It’s February, and winter is dragging on. On Feb. 18, Homewood will offer it’s annual antidote to the cold, gray days ― an opportunity to boost the spirits with a three-hour celebration of chocolate. The 15th annual Chocolate Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will take place in the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road.
prepared by professional and amatuer bakers. (Chronicle
file photos)
It’s February, and winter is dragging on.
On Feb. 18, Homewood will offer it’s annual antidote to the cold, gray days ― an opportunity to boost the spirits with a three-hour celebration of chocolate.
La Voute baking team
offers samples at the
2016 Chocolate Fest.
The 15th annual Chocolate Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will take place in the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road.
This year’s festival will feature a baking demonstration by Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory, children’s activities, PopUp SCIENCE chocolate demonstration and a variety of vendors with sweets, desserts and gourmet baked goods.
The event culminates with the Chocolate Bake-Off Contest for professional and amateur bakers. Judges will determine who earns the title of “Home Sweet Homewood’s Master Pastry Chef.”
Among the judges this year will be Aimee Shugarman, whose food blog, “Shugary Sweets” focuses on dessert recipes.
The best part ― for chocolate lovers ― is the opportunity to sample the treats made by the bake-off contestants. The public tasting will begin at 12:45 p.m., and the winner will be announced at 1:30 p.m.
The village asks people to make a small donation in return for the chocolate samples. Proceeds raised from this year’s bake-off will benefit the Theatre & Arts Leadership Kouncil, a local teen arts organization.
Applications for the bake-off are available at homesweethomewood.com. Bakers in the amateur category must represent a local business or a service or non-profit organization. Recipes need to include chocolate and must be made by hand.
The deadline to enter the bake-off is Tuesday, Feb. 14.
The cooking demonstration this year will be provided by Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory. Owner Jayme Goffin will show audience members how to create a unique s’more bar using homemade chocolate ganache and thinking outside the graham cracker.
Kids and families will have a chance to learn about how chocolate is made if they visit the Homewood Science Center’s “Crazy for Cacao” PopUp Science hands-on activity. Participants will discover how the cacao bean from Central American jungles is transformed to the delicious dessert.
The Community Relations Committee is also providing a free apron-decorating activity for kids.
Vendors at the 2017 Homewood Chocolate Festival include Bakewell Bakery, Bob’s Belgian Hot Chocolate, The Cottage on Dixie, Covered in Chocolate, Fabulously Sweet Creations, Fannie May, Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory, Short and Sweet Tasty Treats, Tiddleywink Toffee and more.
The Homewood Business Association is also selling their Chocolate Passports Around the World.
For more information, visit www.HomeSWEETHomewood.com or call 708-798-3000.
More information:
www.shugarysweets.com/about-me
Bake-off registration form: bit.ly/2kJRYgQ