PANELISTS & SPEAKERS 2024 (Subject to Change)

ANNA VOLOSHYNA

Anna Voloshyna is a Ukrainian-American chef, food blogger, and author of the highly-acclaimed cookbook BUDMO! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen. Born and raised in Ukraine, Anna developed a deep appreciation for traditional Ukrainian cuisine and the importance of cooking with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. In addition to her food writing and various food photography projects, Anna Voloshyna also pursued formal culinary training at the San Francisco Cooking School, where she completed their rigorous Culinary Arts program. This experience allowed Anna to refine her techniques and expand her culinary knowledge, which she has since applied to her distinct cooking style.

Anna’s passion for Ukrainian and Eastern European food and her unique approach to cooking has earned her numerous accolades, including features in top food publications like The New York Times, The Wallstreet Journal, The Washington Post, All Recipes, Food and Wine, etc. In her cookbook, BUDMO!, Anna shares her love of Ukrainian cuisine with the world, offering readers a collection of delicious and innovative recipes inspired by her heritage.

 

BIRGITTE RASINE

A devoted chocophile and lover of natural foods, Birgitte Rasine coined the term "bioelder" in honor of the ancient cacao tree. Ever since the publication of her book "The Jaguar and the Cacao Tree," she has been inspiring scores of young readers (and their parents) to take their chocolate more seriously.

Birgitte is an award-winning author, journalist, producer, and entrepreneur whose work marries sustainability with storytelling, mobile apps with print books, and art with technology. She is the author of numerous literary works and articles, and has spoken on topics ranging from media to sustainability on three continents. Birgitte’s books and mobile apps have been recognized by design and publishing awards and honors from organizations such as the Eric Hoffer Award, International Academy of Visual Arts in Los Angeles, Press 53, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

 

ART POLLARD

Master Artisan Chocolate maker Art Pollard of Amano Artisan Chocolates, Utah.

Amano has won multiple chocolate awards in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Napa, Sacramento, London and beyond.

Located high in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain range in the heart of the Rockies, Amano is dedicated to creating some of the world’s most exquisite chocolate through traditional techniques. Amano means “by hand” and “they love” in Italian, and that describes the care and perfection that Amano brings to chocolate and in turn to the people who savor it. www.Amanochocolate.com

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CHOCOLATE BY THE BAY

Chocolate by the Bay (or CBTB for short) was started in 2009 by 4 friends who share a common love of good chocolate. We focus on local artisan chocolate in the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA) for this blog with the aim of promoting quality chocolate and its makers.

We also write about local artisan chocolatiers we discover in our travels, plus any chocolate news that catches our interest.

http://www.chocolatebythebay.com/magazine/

 

PETER LEE

PETER LEE
Rubia Coffee Company (COBA)
www.Coba.Coffee

Peter is an entrepreneur who started with a handbuilt roaster in his backyard and now, he is the founder and CEO of the premium coffee and tea bar company, COBA. Notably, Peter is combining third wave coffee culture with the artisanship behind premium chocolate. Having travelled the world for coffee, sourced, and roasted beans, and is the first food company backed by REI.

Previous speakers also appearing as Exhibitors at the Salon:

JOEY GARCIA

Joey Garcia is celebrating 20+ years as the Sacramento News & Review’s advice columnist.

She is the author of the award-winning book, “When Your Heart Breaks, It’s Opening to Love: healing and finding love after an affair, heartbreak or divorce,” and is Fox 40 TV’s Relationship Expert. Born in Belize, Joey learned about the healing power of chocolate from her Mayan grandmother.

www.joeygarcia.com

 

CHOCOLATE BY THE BAY

Chocolate by the Bay (or CBTB for short) was started in 2009 by 4 friends who share a common love of good chocolate. We focus on local artisan chocolate in the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA) for this blog with the aim of promoting quality chocolate and its makers.

We also write about local artisan chocolatiers we discover in our travels, plus any chocolate news that catches our interest.

http://www.chocolatebythebay.com/magazine/

 

DEFONCE CHOCOLATIER

Founded by a former Apple employee, their seed-to-bar artisanal chocolates set new high standards for the world of edible confections.

 

 

JENNIFER SUND

Jenn is Co-Owner/chocolatiers of Rainy Day Chocolate with Chris Sund. She is a Sonoma County local, with diverse employment backgrounds, a foodie obsession, and a desire for a better world: "We created Rainy Day Chocolate to bring real chocolate flavor to our Bay Area community and more.

Proudly part of the American Chocolate Revolution: It is our goal to awaken people to the true flavors available from Single-Origin Chocolate."

www.RainyDayChocolate.com

ALICE MEDRICH

Chocolate guru, author and entrepreneur ALICE MEDRICH to Present at the Salon, as well as sign copies of her new books, "Cocolat: Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts" and "Gluten Free Flavor Flours"

www.alicemedrich.com

PARTICIPATING PANELISTS & JUDGES

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