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It was a triple win for the Fairmont Orchid resort at the recent Big Island Chocolate Festival, taking Best Savory in both the judge’s and people’s choice divisions and Best Decorated Booth.

Presented in April by the Kona Cacao Association, the 12th annual festival was a three-day celebration of chocolate that included a guided farm tour, agriculture seminars, culinary demos, competitions and the festive gala.

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Creations by chefs, chocolatiers and culinary students were critiqued on taste, texture, appearance and creativity by a team of celebrity judges from Hawaii and the mainland during two days of competitions. Attendees voted for their favorite gala participants in the People’s Choice Awards at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort &Spa.

Fairmont’s winning culinary crew of Executive Pastry Chef Daniel Sampson, Giacomo Savia and Executive Chef Zaid Khan wowed the 400 gala attendees with Blackberry and Cocoa-Glazed Short Rib with Pickled Maui Onions and ‘Ulu Foam.

To depict the theme “Cirque de Chocolate-A Whimsical World of Chocolate Wonders,” Sampson donned a ringmaster hat while waving a trail of vapor amid circus signs and culinary treats issued with circus tickets.

Chef Helen Hong of the Mauna Lani took Best Plated Dessert with her standout White Chocolate &Strawberry offering.

Kohanaiki marked its first festival appearance with Head Pastry Chef Melina Ramirez and Chef Robert Gabriel earning the People’s Choice Award for Best Sweet.

Among six entries, Rivah Winter and Johann Besserer of Kona Restoration Farm in Honaunau earned Best Cacao Bean, while Leleaka was tied with Dylan Bunnell for Best Bean to Bar Chocolate. Judging these farm-based entries were Nat Bletter, Raven Hanna, Maddy Smith, Gini Choobua and Ann Tuomela.

For Friday’s college culinary competition, teams of students from Kapiolani Community College participated in the annual Student Plated Dessert Competiton. Earning first place was Tani Oshita and Desiree Fleming while Spencer Leung and Guylen Shimabukuro took second.

Retiring Chef Fernand Guiot, longtime instructor at Hawaii Community College-Palamanui, received a plaque in appreciation for his many years of service to local culinary students.

Additional festival winners are the 2025 beneficiaries: Kona Dance &Performing Arts, Hawaii Keiki Museum and ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association.

The mission and goal of KCA is to promote the cacao industry on the Big Island.