Source: Porirua City Council
ChoctoberFest is once more in the rearview mirror, having poured more than $200,000 into Porirua’s economy.
With the festival complete for the year, businesses have crunched their numbers and reported back on the positive impact of the event. The decision to hold the Whittaker’s-backed festival in the recent school holidays proved a success, with businesses noting a significant increase in foot traffic and sales compared with the previous three outings. Many reported new customers as a result of the month-long event.
After a public vote, Sushil’s Musclechef Café’s (Aotea) Molten Embrace took out the bake off, while The Jetty’s (Plimmerton) Nutty Blend won the drink section.
The Jetty’s Angela Bendall said their victory was the result of creativity and teamwork.
“Between The Jetty and our other café, Get Fixed, we’re passionate about crafting experiences that make people smile and want to come back time and again,” she said.
Sushil Ravikumar, executive chef and owner of Sushil’s Musclechef, meanwhile, said ChoctoberFest was huge for his business.
“We welcomed a lot of new customers from outside the region too,” he said.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said ChoctoberFest’s dual goals of supporting local businesses and showing off the artistry and innovation in our community had easily been met.
“ChoctoberFest has a now well-embedded recipe for success and it showed off how Porirua can be a destination for hospitality, as well as being the home of Whittaker’s of course.
“I congratulate not only our winners and place-getters, but everyone who took part and showed so much imagination in the drinks and baking. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with in 2026!”
Whittaker’s chief executive James Ardern said having the opportunity to engage with local businesses in the city where Whittaker’s chocolate is made was fantastic.
“Our team were also delighted to have over 300 Chocolate Lovers visit our pop-up at local food hub Kai Tahi on 26 September. We love the fact that ChoctoberFest just keeps growing because the community is so passionate about celebrating Porirua as the home of world class chocolate.”
By the numbers:
- Participating businesses: 32
- Drinks on offer: 28
- Bakes on offer: 18
- Drinks sold: 11,906
- Bakes sold: 5652
- Total spent on ChoctoberFest items alone: $201,909
- 4901 people rated what they tasted and were in to win a Whittaker’s factory tour
- Votes came from all over the Wellington region, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, Christchurch and Australia
The top three in each category:
Whittaker’s Bake Off
- Winner – Sushil’s Musclechef Café | Molten Embrace
- Second – Sweet & Co | Triple Chocolate Pistachio NYC Cookie
- Third – Black Beauty Caravan | Raspberry Rhapsody Brownie
Top of the Chocs
- Winner – The Jetty｜Jetty’s Nutty Blend
- Second – The Coffee Cart Elsdon｜Chocolate Cold Foam Cloud
- Third – The Regal Shortbread Co.｜Hok-ye & pok-ye.
