Festival of Chocolate

As the festival opening nears with our Salon du Chocolat on Thursday October 15, samplings of chocolate, wines, beers, scotches, liqueurs, and teas to be featured during the next three weeks will be in abundance.

Among those making appearances at the Salon will be chefs from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts showcasing their Cooking with Chocolate event and providing delicious dessert samples.

Heather (Hodie) Rondeau of XOXOLAT will be showcasing their Scotch and Chocolate Pairing event with some scotch and chocolate samplings.  The event will feature Finlaggan, Ileach peaty, Ileach cask, Laphroaig and Single Malt Scotches, valued at $71 to $150 a bottle.  Be sure to stay for the white and dark truffles as well as other desserts and coffees prepared by PICA chefs and culinary arts students.

In addition, Okanagan Spring Brewery and Sleeman’s will be showcasing a selection of ales, lagers, porters and more from their Craft Beer and Chocolate Event.  Craft beers to be featured include Okanagan Spring Porter, Brewmaster’s Black Lager, Okanagan Spring Pale Ale, Blanche De Chambly and Ephemere Cassis.

Chef John Garrett from Horizons Restaurant will be on hand to provide samples of ahi tuna tataki.  Along with Chocolatier Wim Tas of ChocolaTas, Chef Garrett has created a five course menu of chocolate and West Coast fare with paired wines for the final Chocolate ce Soir event.

Other features not to be missed at the Salon include Survivor Boot Camp, Beverage Concepts and Lindeman’s Fruit Beers, Pampered Chef, Veracis Wellness, Saturna Vineyards, Planet Organic, John Gerum of West Coast Wine Education and Edward Suter of Schokolade Artisan Chocolate & Café.  Samplings will be provided by Ruben’s Chocolates and Tealicious.

Entertainment will be provided by Joyelle Brandt, the Ken Abel Jazz Trio, and Michael the Magician.

Shaw TV’s Johanna Ward will be on location at the Red Robinson Theatre from 1-3pm to cover Salon events.

Tickets are still available for the Salon at http://www.vtixonline.com/event.php?event_id=103 (for group tickets of 6 or more, email  dawn@festivalofchocolate.ca call 604.628.9547 to inquire about special pricing).

Sophie Liu of Global TV stopped by Chocolate Works on Wednesday to tape a segment that will be aired on Global’s Saturday Morning News show.  On hand were 2009 WCCF Board of Directors, Sandy Priestly (WCCF President) and Dawn Donahue (Festival Director), Maria Schollen (Festival Coordinator) and Kirsten Swallow (Public Relations Coordinator) to give an overview of festival events.

Chocolate display at the Global TV shoot complete with chocolate fountain

Maria and Sandy had set up a beautiful spread showcasing the vast collection of sponsors and samples that can be found during the festival.  The display included a dizzying array of chocolates of all kinds, colors and tastes as well as fine wines and single malt scotches they were to be paired with.  Of course, some sampling was involved.  How could you not?

Single Malt Scotch and Chocolate display

The showcase specifically highlighted some must-see events such as the Tealicious Chocolate Tasting, Single Malt Scotch and Chocolate, and the Chocolate ce Soir.  Always sold-out for its originality and elegant ambience, the Single Malt Scotch and Chocolate event will feature samplings of Ileach Peaty, Finlaggan Old Reserve,Ileach cask strength and Laphroaig 10 yr old single malt scotches paired with chocolates from Xoxolat Chocolaterie.  Handmade white and dark chocolate whisky truffles with desserts from the chefs at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts on Granville Island will complete the event.

Tealicious Chocolate Tasting display

As a new event this year, the Tealicious Chocolate Tasting will be a unique and innovative afternoon guided by Tea Master Nancy Prokosh at The Gathering Place in Port Coquitlam who will be introducing the fusion of two classically elegant delights: tea and chocolate.  The display also featured Say See Bon’s famously delicate French macarons.

Chocolat ce Soir display

A separate table was set up to represent the festival’s crowning event, the Chocolat ce Soir at Horizon’s Restaurant on Burnaby Mountain.  An upscale dinner in a breath-taking setting, this will feature a multi-course menu designed by Chef John Garrett, renowned for his West Coast fare, and Maître Chocolatier Wim Tas of ChocolaTas.

Finally to end the segment, Sophie and her crew toured the chocolate factory, donning the ever-so-stylish hairnet and gown ensemble, to get an up-close glimpse at chocolate production.

Dawn Donahue, of Go Golf Events Management, is the President and CEO of the Chocolate Festival. A big thanks to Dawn for all her time, leadership, mentorship, and investment in the Festival of Chocolate and the interns and volunteers. Your vision, dedication, and business acumen is leading the chocolate festival to its global stature.

Global TV will be airing the Chocolate Festival segment on Sunday, October 11th from 9:00 am-10:00 am on Sophie Liu’s Sunday Morning News.