Chocolate needs no introduction, but the cacao plant has a few more delicious tricks up its sleeve. Cacao Salon, an intimate dinner in celebration of cacao and its surrounding biodiversity, is Chef Gresham Fernandes’ love letter to cacao. 

Gresham Fernandes is the Culinary Director of Impressario Entertainment & Hospitality, the powerhouse behind some of the most beloved eateries in the country including Smoke House Deli, Social, and Salt Water Cafe. For Cacao Salon, Chef Gresham brings his signature irreverent but thoughtful style to an ingredient that is deeply loved, yet little-known. Through Cacao Salon, featuring cacao and related produce, sourced directly from farms in the region, we hope to showcase the true versatility of the cacao plant.

Our farm partners include Kuruvinakunnel Tharavadu Farms, 6th generation farmers based in Pala, Kerala, and Kerehaklu, a biodiversity-friendly plantation in Chikmagalur, Karnataka.

We are also proud to be collaborating with Freedom Tree, our venue and decor partner, for Cacao Salon. Freedom Tree is a design and colour strategy studio with products ranging from designer furniture to home furnishings.

Goya’s Cacao Salon marks the celebration of India’s first Cacao & Craft Chocolate Festival.

Date: 11 & 12, November 2022
Venue: Freedom Tree Store, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: 3,500 + taxes

WHAT TO EXPECT AT DINNER

We’re going to reserve the element of surprise for our guests by keeping the actual menu under wraps. However, here’s a peek at some of the incredible produce and ingredients that will go into the making of our menu.

Chef Gresham will be working with Kerehaklu’s beloved avocados, their world famous coffees, Chikmagalur pepper, pomelos, and a few unexpected inclusions.

From Kuruvinakunnel Farms, he will be using passion fruit double-fermented cacao nibs, rambutan preserve, plantain jam, calamansi juice concentrate, and honeycomb.

Mason & Co will be sharing their unparalleled cacao butter, nibs, and chocolate.

And to celebrate the region, season and ingredients from in and around Bangalore, you can expect avarekkai, Malabar spinach, kandhari chillies, spent grain, matta rice, smoked honey, blue grapes, rose onions and more.