Listen up, chocoholics:
Whether you take your chocolate dipped, sprinkled, dark, white, nutty or piping hot with a dollop of whipped cream, you’ll find it all today at the Colorado Chocolate Festival.
The event — billed as 60,000 square feet of chocolate heaven — is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Now in its second year, it includes a gift market with dozens of vendors selling chocolates, jewelry, clothing, candles and more, along with a new “Carnaval du Chocolat,” which is geared toward kids and has a bounce castle, carnival games, clowns, kettle corn and face painting.
And of course, there will be plenty of free samples.
“There is more chocolate available than you would ever really want to eat in one day,” says event organizer Dana Cain. She was inspired to start this event after seeing a television special about similar festivals around the world.
“I thought, ‘I’ve got to do this for Denver,’ ” she says. Now, for the $7 admission price, visitors gain “access to hundreds of dollars’ worth of free samples.”
In need of a last minute Mother’s Day gift? Foodie moms may enjoy the huge assortment of specialty truffles in such funky flavors as key lime pie or chili pepper. Or if Mom prefers the classics, look for elegant handmade toffees and European-style chocolates from regional vendors like Castle Rock’s Belvedere Belgian Chocolate Shop or Longmont’s Funky Monkey Crepe and Chocolate Co.
If it all just sounds too gluttonous, Cain offers this insight: “Mother’s Day is a guilt-free holiday,” she says.
The festival’s jam-packed events schedule includes speakers and cooking demonstrations. Ruth Kendrick from Chocolot in Salt Lake City will prepare dark chocolate ganache on site. Chef Trusan Comstock of Evergreen will host a truffle-making demonstration. And Denver’s own “chocolate therapist,” Julie Pech, will offer her advice on chocolate-and-tea pairings and chocolate home remedies.
“Julie is a riot,” Cain says. “She speaks about the health benefits of chocolate, and can tell you what type of chocolate is best for heartbreak.”
Kids are encouraged to get involved in a huge chocolate mural, created throughout the day by artistic types armed with chocolate-dipped paintbrushes. (The paint is actually liquid white chocolate dosed with food coloring.) The result will be a 6-by-20-foot display of edible art.
KWGN-Channel 2’s Chris Parente will emcee the Chocolatier Championships this afternoon with prizes for the best brownies, fudge and truffles. (Last year, Parente dressed up as Count Chocula.) The winners of this year’s Chocolate Wedding Cake Competition also will be on display.
“A lot of families come together for this,” Cain says. “It’s a great way to start Mother’s Day early.”
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Colorado Chocolate Festival
Where: Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave.
When: Today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $7 for adults; $3 for kids 5-12; free for children under 5
Details: chocolate-festival.org
