Brief History

Café Mariposa, in Lopinot, Trinidad, evolved from a family’s musical passion in 1984 into an award-winning, family-run eatery known for its unique cocoa-infused cuisine, sustainable practices, and cultural immersion, offering dishes like cocoa-roucou fish, decadent chocolate desserts, and farm-to-table experiences with ingredients sourced from their gardens and local farmers, all set in a tranquil hummingbird-filled garden with optional lodging.

• Origins (1984): After winning a music festival, the Guerrero family’s home became a gathering spot where they served coffee, tea, and baked goods to visitors, sharing their musical talents and homemade food.
• Official Founding (2001): Siblings Bianca and Arthur formalized the business, turning it into Café Mariposa with a mission to connect people with nature and local culture.
• Culinary Innovation (2011): Sister Marcia introduced innovative cocoa-infused dishes, winning awards that solidified the café’s reputation for creative, cocoa-based cuisine.
• ToryVen Brand – 70% Artisan Dark Chocolate: In 2013, our main maker Hyacinth, was trained at Cocoa Research Centre, The University of the West Indies. It was at that time that the ToryVen Brand was born. ToryVen is a contraction of our parents’ names Benedict ‘Tor’ibio and Hildred ‘Ven’ice.
• Sustainable Growth (2019 onwards): Partnerships like the Farmer-to-Farmer program helped expand offerings, focusing on local sourcing, grain-free, and vegetarian/vegan options, embracing sustainable gastronomy.