Melt Festival of Chocolate coming to Rotorua at Easter

Alia Ryan is running the Melt Festival. Photo / Supplied

Chocolate lovers get excited - the inaugural Melt festival is to be held in Rotorua during Easter Weekend.

The Melt Festival of Chocolate is the brainchild of Alia Ryan, founder of Boost Fundraising and Events, and this week it claimed the runner-up prize at the 2017 Bay of Plenty Pitch Night.

Ms Ryan said the idea for the event came as she and her partner walked around Rotorua earlier this year.

"We thought we'd take a look around and see what stores were trading during Easter Weekend," she said. "And while it was awesome to see retailers open and people out shopping, things still seemed a little flat to me.

"There wasn't a lot of excitement or energy so I thought, considering I have an event company, I should probably come up with something."

The Melt Festival will begin on Good Friday (March 30) with the Cocoa Carnival. "The carnival will be a family event at Kuirau Park and be centred round a walking/cycling parade. There will be other cool activities and lots of hot chocolate for everyone.

"On Saturday and also at Kuirau Park, we will hold The Chocolate Cook Off held in the same vein as the old-fashioned cooking competitions held in the United Kingdom."

Ms Ryan also plans to hold master classes where people will cook with all things chocolate.

"On Sunday we will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by The Hits, throughout Rotorua. Rather than chocolate eggs, we will have wooden eggs hidden so it will be more like a scavenger hunt with prizes at the end."

Also planned are a chocolate fondue breakfast at the Novotel and a chocolate spa package at QE Health Wellness and Spa.

"There will be lots more added, what we have now is just the basic outline, but the weekend will definitely be about all things chocolate."

Ms Ryan said she was stoked to have the Melt Festival recognised at Pitch Night.

"Pitch Night was such a cool event. I love the whole concept of being able to practise what you are about and showcase your ideas before a supportive audience. It absolutely feels everyone there genuinely wants to support you in your business."