Grant-Hoschtialek of the Grenada Tourism Authority; Robert Branch of the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office, and Afia Joseph of the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
Discussions ranged from climate resilience and sustainable land use to youth involvement, farmer livelihoods, and international trade policies, particularly the EU’s cadmium and deforestation regulations. The forum also highlighted Grenada’s pursuit of Geographical Indication (GI) status and progress on supporting national GI legislation. To extend its reach, the session was live-streamed on Belmont Estate’s Facebook page.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Nyack Compton remarked, “Cocoa is more than a crop — it’s identity, livelihood, and legacy. Today was about creating space for dialogue and connection — both essential to shaping our future.” Charles added, “We saw real collaboration between research, policy, and practice. The future of cocoa in Grenada depends on this kind of unity and knowledge sharing.”
Throughout the forum, it became clear that sustainability must be addressed holistically — through environmental stewardship, social empowerment, and economic viability. The forum was not intended to solve every challenge, but it served as a meaningful starting point for alignment and cross-sector collaboration.
Following the forum, guests enjoyed a lunch that showcased Grenada’s culinary excellence, with dishes infused with chocolate and spices. In the afternoon, the Rum and Chocolate Pairing Experience, hosted by Westerhall Estate and the Grenada Chocolate Company, offered guests an expertly curated tasting that highlighted the harmony between local rums and artisan chocolate.
Later in the day, Mario Cantoral of Mexico led a demonstration on traditional cacao beverages rooted in family heritage. His session created a rich cultural exchange, drawing parallels between cocoa traditions in Latin America and Grenada.
The day concluded with an engaging hands-on workshop led by the Belmont Estate Fine Chocolate team. Participants made bonbons, dipped fresh fruit in chocolate, and crafted their own chocolate bark, gaining a deeper appreciation for the artistry involved in cocoa transformation.
Running alongside the day’s activities was a mini-bazaar featuring a diverse selection of locally made products and artisanal goods, giving attendees the opportunity to support Grenadian entrepreneurs and creatives.
Among the most touching moments was a heartfelt tribute to Magdalena Fielden, the festival’s founder, in recognition of her pioneering vision and unwavering commitment to Grenadian cocoa. “Magdalena has brought Grenadian chocolate to the world — and the world to Grenadian chocolate,” said Nyack Compton. “She has redefined how we celebrate our culture and industry. For that, we are truly grateful.”
Fielden expressed her thanks for the award and extended heartfelt appreciation to the many individuals, organisations, and supporters who make the festival possible each year.
The event also reaffirmed Belmont Estate’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainable cocoa production, centred on land stewardship, farmer well-being, and long-term industry viability. “Sustainability is not a catchphrase for us — it’s our core philosophy,” said Nyack Compton. “We are proud to nurture resilience in Grenada’s cocoa industry.”
The Grenada Chocolate Festival continues throughout the week with immersive experiences, workshops, and tastings across the island, staying true to its mission to honour, educate, and elevate Grenadian cocoa.
For more information, visit https://www.grenadachocolatefest.com/.
Belmont Estate