A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the Sweet Temptation Expo, the first of its kind held in Melbourne. The Expo was to highlight all aspects of sweet confections – from cupcakes to edible image candy bars to candy importers. The best part of the expo was wearing a press pass – it was like being instantly transported into the ‘cool group’ as the various stall holders made a beeline for me and then talked my ears off. I now know more about the manufacture of sugar-free gummy bears than anyone really should!
As it was the first of its kind, the Expo was a little unclear as to who its target market was. I attended the Expo on the ‘trade’ day and found many of the stallholders unwilling to part with samples. When questioned as to why this was, many of them said they were waiting for the general public (weekend) days. The mixture of stalls was quite eclectic as well – major distributors with 20 page catalogs were housed next to one-man-band chocolatiers with only a few products (or, notably, only ONE product in the entire range).
I licked, sipped, chewed, chomped, and overall gorged myself through the halls of the Expo for about two hours. I found myself not only teetering on the verge of sugar-induced diabetic shock, but also amazed at just how far the confectionery industry in Australia has grown. I suppose it’s not surprising, given how sweet-oriented this country is. Progress, clearly, comes in the form of walls and walls of nougat, as everyone seemed to have some. (Note: The chili flavor was… well… hot.)
I did, however, also find myself wishing we could halt the gears of progress… particularly when I was asked (forced) to try a Goji berry chocolate drink. The sales rep spent five minutes telling me how this foul, green, totally hurl-worthy ‘chocolate’ drink was going to transform my life. Ignoring my choking, she then told me most people drink it ‘neat’ and that the nuggets of Goji chocolate were just ‘delightful and amazing.’ She then tried to get me to pay $2 for a tiny nugget of this choco-crud and was quite insulted when I begged off. It was the only time at the Expo I found myself wanting to rip off that press pass and feign indifference!
I’m looking forward to seeing some improvements in next year’s Expo. Namely, the death of ‘healthy’ chocolates on offer.
Why wasn’t I told? I would have been there in a flash. I only live in Canberra. Only a 7 hour drive and I could have been eating my way through sweet heaven. I am not sure why some weren’t willing to provide the trade with samples. Why would you keep them for the general public when it is the trade you are wanting to sell to?? Great blog by the way. Hope you can check out my site at http://www.only-cookware.com/
September 15th, 2007 at 7:23 amHi Paula,
It was heavily advertised all over Melbourne – I’m not sure why it didn’t make it into wider Australian media. I was really quite annoyed about the ‘no samples on trade day’ thing. While I know they want to get their product out there to customers, it’s the trade who is going to be buying it by the truck load, not the average joe. Like I said, they need to make a few improvements. In any case, thanks for reading Candy Addict – I was beginning to think I was the only person in Australia who did!
MichelleG
September 16th, 2007 at 6:52 amHi,
I would like to know if this year 2008 there will be a chocolate expo in Melbourne.
Thanks
April 14th, 2008 at 12:56 amGaby Company