JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The inaugural Jacksonville Chocolate and Coffee Festival will take place Nov. 21–22 at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville.
The event will host more than 75 vendors, bringing together local and regional chocolate makers, specialty coffee roasters, gourmet food providers, and artisans under one roof.
The festival was developed by organizers Grace Berestecky and Lindsay Hill to establish a gathering centered on regional small businesses and community engagement. Berestecky outlined the motivation behind bringing the event to Northeast Florida.
“We wanted to create a unique event for the surrounding Jacksonville community of all ages to experience, together,” Berestecky said.
Hill, co-founder and organizer of the event, detailed the vision for establishing an ongoing presence in the area. “Our goal is to create an experience that is memorable, engaging and community-driven,” Hill said. “By bringing together specialty vendors, family-friendly activities and small businesses from across the Southeast, we hope this becomes a new annual tradition for Jacksonville.”
A central feature of the event will be George Washington’s Chocolate Table. The attraction will feature live chocolate sculpting by Chef Paul Joachim alongside a colonial chocolate tasting experience.
Beverage options will include coffee served by concessionaires Milanna Cafe and Brew and Bloom. Attendees can also participate in designated tasting experiences, including a chocolate and tea pairing with RiverSea Chocolates and True Honey Teas, as well as a chocolate and coffee pairing with Panthera Collective and Revel Coffee.
Family activities planned for the event include coffee filter crafts for children and photo opportunities with festival mascots Chunk and Bean. Complimentary parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the lot directly adjacent to Hall B.
The festival has partnered with Three Grains of Rice, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit organization that supports individuals and families facing food and housing insecurity, to host a community food drive. Attendees who bring food donations will receive a Joy FM tote bag while supplies last and entry into a giveaway for festival items.
The festival will take place in Hall B of the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center at 1000 Water St. On Saturday, Nov. 21, a VIP shopping hour will run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by general admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission hours on Sunday, Nov. 22, will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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