What’s better than chocolate?
How about a ballroom full of the highest quality artisan chocolates? Sounds pretty good, right?
That’s exactly what you’ll find this Sunday at the Cocoanut Grove. The 7th annual Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival is this Sunday, January 19, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, and it’s going to be delicious.
What to Expect
The festival, which is sponsored by the UCSC Women’s Club, will feature chocolates of all types, from decadent sweets to unexpected savory delights.
The event has grown since its initial festival seven years ago. The first event was hosted downtown at the Attic, but the packed house forced a move the following year to the Cocoanut Grove, where it has been hosted every year since.
The event will feature 30 vendors (see a complete list here). You can expect plenty of chocolate truffles, cake, ganache, ice cream, fondue, cupcakes, and even savory dishes made with chocolate. There will be plenty of wine, coffee and milk to help wash it all down.
Additional activities include a silent auction, wine tasting, and cupcake decorating.
Chocoholic of the Year
Each year the Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival names a “Chocoholic of the Year.” This is simply someone who loves, and can’t get enough, chocolate. The winner receives a basket full of chocolate goodies.
Nominees are in, and you can vote for this year’s Chocoholic of the Year here.
Previous winners of the Chocoholic award include Donna Maurillo in 2009, Susan Karon in 2010, Linda Beach in 2011, Ann Berry-Kline in 2012, and Lorraine Margon in 2013.
Chocolate For a Cause
This event isn’t just about yummy treats.
The event is hosted by the UCSC Women’s Club, a non-profit organization that raises funds for students returning to college. All proceeds from the Chocolate Festival benefit scholarships for UCSC re-entry students.
Over the past 30 years the UCSC Women’s Club has awarded over 300 scholarships for a total of $198,242. The chocolate festival has raised over $60,000 over the past six years.
7th Annual Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival
Sunday, January 19, 2014, from 1:00 pm – 4:00
Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tickets: $15
Purchase tickets here
Top Photo: © tamifreed – Fotolia.com
Hands down my favorite event of THE YEAR! I’ve been going with a girlfriend since it moved to the Cocoanut Grove. Highly recommend!