PANELISTS & SPEAKERS 2025 (Subject to Change)

ANNA VOLOSHYNA

Anna Voloshyna is a Ukrainian-American chef, food blogger, and author of the highly-acclaimed cookbook BUDMO! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen. Born and raised in Ukraine, Anna developed a deep appreciation for traditional Ukrainian cuisine and the importance of cooking with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. In addition to her food writing and various food photography projects, Anna Voloshyna also pursued formal culinary training at the San Francisco Cooking School, where she completed their rigorous Culinary Arts program. This experience allowed Anna to refine her techniques and expand her culinary knowledge, which she has since applied to her distinct cooking style.

Anna’s passion for Ukrainian and Eastern European food and her unique approach to cooking has earned her numerous accolades, including features in top food publications like The New York Times, The Wallstreet Journal, The Washington Post, All Recipes, Food and Wine, etc. In her cookbook, BUDMO!, Anna shares her love of Ukrainian cuisine with the world, offering readers a collection of delicious and innovative recipes inspired by her heritage.

 

MICHAEL RECCHIUTI

Michael Recchiuti is a master chocolatier and the visionary behind Recchiuti Confections, a renowned San Francisco-based artisanal chocolate company. With a passion for blending traditional European techniques with innovative flavor pairings, Recchiuti has elevated chocolate-making into an art form. Since founding his company in 1997, he has been celebrated for his meticulous craftsmanship, using only the finest ingredients to create confections that balance complexity and elegance. His signature burnt caramel truffles and adventurous flavor infusions have earned him a devoted following, solidifying his reputation as one of the most respected chocolatiers in the industry.​

Recchiuti’s contributions to the culinary world have been widely recognized. His book, “Chocolate Obsession,” co-authored with pastry expert Fran Gage, was a finalist at the 2006 James Beard Awards and received high honors for photography and design at the 2006 International Association of Culinary Professionals annual conference. Additionally, he was honored by the Fine Chocolate Industry Association for his outstanding contribution as a fine chocolatier

 

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.

Previous speakers also appearing as Exhibitors at the Salon:

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

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CHOCOLATE BY THE BAY

Chocolate by the Bay (or CBTB for short) was started in 2009 by 4 friends who share a common love of good chocolate. We focus on local artisan chocolate in the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA) for this blog with the aim of promoting quality chocolate and its makers.

We also write about local artisan chocolatiers we discover in our travels, plus any chocolate news that catches our interest.

http://www.chocolatebythebay.com/magazine/

 

DEFONCE CHOCOLATIER

Founded by a former Apple employee, their seed-to-bar artisanal chocolates set new high standards for the world of edible confections.

 

 

JENNIFER SUND

Jenn is Co-Owner/chocolatiers of Rainy Day Chocolate with Chris Sund. She is a Sonoma County local, with diverse employment backgrounds, a foodie obsession, and a desire for a better world: "We created Rainy Day Chocolate to bring real chocolate flavor to our Bay Area community and more.

Proudly part of the American Chocolate Revolution: It is our goal to awaken people to the true flavors available from Single-Origin Chocolate."

www.RainyDayChocolate.com

ALICE MEDRICH

Chocolate guru, author and entrepreneur ALICE MEDRICH to Present at the Salon, as well as sign copies of her new books, "Cocolat: Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts" and "Gluten Free Flavor Flours"

www.alicemedrich.com

PARTICIPATING PANELISTS & JUDGES

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