Stopped by the World Forestry Center's Chocolate Fest yesterday for a bellyful of the rich, delicious stuff. If you haven't been yet- it's not too late! The Chocolate Fest runs through today from 10am to 5pm and is so huge it takes up three buildings for tastings and exhibits as well as a separate area for chocolate classes.
Tasty offerings included fine quality chocolates by Sweet Masterpiece and one-source purveyors like Claudio Corallo Chocolates and Cocoa Velvet; baked goodies include cookies, brownies, chocolate dipped brownies and cupcakes (Shout Out to Cupcake Jones for their densely yummy chocolate/chocolate minis), edible chocolate body butter from Lulu's Raw Chocolate Alchemy, sipping chocolate, and Guittard chocolate and white chocolate macadamia nut frozen yogurt from Active Culture.
But it wasn't just sweets. There is plenty of wine for those that want to pair this succulent beverage with just the right chocolate flavor notes. Folks like Hip Chicks do Wine, Thirst Wine Bar and the guys from Lago di Merlo were pouring spicy Shiraz and juicy Cabernet and Rogue Ales showed up with a creamy Chocolate Stout served up with chocolate pumpernickel bread and chocolate stout cheddar. Yum!
Though there was a half-naked woman being air-brush body painted on the stage in the Chocolate Bazaar (don't ask me what this had to do with chocolate but it was pretty amazing) the most eye catching thing was a group of young American Harajuku styled girls milling around the crowded tasting tables in frilly knee socks and sweet confection costumes reminiscent of the sugar plum fairies. These adorable girls were more than happy to talk about their love of the Japanese pop culture style and pose for pics for me.
There is so much more than I will detail here, as you need to experience it for yourself. Needless to say we had an excellent time and capped off our tasting with a go round at the chocolate fondue fountains courtesy of Dippity Doodads and Trader Joe's. We rolled out of the Chocolate Fest satiated and feeling at bit happier and a little more friendly to our fellow man. Maybe it's the serotonin talking but I think we could solve all the world's problems if we could just get all these grumpy world leaders together for a Global Chocolate Fest. I guarantee Peace treaties would abound.
Not in to football? Looking for something fun to do today? It's not too late...head on over to the World Forestry Center today until 5pm and get your dibs on a deep chocolate high.
