Chocolate Country

By Mark Loehrke
Appears in the November 2024 issue.

Road-trip to southern Indiana for the inaugural Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival

Artisanal chocolate” and “rural Indiana” don’t seem to intuitively go together, but a trip to Rushville, Indiana, this month just might flip that script.

Located roughly an hour in either direction from both Indianapolis and Cincinnati in the southeast quadrant of the Hoosier State (and about a four-hour drive from Naperville), sleepy little Rushville (population: 6,185) is now home to the Chocolat Café, Dustin Cornett’s buzzy small-town hot spot for decadent pastries, craft chocolate creations, and killer coffee concoctions. Since transplanting their Kentucky café last year to Rushville, Cornett and his wife, Mai (she’s the pastry guru), have been enamored with the classic Midwestern hospitality and charm of their adopted hometown.

That’s why they’re so excited to parlay their passion for chocolate into the debut Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival (midwestcraftchocolatefestival.com), a two-day meetup of chocolate vendors, craftsmen, and experts set for the weekend before Thanksgiving. And while Rushville might not spring to mind as a chocolate hub, Cornett says the connection isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem. “It felt natural to create an event that celebrates the artistry behind craft chocolate, while also giving back to a community that has embraced us so wholeheartedly,” he explains. “Rushville is a farming community, and craft chocolate—specifically, cacao—has a deep connection with farming as well. The town’s strong relationship with farming allows us to highlight the value of ethically sourced, small-batch chocolate and the work that goes into producing it, making Rushville an ideal setting for the festival.”

Kicking off November 22, and coinciding with Rushville’s Christmas on Main event, the chocolate festival will feature demonstrations, workshops, panel discussions, and of course, a wide variety of chocolate tastings (and holiday shopping opportunities). From serious chocolate connoisseurs eager to explore the nuances of different cacao origins to sweets-lovers just looking to sample some high-quality dark, milk, or white chocolate, Cornett believes the festival will appeal to wide array of attendees. And he hopes it will become a longstanding holiday season tradition in Rushville. “We want this to be a chocolate-centric celebration that caters to both enthusiasts and those just looking to discover something new and exceptional,” he says. “And we think people will enjoy the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of craft chocolate and explore a delightful small-town setting.”

More to Do

Some might say that man cannot live on chocolate alone (yet to be proved), which is why it’s worth exploring the sights, sounds, and, yes, nonchocolate tastes of Rushville and its surrounding area. Here are a few ideas:

• Revel at Rushville’s annual Christmas on Main event features a holiday parade, craft vendors and, of course, Santa Claus himself. facebook.com/RushvilleIndiana

• Grab a locally brewed craft beer at Fish Moon Brewery, which opened in 2020 in a restored circa-1910 furniture store in downtown Rushville. fishmoonbrew.com

• Find a good parking spot, tune the car radio, and take a trip back in time at the Skyline Drive-In, which has been lighting up its outdoor big screen in nearby Shelbyville since 1950. theskylinedrivein.com

• Drive over to Greensburg to see not only the Westport Covered Bridge (left) but a collection of vibrant outdoor public murals—plus a tree growing from the top of the town’s Decatur County Court House tower. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up a sweet treat from Cornerstone Bakery. visitgreensburg.com

Photos: Lila Callie Photography (Dustin Cornett); Heart of Rushville (Christmas on Main); Indiana Destination Development Corporation (RUSH); Kenneth_Keifer/iStock (bridge)