Hands-On Chocolate Workshops in Tobago
Step inside the Tobago Chocolate Lab at THTI, where Trinitario fine flavour cocoa and award-winning chocolate craft meet world-class hospitality training in an innovation-led space.
Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute
Presents the Trinitario Chocolate Lab
In the hills of Mt. St George, Tobago, The Chocolate Lab brings together a working hospitality campus and a fully equipped chocolate facility to turn raw beans and baking chocolate into skills you can build with. This is not just a kitchen — it is a lab for experimentation, product development and real commercial opportunity, designed for visitors, students, chefs and entrepreneurs who want to move from tasting to trying and from ideas to income.
Choose Your Chocolate Lab Experience
A Sip of Heritage: Cocoa Drinks Lab
A deep dive into traditional and modern cocoa-based drinks. From classic cocoa tea to contemporary chocolate beverages, this class explores flavour, preparation techniques, and presentation, connecting heritage with modern application.
Cultural & Beverage
Chocolate Moulding Essentials
A practical introduction to chocolate moulding techniques. Participants learn how to create both solid and hollow chocolates using professional tools, while gaining an understanding of handling, shaping, and finishing chocolate products.
Foundations
Kids Choco-Explorer Camp
A fun, hands-on experience designed for younger participants. Through games, baking, and creative activities, children explore the story of chocolate while making their own treats and earning their "Junior Chocolatier" certification.
Kids & Family
Tempering & Moulding Mastery
A hands-on class focused on the fundamentals of tempering chocolate. Participants learn key techniques including tabling and seeding, alongside best practices for achieving shine, snap, and consistency in moulded chocolate products.
Core Techniques
The Bean-to-Bar Express
A guided journey from cocoa bean to finished chocolate bar. This class introduces the origins of cocoa, explores traditional and modern production methods, and finishes with hands-on tempering and moulding. Participants create and personalise their own chocolate bar to take home.
Foundations
The Edible Souvenir: Truffles & Ganache
An introduction to chocolate confectionery, focused on ganache, truffle making, and finishing techniques. Participants learn how to balance flavours, create smooth textures, and present handcrafted truffles using local ingredients and flavour infusions.
Confectionery
Tropical Pairing Masterclass
A sensory-led masterclass focused on flavour, balance, and pairing. Participants explore how chocolate interacts with Caribbean ingredients, including rum, spices, and tropical fruits, while learning professional tasting techniques and flavour profiling.
Tasting & Experiences
Truffles, Decorations & Finishing
An intermediate-level class exploring truffle production and decorative techniques. Participants create flavoured truffles while learning professional finishing methods, including chocolate decoration, texture work, and presentation.
Advanced Techniques
Who the Chocolate Lab Is For
Plan Your VisitVisitors & Food Lovers
Seeking a memorable bean-to-bar journey and guided tastings through Tobago's cocoa heritage.
Students
Gaining hands-on, industry-relevant training that connects classroom learning to real kitchens, labs and product development.
Chefs, Bakers & Bartenders
Deepening technique in tempering, truffles, bonbons, cocoa drinks and frozen desserts.
Entrepreneurs & Local Makers
Exploring new chocolate products, professional-grade baking chocolate and opportunities that turn ideas into income.
Before You Visit
Find us on a mapArrival
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled start time to check in at THTl reception and make your way to the Chocolate Lab.
Late arrivals may shorten your experience and we may not be able to accommodate guests who arrive more than a few minutes after the scheduled start time.
Check your confirmation email for your exact meeting point, parking details and any special instructions for your chosen workshop.
What to Wear
Chocolate workshops are hands-on. Wear comfortable, breathable clothing that you don't mind getting a little chocolate on.
Closed-toe, non-slip footwearis required in the lab for vour safetv.
Long hair should be tied back; minimal jewellery is recommended!
Health & Safety
Our lab follows THTI food-safety and hygiene standards. Hand-washing and sanitizer stations are provided and hair nets or hats may be required in certain sessions.
Some activities involve hot sugar, equipment or alcohol; our team will brief you at the start of every session.
If you have allergies (nuts, dairy, gluten, spices, alcohol) please inform us during booking and again on arrival.
Age Guidance
Children's workshops are designed for specific age ranges; please check individual listings for age limits.
