The Paris-based chocolate festival, Salon du Chocolat, has announced that its 17th annual event, Salon du Chocolat 2019, will be held from January 23rd to 29th, 2019. The theme for this year's event is "Chocolate is a Gift of Nature!" 112 brands will participate, 20 of which will be participating for the first time, including Switzerland's Mr. & Mrs. Renoux, Paris's Choco², and Israel's IKA Chocolate. Eight brands, including France's Franck Fresson, will also be returning for the first time since 2011. Last year, advance ticket sales for designated dates and times were introduced to shorten wait times and reduce crowding. This year's event will be held again to ensure smooth sales and safety. Same-day tickets will also be available on weekdays after 3:00 PM.

The annual Selection Box features three boxes created by a team of talented and popular top chefs. Each box is filled with chocolates created based on the themes of "Nature," "Fruit," and "HAKKO," each with their own interpretation.

The "Nature" selection box features 16 leading chefs from Salon du Chocolat competing under the theme of "ingredients the chefs are passionate about."

Frédéric Awecker's "Padianne" in the "Nature" selection box


The "Fruit" selection box is themed around fruit, and features a set of 12 varieties that allow you to enjoy the combination of various fruits, cacao, and chocolate.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc's "Grillotte" included in the "Fruit" selection box.

Sébastien Bouillet's "Passion" will be included in the "HAKKO" selection box.

In addition, this year's menu will be packed with items that can only be enjoyed at the venue. Approximately 60 items from 35 brands, nearly double last year's number, are scheduled to be sold for takeout and eat-in. "We've increased the enjoyment of visiting Salon du Chocolat and tasting the food. We'll also be introducing dishes that even those with a savory appetite can enjoy, such as Chef Ota Tetsuo's meat dish stewed in chocolate and red wine, and onion gratin," said Mano Shigeo, buyer at Salon du Chocolat.

Admission tickets will be on sale at the digital ticket service "Yahoo! JAPAN Pass Market" from 11:00 AM on December 1st to 11:00 AM on December 16th for MI Cart members, and from 11:00 AM on January 6th, 2019 for the general public. For more information, please visit the Salon du Chocolat Japan official website (www.salon-du-chocolat.jp).