Who started Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival?

The Festival really began the day I asked one simple question: who makes the best hot chocolate in Whitby? I really appreciate good hot chocolate and became absolutely determined to find the answer. I thought it would just be a bit of fun - perhaps we could have a simple ‘chocolate off’ between a few cafés - but the more I asked around, the more I uncovered.

One young restaurant owner told me proudly about her chocolate brownies, someone else mentioned chocolate cocktails... before long I was visiting business after business in Whitby and was blown away by offers of chocolate puddings, chocolate stouts, chocolate-themed films, a free family event, workshops, competitions, treats and window displays, all waiting to be discovered.

So the idea grew. It was no longer a one-off tasting, but a whole festival where every business could bring their chocolate-themed creations and ideas to the forefront and invite people to explore and support everything that the town has to offer. It's particularly exciting that the Festival runs at the same time as Whitby Christmas Market, adding another layer of collaboration and interest.

And it got even better. I am on the committee of Whitby Defibrillator Project and realised that, by getting involved, every person and business could also help raise vital funds to keep Whitby’s 40 defibrillators in good working order - no small task! What began as a simple idea about hot chocolate has snowballed into something much bigger: a joyful community celebration with an important and lasting impact for everyone who lives in, and visits, Whitby.

Pamella Boland, Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival Founder