8th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival March 31st - April 5th at the
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa
The Kona Chocolate Festival's Gala Event is probably our favorite annual event, and all through the year memories of this event spring up and fill us with anticipation for the upcoming years Gala event.
In reality though the Festival is so much more.Dolphin Journey's and Na'alehu Theatre is proud to present this year's Kona Chocolate Festival, a week long celebration of chocolate with Farm Tours, Seminars, Miss Chocolate Pageant, a Kick-off Dinner at Huggos and Wine and Chocolate Pairings at The Mixx Bistro, and a special Sunday brunch at the Sheraton. The highlight of the festival is Saturday's Evening Gala featuring a chocolate taste-off competition with awards in professional and amateur levels, categories include sweet, savory, mole and sculpture. This years Gala Event will be held at the Keauhou Sheraton on April 4th.
Entries will be judged by world renowned Chef Sam Choy, Chef Vincent Tropepe from New York City, Pastry Chef David Brown, Autumn Martin - Chocolatier for Theo Chocolate, Cathy Smoot Barrett of Kailua Candy Co., and Madelyn Miller - Chocolate Atlas.com and TravelLady.com, as well as by attendees through "people's choice" nominations. Applications are still being accepted for the competition. Also included in the Gala are tastings from the competing chefs, a life-sized chocolate fountain, tastings of wine, champagne and specialty beer, a silent auction, and live music featuring Grammy Award slack-key guitarist Cyril Pahinui and the Salsa Latinos.
Attendees of the Evening Gala must be at least 21 of age. Cost is: General Adm $40 in adv., $50 at door, VIP Aloha Circle $125. A portion of the proceeds goes to support Kona's ACF's Chef & Child Program and students of West Hawaii Community College Culinary School. Sponsors for this event include The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, Kona Brewing, Kona Wine Market, Barry Cutler, Kona Chamber of Commerce, American Culinary Federation of Kona, Theo Chocolate, and Pacific Radio Group. For more information on all seminars and events, to make reservations, to purchase tickets, or to register as a chef or volunteer call 808-328-2255 or go to www.konachocolatefestival.com. Below is a Full Schedule of Events: Tuesday All day Vanilla Farm Tour with Vanilla based lunch includes: Around the island in a chartered van with stops at: 10am-12pm Upcountry Brunch Tea and Cooking Demonstration at the Hawaiian Vanilla Company in Paauilo 1pm Big Island Candy Company in Hilo 5:30 pm Kick off Dinner at Huggo’s (call Huggo’s for cost at 808-329-1493 ext.101) Wednesday Truffle Making Class with Autumn Martin Chocolatier of Theo Chocolate to be held at The Cocoa Outlet in Kealakekua (phone 808-324-6100) Thursday 9am & 10am Kailua Candy Company Tour 11am Kona Natural Soap Company Tour 6pm-10pm The Mixx Bistro Wine and Chocolate Pairing (phone 808-329-7334) Friday (the following classes to be held at Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort & Spa) 12:00 pm Xocai Workshop 1:30pm Chocolate Ganache Workshop by Autumn Martin chocolatier of Theo Chocolate 3-4:30pm Cacao Workshop with Nat Bletter Ph.D. in Ethnobotany and Sean A. Mandel - Chocolate Executive Officer Saturday 9am and 10am Hawaiian Chocolate Factory Tour 8:45am to 10am Children’s Chocolate Workshop with Cutty & guest chef at Sheraton 12pm Chocolate Beverages Workshop by Autumn Martin Chocolatier for Theo Chocolate at Sheraton 1:30pm Chocolate Spa at Sheraton 6-10pm Kona Chocolate Festival Gala Event at Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort & Spa features: chocolate samplings, chocolate taste-off competition, tastings of wine, champagne and specialty beer, chocolate fountain, live music of Cyril Pahinui & Salsa Latinos Sunday Special Brunch at Sheraton (phone 808-930-4900 for reservations)
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