Event returns in 2026

The Salon du Chocolat et des Délices de Corse will be held from October 16 to 18, 2026, at Place Saint-Nicolas in Bastia. The fair will use 4,200 square meters of space and include 150 exhibitor stands from Corsica, France, and other countries.

Event aims for record attendance

Organizers hope the event will attract more than 38,000 visitors, surpassing last year's numbers. Paul Pierinelli, the fair's president and founder, expressed pride in the event's growth and its role in promoting Corsican gastronomy.

New godmother and female masterclass

Élodie Balesi, a chef at Sole e Monti in Quenza, has been named the fair's godmother. She has spent fifteen years at the restaurant, which has a 55-year history, and has built a social media following of nearly 60,000 since 2024. A fully female masterclass will feature Balesi with chefs Alexia Santini and Anne Marchetti.

Ivory Coast as guest country

The Ivory Coast has been selected as the guest country, alongside representatives from Greece, Italy, and Portugal. A special village of ten stands will showcase Ivorian cocoa and its producers. A partnership with the world's leading cocoa producer is planned, though participation remains uncertain due to visa issues.

Diverse activities and partnerships

The fair will include chocolate sculptures, artistic sugar techniques, and chocolate bread demonstrations. Family-friendly activities at the Chocoparc will include shows, games, and a children's train. Schools from the Bastia area will be invited, and several associations will collect funds. A partnership with the agricultural chamber will promote local products like hazelnuts and chestnuts.

Additional events and local news

The fair will also feature fashion shows, conferences, two free musical nights, and the Grand Prix des Saveurs U. Pierinelli emphasized the event's role in supporting the local economy and extending the tourist season. Other local news includes a renovated fire station in Bocognano, a new police station in Bastia, and the resumption of Air Corsica flights after a pilots' strike ended.