Experiences involving alcohol (such as rum pairings and chocolate rum cream) are restricted to guests 18 years and over. Valid photo ID may be required.
Changes, Cancellations & Group Bookings
You may amend or cancel standard bookings up to 48 hours before your scheduled start time at no additional charge.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of your experience may be charged in full or be non-refundable, depending on the workshop type and group size.
Amend or cancel
You may amend or cancel standard bookings up to 48 hours before your scheduled start time at no additional charge.
Cancellations within 48 hours
Cancellations within 48 hours of your experience may be charged in full or be non-refundable, depending on the workshop type and group size.
Private groups, corporate bookings or educational tours
For private groups, corporate bookings or educational tours, bespoke terms will be outlined in your confirmation email.
Cancel or reschedule
If we must cancel or reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer an alternative date or full refund.
Private group and corporate sessions
Private group and corporate sessions can be tailored for schools, culinary teams and travel partners, including custom timings and focus areas such as drinks, bonbons or bean-to-bar.
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Workshop FAQs
Please note: The Tobago Chocolate Lab operates on limited scheduled sessions during its launch phase. Advance booking is essential and walk-ins cannot be guaranteed.
Our workshops have limited capacity and often sell out. We strongly recommend booking as early as possible once new dates appear in the calendar to secure your preferred experience and time.
Hours & Tickets
What are your opening hours?
The Chocolate Lab operates on scheduled workshops rather than general walk-in hours. Available dates and times are shown in our online booking system; additional sessions may be added during peak seasons.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Our workshops have limited capacity and often sell out. We strongly recommend booking as early as possible once new dates appear in the calendar to secure your preferred experience and time.
Are walk-ins accepted?
If space allows, we may be able to welcome walk-in visitors for selected sessions, but availability cannot be guaranteed.
Can I change the date of my booking?
Subject to availability and our 48-hour change policy, we will do our best to move you to another session of the same value. Please email us with your booking reference and preferred new date and time.
Do you offer private or group bookings?
Yes. We can tailor private sessions for corporate groups, schools, culinary teams and travel partners, including custom timings and focus areas such as drinks, bonbons or bean-to-bar.
Visitor Information
Where is the Tobago Chocolate Lab located?
The lab is housed at the Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute (THTI) campus in Mt. St George, Blenheim, Tobago.
Is parking available?
Yes. On-site parking is available for visitors at the THTI campus. Please follow signage to the main reception and Chocolate Lab entrance.
Is the lab accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Some areas of the campus and lab involve slopes or stairs, but in many cases we can adapt routes or activities. If you have mobility or accessibility requirements, please contact us in advance so we can advise on the most suitable sessions and prepare support where possible.
Is photography allowed?
Personal photos are welcome in most areas of the lab and shop, provided you follow our safety instructions and respect other guests. Your host will let you know if there are any areas where photography is restricted.
Workshop Experience
Do I need prior chocolate or pastry experience?
Not at all. We offer introductory workshops for beginners as well as in-depth clinic series for professionals. Each listing clearly indicates the recommended skill level so you can choose the right entry point.
What exactly is included in a typical workshop?
Every experience combines guided demonstrations with practical, hands-on work. Depending on the workshop you choose, this may include tempering, moulding, piping, hand-rolling truffles, pairing tastings or preparing cocoa-based drinks, plus tastings and take-home creations where food-safety allows.
Do I get to take home what I make?
Yes. In most workshops you will mould bars, truffles or other confections to take away as edible souvenirs, subject to food-safety guidelines and storage conditions.
Are recipes or notes provided?
Participants receive a class manuscript or key recipes and techniques so they can recreate elements of the workshop at home or in their own kitchen environment.
Will I receive a certificate?
Certain professional clinics and longer programmes may include a certificate of participation from THTI and Trinitario Chocolates, which can support your portfolio or professional development. Check the course description or contact us to confirm whether a certificate is included in your chosen workshop.
Address
Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute,
Mt. St George,
Blenheim,
Tobago
Phone
+1 (868) 660-2196Discover More Chocolate & Tobago
Extend your journey beyond the lab with stories, courses and experiences that celebrate Tobago’s hospitality, cocoa heritage and future-focused chocolate innovation.
The Chocolate Box
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Trinitario Online Shop
Learn more about the Trinitario shop
THTI Courses and Programmes
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