Last year, more than 25,000 samples of chocolates and sweets were consumed by attendees at the Colorado Chocolate Festival. This year, organizers expect that number to rise. Attendees may also purchase pre-packaged chocolates from the booths, to take home, or give as gifts for Mother's Day.
Special guests are Master Pastry Chef Johannes Busch from Johnson & Wales University and award-winning chocolatier, Robin Autorino of Robin Chocolates. Chef Busch will judge the Chocolate Cake competitions, and will do a live demo on how to make "soft caramel in chocolate shells" Friday evening at 7:00pm. Robin Autorino will demonstrate how to prepare ganache, a chocolate-and-cream based cream used to fill truffles and pastries, at 1:00pm on Saturday. Autorino, who was recently named one of the Top 10 Chocolatiers in North America by Dessert Professional magazine, will also have a booth at the festival both days, sampling and selling her prize-winning truffles. Both demos are free with fair admission.
Chocolate and Beer pairing classes and samples are also on deck, with Chocolate Therapist Julie Pech, both days. And annual favorite events, such as the Chocolate Crown contest to eat the most Hershey Kisses in 1 minute, and the kids' Chocolate Pudding Eating Contest return on Saturday afternoon. Winners get bragging rights and Golden Tickets, worth money at any booth in the festival.
