The W Algarve hotel in Albufeira will stage a “Chocolate Odyssey” on October 9 and 10, an event that turns cocoa into the star of a two-day culinary celebration.
Bringing together Francisco Siopa, executive pastry chef at Penha Longa Resort, and Andrea Ciuccio, executive chef of W Algarve, the programme promises to offer a high gastronomy experience.
The event opens on October 9 with “The Alchemy of Chocolate,” a four-course dinner at the hotel’s Market Kitchen restaurant. Served “four hands” by the two chefs, the menu includes two canapés, an amuse-bouche, a welcome drink, and wine pairings, with a vegetarian option available. Dishes are prepared and finalised live in front of guests, adding a multisensory dimension to the evening. The experience concludes with signature chocolate-inspired cocktails. Tickets for the dinner are €90 per person.
On October 10, the focus shifts to “The Roots of Cocoa.” From 3pm to 5pm, Vino – the hotel’s dedicated wine-tasting space – will host a workshop led by Francisco Siopa, guiding participants through the journey of chocolate from bean to bar. Attendees will have the chance to create their own artisanal pieces before joining a tasting session, running until 7pm, of chocolates paired with selected wines, complemented by storytelling from the hotel’s resident sommelier. Tickets cost €45 per person.
Chef Francisco Siopa described the Chocolate Odyssey as “not just an event, but a gastronomic manifesto that celebrates the authenticity and versatility of cocoa.” For Andrea Ciuccio, the collaboration is an opportunity to showcase “an ingredient with infinite versatility, capable of awakening memories and creating new emotions.”
Reservations are now open and places are limited. Bookings can be made by phone at +351 289 372 300, or directly online.
