The alluring, rich taste of chocolate, in its sweet and savory forms, will be showcased at the third-annual Big Island Chocolate Festival on Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, at The Fairmont Orchid-Hawaii.
The alluring, rich taste of chocolate, in its sweet and savory forms, will be showcased at the third-annual Big Island Chocolate Festival on Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, at The Fairmont Orchid-Hawaii.
Headlining the event will be “Mr. Chocolate,” Jacques Torres, Food Network celebrity from New York City, plus Derek Poirier of Valrhona USA, Donald Wressell of Guittard and Stanton Ho for Amoretti.
The two-day festival of chocolate decadence opens with a student competition Friday, followed by public culinary and agriculture-themed, hands-on seminars and demonstrations on Saturday.
Fun culminates from 6-10 p.m. May 3 with the festival gala in the Grand Ballroom, where everyone can indulge in a host of sweet and savory culinary stations presented by top isle chefs, chocolatiers and confectioners.
Also on tap during the gala will be fine wines and handcrafted ales, chocolate sculptures, live entertainment, dancing and a silent auction.
Presented by the Kona Cacao Association, event proceeds will benefit the $150,000 “Equip the Kitchens” campaign for the future Hawaii Community College-Palamanui and efforts to build a community amphitheater at the Waldorf-inspired Kona Pacific Public Charter School in Kealakekua.
Tickets for Hawaii’s premiere chocolate gala are $75, and will be $100 at the door.
Buy tickets and find event packages and details online at www.bigislandchocolatefestival.com.
For more information, call 324-6100.