by Marion Smith
The Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in South Africa, in collaboration with its Tourism Office, hosted an engaging chocolate-making workshop at the embassy in Pretoria, bringing together members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished guests for a delicious introduction to the West African country’s world-renowned cocoa heritage.
Hosted by Madame Suzanne Kabbani, an Ivorian master chocolatier and founder of Les Douceurs de Suzanne, the workshop celebrated the journey of cocoa from the farm to the finished chocolate creation, highlighting the craftsmanship, creativity and local ingredients that make Ivorian chocolate distinctive.
Established in Côte d’Ivoire in 2006, Les Douceurs de Suzanne is a luxury chocolate brand dedicated to producing high-end chocolate made entirely in Côte d’Ivoire, using cocoa sourced from local producing regions. The brand combines traditional chocolate-making techniques with innovative flavours inspired by the country’s natural bounty.
Guests were treated to a live demonstration by Kabbani, who explained the process of transforming cocoa beans into the indulgent chocolate enjoyed around the world. Her presentation offered insight into the skill and attention to detail involved in chocolate production, from the cocoa farms to the chocolatier’s hands.
Her creations showcase the versatility of Ivorian ingredients, incorporating distinctive local flavours such as baobab, tamarind, millet and ginger. These unique infusions offer a contemporary interpretation of chocolate while celebrating the richness of Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural heritage.
The workshop also highlighted the people behind the product: the cocoa farmers whose work sustains one of the country’s most significant industries.
Beyond creating luxury chocolates, Les Douceurs de Suzanne has a social mission to support cocoa-producing communities across several Ivorian regions. Through customer purchases, the initiative contributes towards financial, educational and medical assistance for farmers and their communities.
This commitment reflects the importance of adding value to locally produced commodities, ensuring that cocoa is celebrated not only as an internationally traded product but also as a source of opportunity and community development in its country of origin.
Welcoming members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished guests to the embassy, the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Sakaria Kone, officially opened the workshop. His welcome underscored the value of cultural diplomacy in bringing people together through shared experiences, culinary traditions and a deeper appreciation of Côte d’Ivoire’s identity.
Ahmed Soro played an instrumental role in coordinating the workshop, helping to bring the initiative to life and creating an opportunity for guests to engage with Ivorian culture in a memorable and interactive setting.
The event demonstrated how food can serve as a powerful bridge between cultures while opening conversations about tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
For attendees, the experience offered more than a taste of fine chocolate. It provided an opportunity to discover the story behind each creation, from the cocoa-producing regions of Côte d’Ivoire to the hands of a master chocolatier.
As Côte d’Ivoire continues to showcase its cultural and tourism offerings to South African audiences, initiatives such as this chocolate-making workshop highlight how the country’s agricultural excellence can be transformed into a distinctive luxury experience.
And with every carefully crafted chocolate, a little piece of Côte d’Ivoire’s heritage finds its way to the world.
