Salon du Chocolat, one of the world's largest chocolate festivals, originated in Paris, France. The theme for 2017, marking the 15th anniversary of its holding at Isetan, is "LaLaLa ChocoLat!" The venue and timing are two major changes this year. The venue has been moved to the Tokyo International Forum, boasting approximately 1.5 times the floor space of last year's Shinjuku NS Building. Approximately 100 brands from approximately 17 countries around the world will be featured. The event will be held from February 2nd to 5th, approximately two weeks later than the usual mid-January. Three limited-edition selection boxes will be available for the 15th annual Salon du Chocolat. The first is a special box titled "Le Gens du Chocolat | People of Chocolate," which focuses on chefs and makers and is inspired by the salon where they gather. Based on the theme of "cutting-edge" chocolate, the box contains cutting-edge chocolates from 15 chefs. The second is "Gateaux & Desserts | Sweets and Desserts," a box that represents French regional sweets and famous desserts in chocolate. The 10 chefs have been carefully selected with experience working in high-end restaurants and hotels, allowing customers to enjoy flavors from all over France. The third and final item is "Fleur | Flowers." 10 chefs who specialize in floral flavors have competed to convey the image of the surprise and joy felt when opening the box, like receiving a bouquet of flowers. The box, designed by François Jeantet, organizer of the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, adds to the gorgeousness of the box.

Salon du Chocolat also provides an opportunity to encounter brands that are not yet familiar to Japan, and in 2017, brands making their first appearance at Salon du Chocolat include Nicolas Bernarde, which has a store in the suburbs of Paris, THOMAS MULLER from Switzerland, BELLO&ANGELI from Toulouse, France, Francois Gimenez, which has its main store in Lyon, France, Le Chocolat d'Emmanuel Briet from the Champagne region of France, and Chocolatines, run by Japanese chocolatier Rieko Wada. At the press conference, a report was also made about the Salon du Chocolat held in Paris in October, and although no official announcement has been made, it was mentioned that around 500 people lined up from the morning on the day of the event. Negotiations have also been held with Patisserie La Verdure in Izumi Ward, Yokohama, which was awarded a Gold Tablet at the venue, and it was announced that seven Japanese Gold Tablet-winning shops will be lined up at the venue in February.