Philippine chocolate brand Risa Chocolates recently joined the The Chocolate Show London held at Olympia National Hall in Kensington.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) considers this a milestone as Risa is the first Philippine small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to participate in one of the United Kingdom’s biggest chocolate trade shows.
Risa Chocolates was the only exhibitor from the Philippines. British brands like Hotel Chocolat, Rococo Chocolates, and Paul A Young were represented at the expo.
Risa Chocolates is co-owned by Filipino couple Pam and Lawrence Cinco.
Their products are single-origin chocolates made from cacao beans, which are sourced from the Philippine provinces of Bicol and South Cotabato. According to Cinco, the finished chocolate bars do not contain soy lecithin, letting the cacao beans taste even better as they age.
Risa also created “The Pilitas” range, which are made of native Pili nuts – a local Philippine snack – covered in chocolate.
Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Evan Garcia visited the Risa Chocolate booth at the chocolate show alongside Commercial Attaché and Philippine Trade and Investment Centre London Head Kristine Umali to show support and encourage show visitors to try samples.
DTI noted that with the strengthened programs of the department in enabling micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to access new markets, it hopes to increase the number of MSMEs that participate in international trade fairs. —Philippine Information Agency
