Add Chocolate to Your Travel Plans

Why not add chocolate pleasure to your travel plans this year? Here are two festivals—a new one in Vermont and a venerable one in San Francisco to check out.

May: Vermont’s First Annual chocolate Show in Stowe
The first annual Vermont Chocolate Show will take place on May 26 and 27 at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa. The show will feature the artistry and craftsmanship of chocolatiers from Vermont, New England, New York and beyond.  Show times are Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Show activities include:

• Sales and Sampling - Vendors will be showcasing their chocolate-related products.

• Chocolate Education Programs - Renowned pastry chefs will provide cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend, and health experts will discuss the health benefits of chocolate.

• Chocolate Art Display - Chocolate sculptures prepared by local chefs will be on exhibit during the Show.

• Children’s Chocolate Land - A special area for children’s activities will be set up to entertain and satisfy the younger chocolate lovers.

• Chocolate Martini and Beer Lounge  - Chocolate lovers older than 21 will have access to a private lounge where they can enjoy chocolate martinis made with local vodka and Vermont- made chocolate stouts.

• The Ultimate Chocolate Breakfast  - The Stoweflake Chefs will serve a special chocolate breakfast on Saturday, from 9am  until 11am.

• Chocolate Spa Treatments – Throughout the weekend, the Stoweflake Spa will provide chocolate spa treatments to benefit the body and the soul.

For chocolate producers and other chocolate-related business, the Vermont Chocolate Show is a perfect opportunity to meet consumers from throughout New England and beyond.  Any businesses or pastry chefs interested in participating are invited to contact the Vermont Chocolate Show at info@vermontchocolateshow.com.   Tickets will be $8 for adults, including 5 tasting tickets.  Children are $5.  Advanced tickets will be available online at www.vermontchocolateshow.com

The Vermont Chocolate Show is independently produced by Willie Docto and Darrick Pitstick, and is not affiliated with the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa.

September: San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square Hosts Twelfth Annual Chocolate Festival
San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square will host the 12th Annual Chocolate Festival, benefiting Project Open Hand, on September 8 and 9, from noon to 5:00 p.m.  The weekend-long chocolate extravaganza celebration provides festival-goers an opportunity to indulge in countless chocolate delicacies and desserts from renowned San Francisco Bay Area establishments.  Last year the Chocolate Festival raised more than $65,000 for Project Open Hand, enabling the organization to serve more than 17,400 meals to those in need.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, America's longest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer, is the anchor festival participant and will provide chocolate aficionados with savory chocolate treats, including and their signature chocolate-filled squares. Chocolate sampling stations will also be set up throughout the Square and on Beach Street.

 Some of the Bay Area's most praised eateries, bakeries and chefs will offer chocolate treats and demonstrations, family activities and live music.  In addition, last year's newcomer, the renowned signature cocktail Ghirardelli Squartini, makes an appearance once again at The Chocolate Bar.

This year's festival also includes the famous "hands-free" Earthquake Ice Cream Sundae Eating Contest, which will take place on Saturday.   Contestants will plunge into gigantic sundaes featuring eight kinds of ice cream with eight toppings in hopes of winning the grand prize -- his/her weight in Ghirardelli chocolate!

 For those who appreciate cooking with chocolate, chef demonstrations will take place in Ghirardelli Square's West Plaza throughout the weekend.   Local chefs share their culinary secrets and take chocolate cuisine to a new level.

Family activities include the petite version of the Ice Cream Sundae Eating Contest for children ages 5 to 12 years old. Young festival-goers will also have an opportunity to participate in chocolate arts and crafts and other lively interactive activities.

The 12^th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival is free and open to the public; however, tickets must be purchased to participate in the chocolate tastings.  Tickets may be purchased the day of the event at Ghirardelli Square and on Beach Street.  Pricing options for chocolate samplings vary.

For more information, visit www.ghirardellisq.com.

Edited by Patricia D. Sherman

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