More Chocolate Please – Chocolate Fest 2012

2012 Chocolate Fest

All of the calories I have burned during #Runstreak 2012 have been negated in one glorious evening that has a name of its own.  Chocolate Fest.  Do I have your attention yet?

Last night, my mother and I loosened our belts and our resolutions, before we attacked.  The Chocolate Fest fundraising event is so huge that it has outgrown the beneficiary facility; The World Forestry Center.

Never fear, there is plenty of room and plenty of chocolate at the Oregon Convention Center.  When the first vendor was serving chocolate martinis made with Bellagio sipping chocolate (yum!), we knew we were in for a fun evening out.

This was my first time at the Chocolate Fest so I made the rookie mistake of trying every sample whether I thought I would like it or not.  By the end of the first row, I was half drunk and getting full.  My mom had attended before so she was a little more selective in what she tried.  Before, we hit the second row, I reevaluated by game plan.

I’m not sure if it was the chocolate or the wine, but the vibe at Chocolate Fest was warm and relaxed.  The vendors were busy yet attentive and friendly.  Patrons were patient and not climbing over each other to get the biggest and best free sample.  Everyone was in a good mood.  An aphrodisiac even.  Several men tried to engage my mom in conversation.  She blew them off — saying the Chocolate Fest was the Club Med for “Chubby Chasers”.   I love my mom.

The Chocolate!

It was fun trying new flavor combinations.  Cocotutti, based out of San Francisco, and last years “Best in Show” winner had the most unique flavors.  Their Jasmine, Thai Ginger Chili, and Lemon Lavender truffles were almost too pretty to eat.  I’m only saying that because I have a slight chocolate hangover.  By lunchtime, I’ll be trying to find someone to go back to the Chocolate Fest with me.

Exotic Chocolates was another of my favorite vendors.  I purchased a tube of  Hazelnut Habanero dark chocolate disks as a treat for myself.  With the exception of last nights binge, a little bit of chocolate goes a long way and I know the kids won’t like them.

Locally, I really love Peggy’s handmade chocolates.  Her sea salt caramels are delicious and her chocolate covered pretzels are the bomb diggity.  If you like the salty sweet combo like I do, you can’t go wrong.  Peggy’s handmade chocolates are always tempting me at the check stand of the small little produce store I frequent and now I know she takes special orders.  I better up my running mileage!

Chocolate Fest runs from 11-6 Saturday, 1/21* and 11-5, 1/22

*There is a dark chocolate fettuccine demonstration on the main stage Saturday at 1:00.  I would like to point out that when I dipped tortellini in a chocolate fountain at a wedding several years ago it was a justified food pairing, not public intoxication.

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Poppy

Poppy is a runner, writer, and mother of 3 children ranging in ages from 5 to 14. By day she's shuttling teenagers to the mall or someone to a birthday party in between Costco trips. She may not have had a pedicure in 5 years, but she still makes time for moms night out, girls nights in, or local PDX events with good friends. Recovery from fun nights out include a healthy lifestyle of marathon training, triathlon training, and lean eating. Parenthood can be messy, but Poppy always manages to find the funny under the snot.

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