PANELISTS & SPEAKERS
ART POLLARD
Master Artisan Chocolate maker Art Pollard of Amano Artisan Chocolates, Utah.
Amano has won multiple chocolate awards in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Napa, Sacramento, London and beyond.
Located high in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain range in the heart of the Rockies, Amano is dedicated to creating some of the world’s most exquisite chocolate through traditional techniques. Amano means “by hand” and “they love” in Italian, and that describes the care and perfection that Amano brings to chocolate and in turn to the people who savor it. www.Amanochocolate.com
PETER LEE
PETER LEE
Rubia Coffee Company (COBA)
www.Coba.Coffee
Peter is an entrepreneur who started with a handbuilt roaster in his backyard and now, he is the founder and CEO of the premium coffee and tea bar company, COBA. Notably, Peter is combining third wave coffee culture with the artisanship behind premium chocolate. Having travelled the world for coffee, sourced, and roasted beans, and is the first food company backed by REI.
BIRGITTE RASINE
A devoted chocophile and lover of natural foods, Birgitte Rasine coined the term "bioelder" in honor of the ancient cacao tree. Ever since the publication of her book "The Jaguar and the Cacao Tree," she has been inspiring scores of young readers (and their parents) to take their chocolate more seriously.
Birgitte is an award-winning author, journalist, producer, and entrepreneur whose work marries sustainability with storytelling, mobile apps with print books, and art with technology. She is the author of numerous literary works and articles, and has spoken on topics ranging from media to sustainability on three continents. Birgitte’s books and mobile apps have been recognized by design and publishing awards and honors from organizations such as the Eric Hoffer Award, International Academy of Visual Arts in Los Angeles, Press 53, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
OTHER PARTICIPATING PANELISTS & JUDGES
- TBA SHORTLY