Meet the Chocolate Queen of Cebu

Tags: Cebu Cebu dining Chocolate Queen Lifestyle Blog Lifestyle Blogger Lifestyle Blogger in Manila Philippines Meg Hernandez Meghann Hernandez Metro Mom Mommy blogger Mommy blogger in Manila Philippines motherhood Raquel Choa Raquel T. Choa

Raquel T. Choa’s ascent to agriculture royalty, as the famed Chocolate Queen of Cebu, is a tale that richly tells of one’s passion and purpose. Apart from being an ambassador of Philippine cacao farming, industry and creations to world, she founded the Cacao de Filipinas Fellowship (CFF) through which she shares the bounty and beauty of her advocacy to all. CFF is a non-profit organization which aims to teach, support and empower cacao farmers and their families.

She claims, “Their noble work is where my chocolate journey starts and ends.”

Raised in the mountains by her grandmother, Raquel’s childhood saw her surviving life in a land distressed by armed struggle between rebels and government forces. At night, her grandmother’s tale of Maria Cacao gave her comfort and peace. As the legend says, Maria Cacao would load her precious cacao beans harvested from the forest onto her ship, and travel through the river on to the open sea, where her ship would turn into gold. Her grandmother told Raquel and her siblings that Maria Cacao’s palace was a magical tree near their house, surrounded by cacao trees.

Raquel’s grandmother also taught her how to perfectly roast cacao beans, from the produce of the cacao trees, and turn them into tablea, which are like tablets or balls of pure cacao. She showed her how to make sikwate, which she would serve to the kids every morning. According to Raquel, the sikwate was filling enough to last them the entire morning journey, crossing seven rivers to school and selling food to other families.

Grounded by these childhood memories and humble living, she dreamed and worked for a better life for her family. She left the province and made her income even while in her teens — first as a household help in different homes in Manila, then through factory work back in Cebu.

Come marriage and the birth of her eight children, Raquel found a deeper connection to the artist and chocolate lover in her when she recreated her grandmother’s tablea recipe out of sheer memory. “I was making it for a friend who came to visit me. If I may say, I made it with love, as I pictured out my grandmother’s tired, loving hands, pounding and molding the tablea,” she enthused.

Her friend from Argentina brought the tablea with her to Europe. With their refined taste and discerning palate, Raquel was surprised to hear that Europeans took quite an interest in her creation. This paved the way for her to launch Ralfe Artisanal Chocolates and get into the export business.

Fueled by imagination and creative spirit, she made chocolates her canvas and crafted other artisanal eats out of them. She had a natural flair, coupled with experience and exposure, in growing and forming the Philippine cacao bean into shapes, products, and tastes the world loves. Word got around and food reviews led more Cebu locals and tourists to frequent her café, The Chocolate Chamber, where she serves a wide range of dishes concocted with her own chocolate.

What used to be a small enterprise is fast becoming a global brand. Her chocolates are requested by top international hotels and resorts.

She was given the title, “Chocolate Queen of Cebu”, as more people witnessed her determination, creativity and passion for Philippine cacao. Aside from speaking at global events, she continues to share her advocacy and spread positivity by hosting Chocolate Tours at her Casa de Cacao — where guests can experience a unique journey of gastronomic proportions, and get a taste of artisan delights that are truly Filipino.

Take the Chocolate Tour and learn about the evolution of homegrown Philippine cacao.

The Chocolate Chamber Cafe
Level 1, Verandah
Robinsons Galleria Cebu
Cebu City

Chocolate Tours at Casa de Cacao (By Appointment)
3349 Topaz St.
Casals Village
Barangay Mabolo
Cebu City

CONTACT:

Mobile Number: +63917-628-7661
Email Address: 1521TCC@gmail.com
Facebook: The Chocolate Chamber
Instagram: @TheChocolateChamber