Even chocolate in Monaco now wears couture.
This month the Méridien Beach Plaza was suddenly transformed into a temple of taste, art, and philanthropy for the second edition of CHOKOLASHOW®, an event that is quickly becoming one of the Principality’s elegant cultural traditions.
Under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and supported by the Embassy of Italy, CHOKOLASHOW® 2025 was a multisensory journey where art met cocoa, generosity met glamour, and craftsmanship became a form of compassion.
Chocolate Canvases and Nautical Dreams
Before the gala unfolded, eight international artists were invited to create an unprecedented collection: artworks engraved on pure chocolate plaques, each inspired by the sea. These edible masterpieces were displayed at Wannenes Art Contact between September 25 and October 10, inaugurating the event’s cultural heartbeat.
The exhibition set the tone: refined, daring, and deliciously poetic. It was chocolate reimagined as a canvas of emotion.
A Royal Evening of Elegance and Empathy
When Prince Albert II entered the CHOKOLASHOW® Village on the evening of October 14, the atmosphere shifted from festive to magical.
The Sovereign toured the exhibits, congratulating each artist personally for their originality. Then, in a gesture, he signed a chocolate ingot, following the presentation of a delicate three-dimensional artwork created in his honour by Giorgia Tessarollo.
Nearby, under amber lights, an extraordinary object was unveiled: the first CHOKOLASHOW® chocolate bar encased in resin, studded with cri-cri candies and nearly four carats of diamonds, a fusion of indulgence and brilliance.
When Generosity Takes Centre Stage
Beyond the spectacle lay a deeper purpose. The charity auction, led by Wannenes Auction House, raised €9,300 for nine Monegasque associations, including a donation to the Prince Albert II Foundation. Among the coveted lots: a crystal cup by contemporary artist Antoine Pierini, offered by Passion Sea and its founder Helga Piaget.
The highlight came when the Prince’s portrait by Marcos Marín, a preview of the 2026 edition’s theme, was unveiled and signed by His Serene Highness himself, before being presented to philanthropist Riccardo De Caria, loyal patron of the event. Next year’s theme? A tribute to the Grimaldi Dynasty.
A Gala for the Senses
Dinner was an ode to chocolate’s versatility. Chef Laurent Colin, guided by Antonio Fochi, Vice-President of Slow Food Monaco and the Côte d’Azur, designed a menu where cocoa revealed its aromatic soul in savoury and sweet creations alike. Wines flowed generously; Frenk Bar in Fontvieille crafted cocktails that flirted with cacao in both spirited and sobre forms.
Amid the laughter and clinking glasses, artist Tony Belfatto was awarded the Public Prize for his captivating piece, handed by Valentina Trassy, last year’s laureate. His reward? To design the trophy for CHOKOLASHOW® 2026.
The Sweet Taste of Collaboration
Every detail of the evening spoke of generosity. Guests received elegant gift pouches filled with handmade treasures, Parmigiano ganaches, gianduiotti, cremini, Piedmontese cri-cri, and a Bacio di Sanremo. Each morsel carried the signature of artisanal excellence, from Turin’s Ziccat Pâtisserie to I Portici Chocolaterie of Salsomaggiore.
Meanwhile, Casa Amodio stunned guests with its audacious creation: mozzarella infused with cocoa, proving once more that in Monaco, innovation is the finest spice.
The evening closed with La Bottega del Gelato and the Miro Group gifting each artist a personalized box of chocolates, an invitation to return next year.
Beauty, Emotion, and Altruism—In Every Bite
Beneath the elegant décor of the Salon Méditerranée, adorned with natural floral compositions by Groupe Giardini, live music by Awana Gana filled the air with warmth. There was no posed group photo at the end, only genuine smiles, embraces, and a promise: to reunite again in 2026.
Because CHOKOLASHOW® is not just an event, it’s a philosophy.
It’s where art melts into empathy, where chocolate becomes a language of beauty, generosity, and shared humanity.
And in the heart of Monaco, that language speaks deliciously loud.
Beneficiary Associations:
Action Innocence · Fight Aids Monaco · Fondation Flavien · Les Enfants de Frankie ·
Association de Bienfaisance Eugenio Benedetti Gaglio · Société Protectrice des Animaux de Monaco (SPA)
Monaco International Hub · AVIP – Monegasque Association for Aid to Victims and Vulnerable Persons
