What a year! 2023 in review

So this week, something a bit different. We’d like to step back and reflect on the most important, impactful, and intriguing things that have happened at Cocoa Runners, and in the world of craft chocolate.

It’s been a huge year, and we couldn’t possibly cover everything… but we hope you’ll indulge us with the chance to try!

Around the craft chocolate world

In this post-covid world, it’s been wonderful to have the freedom to travel again, and for the craft chocolate community to congregate.

Spencer had a great time at this summer’s Eurobean Festival, at Rochsburg Castle in Germany. It was a global gathering of craft chocolate makers and enthusiasts, with great talks, fantastic company, and amazing volunteers; all assembled by Choco Del Sol‘s Peggy and Patrick, and their team.

Then in October, team Cocoa Runners headed back for the 2nd annual instalment of Chocolat Portugal, in Porto. Spencer, Gen, and Mika all participated in tastings and talks. …And watch this space for some developments catalysed by >20 makers assembling!

Back on home turf

And back in London, Cocoa Runners HQ has been a hive of activity. We’ve had a jam-packed schedule for our in-person tastings at our office in Farringdon. Spencer and Gen now host these regularly, and a whole range of wonderful people have come through our doors to share in our delight with craft chocolate.

But we’re also very grateful for some special guest appearances. Over the course of the year, we’ve been honoured to have so many friends pop in; from craft makers like Pedro Araújo and Björn Becker, to advocates who share our mission like Amelia Rope and Nettie Atkisson, to insightful experts like Kristy Leissle and Peter McCombie.

We also recently hosted a craft chocolate fair, at Fidelio Cafe, just around the corner. It’s the first of what we hope are many such events. Makers from across the UK came over to share their Christmas wares. And we had a smashing line-up of guest speakers for talks and tastings about cheese, coffee, wine, and more! Such a lovely way to round off the year.

Issues and impact

Unfortunately, the world hasn’t always been quite so rosy this year. Cocoa and chocolate are so internationalist, that we can’t help but be affected by global issues.

The war in Ukraine tragically still grinds along. But we’re so proud of Tetyana and Ruslan of Stranger Chocolate, for continuing to make exceptional chocolate in exceptional circumstances.

And some very dark news came from Uganda this year, where the government has enacted some of the world’s harshest laws against the LGBTQIA+ community; extending as far as the death penalty for “homosexual activities”. But in the midst of the darkness has been a ray of light; the great initiative by our friends at Dormouse Chocolate to support The Rainbow Railroad. They crafted a fantastic Ugandan bar, and used the sales to support a charity which helps LGBTQIA+ people escape persecution.

The inside story

It’s been a big year for Cocoa Runners too!

2023 is our 10th anniversary. In 2013, Simon and Spencer ran a stall to launch our craft chocolate subscriptions, with a handful of makers. Here we are, a decade later, having tasted thousands of bars, and made the amazing world of craft chocolate more accessible for tens of thousands of people.

Of course, a lot has changed in 10 years, but this year specifically has seen some big changes at Cocoa Runners. Earlier in the year, we were sad to say ‘goodbye’ to Hannah, who had been with us since 2021, but delighted to say ‘welcome’ to Gen, who is our new marketing director.

It’s also been wonderful having help from Maia, Nina, and Hoi this year, who have been invaluable in managing products, organising the website, and running events.

Brand new

Longtime fans will have noticed our makeover this year. With thanks to the innovators at UnitedUs in Brighton, we’ve launched a whole new visual brand, as well as a redesigned website.

Our website has been a great success, and it lets us better achieve our mission of connecting people with the amazing flavours of craft chocolate and the compelling stories from the cocoa world.

And of course, our library of bars never stops growing! This year we’ve taken on new makers including Lumineux, Choco Del Sol, and Table Chocolate. But we’ve even expanded our horizons, and gone ‘beyond the bar’ with some of our existing makers.

Marou’s and Ruket’s new neapolitans make craft chocolate even easier to share; something we strongly encourage. And we’re increasingly excited to see (and sell) makers branching out into the world of truffles and filled chocolate.

All in all, it’s been an eventful year!

We’re so grateful for your support, and we can’t wait to share craft chocolate adventures with you in 2024.

But what have been your chocolate highlights this year? Let us know the best bars you tasted (or the worst!), or interesting things you’ve learned (next week we’ll send you a summary of some of the ones we’ve most enjoyed).

And in the meantime; we wish you a wonderful festive period. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, we hope craft chocolate and phenomenal flavours will be a part of it.

Happy holidays!

Keep savouring!

– The Cocoa Runners team

p.s. It’s still not too late to order virtual products like subscription or tasting vouchers, to send as a gift by email.