Barry Callebaut opens Chocolate Academy in South Africa

Johannesburg location is Callebaut’s 21st center, first in Africa.

Barry Callebaut Group has opened a Chocolate Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa. The facility will support chocolatiers and pastry chefs with training. Photo from Barry Callebaut.

The Barry Callebaut Group has opened a Chocolate Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, the group’s 21st academy and its first on the African continent.

“Not only are we celebrating a milestone for Barry Callebaut, but this marks a special moment for the South African chocolate industry,” said David Bowrin, Barry Callebaut sales director for Southeast Africa. “It reaffirms our commitment to the South African market. The Chocolate Academy center is an invaluable asset to South African chocolate professionals and artisans, offering endless possibilities in all the aspects related to chocolate and cocoa products. We are taking the local chocolate spirit to new heights.”

The Chocolate Academy centers offer teaching and training to artisans and professionals seeking to improve their skills in chocolate and learn about new trends, techniques and recipes. More than 500 interested craftsmen attend events at Chocolate Academy centers worldwide..

South African-born Minette Smith will lead the Chocolate Academy in Johannesburg with a strong commitment to elevate and innovate chocolate skills throughout South Africa.

“The Chocolate Academy center is a magnificent environment, not only for chefs, but also for everyone who has a passion for chocolate,” Smith said. “The environment in the Chocolate Academy center will offer world-class support, enabling customers to harness their skills to bring the best innovations in chocolate,” says Minette Smith.

The new academy will host master classes with a strong focus on chocolate fundamentals. Specialty master classes will also be offered, and during these classes, talented chefs and industry experts from around the world will be able to share their passion, innovative ideas and expertise around chocolate.

While being globally aligned with the other 20 Chocolate Academy centers around the world, the the South African center will also provide a forum for dialogue with customers through customer-focused demonstrations, innovation workshops as well as inspirational, branded events.

Alyse Thompson has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry Magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served as managing editor of Cannabis Products Magazine since March 2019. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.