It’s “Chocolate in Paradise” for the 13th Big Island Chocolate Festival on April 23-25.

New this year is a free Chocolate Farmers Market showcasing local cacao growers and chocolate makers. In addition, the annual free college student chocolate competition is open to spectators. Think “Master Chef” college-style.

“These students are the future chefs of Hawaii,” Farsheed Bonakdar, president of the Kona Cacao Association, said in a press release. “They will show their skills and creativity to produce plated desserts that will be critiqued by a panel of high-octane chefs. The fruits of this competition can only be beneficial for our food service industry, which caters largely to our tourism industry.”

In addition, Bonakdar adds the students will further benefit by attending culinary demonstrations during the festival, which are also open to the public. “It’s a win-win for these young people to meet and learn from top-caliber chefs.”

Festival activities kick off Thursday, April 23, with a plantation tour at Konaʻs Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory before continuing Friday, April 24, at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa for the Chocolate Farmers Market, college competition and cacao farming and processing seminars. Culinary tasting demonstrations are Saturday, April 25, culminating with the fun fundraising gala and silent auction.

The indoors and outside evening gala offers walkabout booths for savory and sweet chocolate-inspired culinary creations. Enjoy speciality mocktails, unlimited beer and wine — including poured selections by Volcano Winery — plus a colossal chocolate fountain with fresh fruit and pastries.

The 5:30 to 9 p.m. gala opens with a traditional blessing and includes Peopleʻs Choice voting, edible chocolate “portraits,” a photo booth, silent auction and DJ with dancing. An awards presentation will celebrate winners of the student competition, Peopleʻs Choice and Best Cacao Bean.

All event tickets and packages are sold online at bigislandchocolatefestival.com. General admission gala tickets are $109. A VIP experience with three special pupus and beverage pairings, private wine bar and reserved table seating is available for $179 — limited tickets available.

The silent auction bidding opens online noon April 21 to benefit 2026 nonprofit beneficiaries: Kona Dance and Performing Arts, ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Assoc., and participating culinary students.