Mangalore's Only Chocolate Festival
Fifth edition of NICO’s Chocolate Street, Mangalore’s only Chocolate Festival, held
Nitte Institute of Communication held the fifth edition of NICO’s Chocolate Street on May 11th & 12th at Fiza by Nexus, Pandeshwar. A student-run initiative, it is a looked forward event by both students and chocolatiers alike, as it provides local talent to exhibit and sell their home-made goodies. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Durai Arun Prasath Selvam, Group Learning and Development Manager, Ocean Pearl Hotels Private Limited, and Mr. Roshan Kolar, Assistant Director (Branding), Nitte University. Addressing the gathering Durai said how to him, chocolate is an emotion. He advised students to have a vision and a core set of principles which would guide them at every stage of their careers. He praised NICO's efforts to identify and provide a platform to the bakers and chocolatiers of Mangalore. Speaking next, Roshan Kolar said while he is not aware of the process behind chocolate-making, it is an inevitable part of his life. He described chocolate as a therapeutic drug and a way to destress. In keeping with Chocolate Festival tradition, a two-tiered cake was cut to officially announce the opening of the festival.
In the course of two days, 23 small businesses, chocolatiers and home bakers showcased their chocolate-based treats. A range of baked and non-baked goodies were on display, including chocolate balls, lollipops, brownies, cupcakes, chocolate cakes, savoury breads and cookies. This year, a booth offering coastal-style pickles, handicrafts, crochet and handmade jewellery was also present. In the evening, the much-appreciated Open Mic was back, where performers of all ages showcased their skills in song or dance. Fun games were organised for the audience, making them feel involved in the event.
Fourth edition of NICO’s Chocolate Street, Mangalore’s only Chocolate Festival, held
NICO’s Chocolate Street, Mangalore’s only Chocolate Festival was inaugurated on Saturday, 29th April, 2023 at Fiza by Nexus, Mangaluru by Ruth Dsouza Prabhu, Bangalore based Independent features journalist, and Prof (Dr) Shantaram Shetty, Pro Chancellor, Nitte DU. Prof Raviraj, Head, Nitte Institute of Communication spoke a few words on the Chocolate Festival’s journey so far while welcoming the gathering.
Calling the festival innovative, Dr Shantaram Shetty went on to share how he keeps a bar of chocolate in his pocket whenever he has to meet a young patient. Chocolate is an instant ice-breaker making conversation that much easier, he said.
Ruth Dsouza Prabhu a features journalist with over two decades of experience in the print medium has had her articles featured in some of the world’s leading publications, The New York Times, Al Jazeera, The National apart from top Indian magazines like Conde Nast Traveller, Architectural Digest, and been on the panel of prestigious F&B Awards such as the Epicurean Guild Awards by Living Foodz Channel, Conde Nast Restaurant Awards, BW Hotelier Awards, and The Week Restaurant Awards.
Addressing the gathering she said she was amazed and impressed with how baking and chocolate making which in the Nineties was largely a home-based activity, is now a thriving industry and the number of entrepreneurs displaying their homemade goodies was proof. She lauded the students of NICO for coming up with this interesting idea.
In keeping with tradition, the festival was declared open with the cutting of the cake by the dignitaries.
The fourth edition of the Chocolate Festival saw 36 home-based chocolatiers showcasing their chocolate-based goodies over two days. The chocolatiers came from in and around the city and on sale were brownies, frosted cupcakes, rich chocolate cakes, cookies apart from a stall for chocolate-based skincare products and another for artisanal chocolates (hand made using jaggery, preservative free) from neighbouring Puttur.
Evenings saw the popular Open Mic back again with people of all age groups displaying their talent, through song or dance. The photo booth was a draw with visitors posing, clicking pictures and sharing on social media.
Dushyant Shetty, student coordinator for the event introduced the Chief Guests and Arya Chowta, also student coordinator delivered the vote of thanks. Prakash K, Faculty Coordinator was present.
The event received wide publicity on social media.
Third edition of NICO's Chocolate Street
Mangalore’s only Chocolate Festival, NICO’s Chocolate Street was organised by the final BA students of Nitte Institute of Communication at Forum Fiza Mall on 21st and 22nd May 2022. This is the third edition of the festival and attracted large numbers over the two day period. The Chocolate Festival which began in 2018, provides a platform for home-based chocolatiers to display and sell their goodies.
The event was inaugurated by Chef Shriya Shetty, Co-Founder Buttercream Co and Partner, Pupkins Hospitality, who spoke of her journey which began as a home-based chocolatier a few years ago, and applauded the students on providing these ladies with an opportunity to showcase their talents. Prof (Dr) Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, Vice Chancellor, Nitte DU in his presidential address, lauded the efforts of students in organising an event of this magnitude.
The evening of Day One saw RJ Ajay and RJ Anushree from Radio Mirchi doing an on-ground activation at the venue. A total of 30 chocolatiers from all over Mangalore participated in the event.
Day Two saw an Open Mic session where students and the citizens of Mangalore displayed their talents in singing, poetry recital, miming and Baila. Enthusiastic performance marked both days as people patronised the stalls in large numbers resulting in the goodies being sold out by 7.00 in the evening. The two-day event saw footfalls of over 2000, with the chocolatiers thanking the students and promising to come back next year.
Second edition of NICO's Chocolate Street
After successfully hosting the first edition of the Chocolate Festival, NICO's Chocolate Street, students of Nitte Institute of Communication organised the second edition of the two-day chocolate festival on 30th and 31st March 2019 at Forum Fiza Mall in Mangaluru. This event was conducted by BA (final year) students as part of their curriculum, the subject being Event Management.
As in the previous year, this year too, the festival provided a platform for home-based chocolatiers to display and sell their homemade chocolate-based goodies. A total of 23 home-based chocolatiers participated in the festival, displaying and selling their homemade goodies.
The festival was inaugurated by Chef Vinu, of Taj Manjarun. Dr Anirban Chakraborthy, Deputy Director, Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research (NUCSER), presided over the event.
The highlight of the event was a live demonstration of chocolate making by Chef Manish of The Lalit, Bekal. The festival saw enthusiastic participation by the general public.
Nitte Institute of Communication hosts Mangalore's first-ever Chocolate Festival, NICO's Chocolate Street.
As part of their studies in Event Management, students of Nitte Institute of Communication organised Mangalore's first-ever Chocolate Festival, NICO's Chocolate Street on 7th and 8th April 2018 at Forum Fiza Mall. Ms Anita Jesuman, AGM, Chocolate Division, CAMPCO inaugurated the event and Ms Sai Prasanna Hegde, Deputy Director (Admissions & Administration) presided.
A total of 11 home based Chocolatiers - Amy's Cakes, Fajju's Kitchen, Pogo's Kitchen, Amortentia Patisserie, Cakery, Meeti Cakes, Cynful Chocolates, Kamala Satish, Jeane D'Souza, Maya Roche, Sheeba Shetty and two established names, Campco and Baker's Treat, Falnir, participated.
The festival aimed at providing a platform to home-based chocolatiers and was successful in getting good footfalls over the weekend. Forum Fiza Mall was the venue partner for the event.
