• Between October 17-21, at Host Milano, chocolate becomes the protagonist in an innovative event: sCIOCk – Cioccolato In Movimento, a unique arena conceived and led by master chocolatier Davide Comaschi.
This space promises to redefine the perception of chocolate, transforming it not just into a product, but into a universal language of creativity, sustainability and innovation.
"We named the arena sCIOCk to immediately convey, through the play on words between "cioc-colato" and "shock", the idea of an event that breaks the usual patterns," explains Davide Comaschi. "It wasn't enough for me to organize simple workshops or technical demonstrations. I wanted to create a living space, where chocolate would be presented in all its forms, in dialogue with mixology, coffee, technology and business. A place that would show chocolate as a fluid material, in constant transformation."
A platform for interaction and innovation
The sCIOCk Arena will host a series of conferences, masterclasses and round tables, bringing together pastry chefs, chefs, food designers and professionals from all over the world. What makes this event truly special, Comaschi emphasizes, is the direct involvement of the public: "We will not only have big names, both from Italy and abroad, but also interactive moments in which participants will become part of the creative process. I want the audience to not just be spectators, but protagonists: to touch and, literally, taste what innovation means in the world of chocolate."
Host Milano, with its ability to bring together the entire hospitality industry, is the perfect stage for the debut of this project. "Host is the epicenter of all innovations, the ideal place to show how chocolate can be at the center of a dialogue that goes beyond pastry. This is where knowledge meets taste, and this has been sCIOCk's goal from the very beginning," adds Comaschi.
The sCIOCk project comes at a time when the chocolate industry is marked by important changes. "Today's consumers are increasingly curious and selective. Although the mass market remains dominant, the premium segment is constantly growing, made up of 'researchers' eager to discover new flavors and unusual combinations," Comaschi observes. In this context, sustainability becomes an inevitable priority. "Cocoa, like coffee, is one of the most vulnerable crops to climate change, and recent price increases are a clear signal of this."
However, the master also sees an opportunity in this challenge: “There is a double advantage: consumers will be less and less willing to pay higher prices for low-quality chocolate, which will reward serious producers. Artisans and small businesses, who have always produced premium chocolate and cannot go below a certain price threshold, will see the value of their creations recognized on a wider scale. It is a time of challenge, but also of great opportunity.”
sCIOCk: More than an event
Who is David Comaschi, sCIOCk is not just a one-off event, but a starting point for a constantly evolving platform. The aim is for this initiative to go beyond the boundaries of the Host Milano exhibition and become a benchmark for professional training, development and cultural dissemination. “For me, sCIOCk is just the beginning,” he confesses. "Host Milano is the ideal stage to start from, but we are already imagining a path that will involve schools, events and creative hubs in Italy and abroad. I want chocolate to become a cultural movement, an international community that unites technique, innovation and passion."
With sCIOCk, chocolate claims a place of honor at Hosts 2025, confirming the exhibition's status as a reference platform for global hospitality and the contaminants that are reshaping the future of gastronomy. Through Davide Comaschi's vision, chocolate is no longer just a dessert, but a living story, ready to inspire and connect people around the world.
Article source: sCIOCk: at Host 2025, with Davide Comaschi chocolate gets moving
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor-in-Chief Arta Albă
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