Home chefs put creativity to the test and make the world sweeter for West African cocoa farmers
Washington, DC- Divine Chocolate, the first farmer-owned Fair Trade chocolate brand, will launch a national recipe contest on October 15, 2007 to challenge chocolate lovers to use their culinary skills to improve the lives of West African cocoa farmers. The recipe contest is a fun and powerful way for conscientious consumers to work together with West African cocoa farmers to promote enterprising solutions to ending poverty such as Fair Trade.
“Many people couldn’t imagine life without chocolate. This is especially true for cocoa farmers in West Africa, where 70% of the world’s cocoa is produced. And while the U.S. chocolate market is worth about $13 billion, most cocoa farmers live in poverty, without access to things we take for granted - such as sufficient food, clean water and schools”, said Erin Gorman, CEO of Divine Chocolate in the USA.
Divine Chocolate makes a different life possible for the farmers of Kuapa Kokoo in Ghana, part-owners of the brand. Farmers get a Fair Trade price for their beans and an additional social premium that they invest in water wells, schools, medical care and
income generation projects for women. As owners of their own chocolate company, the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers’ Cooperative also receives a share in the profits and has a say in running the company.
“We’re hoping home chefs put their creativity to work and help make a delicious difference for cocoa farmers. Choosing Fair Trade chocolate like Divine is such an easy way to have a big impact,” said Gorman.
Judged on creativity, public appeal, taste and a personal statement answering the question, “Why are you Hungry to Change the World?”, three winners will be chosen.
The grand prize winner will travel to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremony and media event at Rock Creek Mazza Galleria, an upscale restaurant committed to mindful dining.
The judging panel includes chef Ris Lacoste, formerly of 1789 and Kinkead’s in Washington, D.C., entrepreneur, author and former Editor in Chief of Essence Magazine Monique Greenwood, social entrepreneur Robert Egger, Executive Director of DC Central Kitchen, Nycci Nellis from TheListAreYouOnIt.com, DC Councilman Kwame Brown and Clyde’s pastry chef Marion Pitcher.
Please visit www.divinechocolateusa.com for contest details, rules and prizes.