Chocolate Fest 2013 Opens Tonight!

[Editor's note: The following was submitted by Micki Carter.]

By Micki Carter

Chocolate candy, ice cream, cookie and dessert makers from the Peninsula and the entire Bay Area will offer their chocolate wares for tasting Oct. 4 and 5 at the 31st annual Chocolate Fest, sponsored by the Congregational Church of Belmont.

This event will take place at the church, 751 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont.

The tastings will be:

• Session 1, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 

• Session 2, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5

• Session 3, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.

Among the chocolate specialists who will participate this year will be A-Lot-A Gelato and More, Cheryl’s Cookies, Emay’s Sweet Shop, Glinda’s Fudge, It’s It!, Guittard Chocolate Co., Preston's Candies, Kathy's Kreative Kakes, Jade’s Chocolates, Lunardi’s Bakery, Whole Foods Market, Café Mossant, Bud’s Ice Cream/Berkeley Farms, Schurra's Candy Factory, Trader Joe’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Sharona’s Chocolate Shop.

Michael Medwid’s Jazz Ensemble will play at each session which will also feature door prizes, champagne and gourmet coffee provided by Beneficio More-Than-Fair-Trade Coffee.

Last fall, nearly 1,000 guests took part in Chocolate Fest 2012. Proceeds benefited local hunger and homeless programs such as the San Mateo Emergency Winter Shelter, Samaritan House, Second Harvest, Habitat for Humanity, Home & Hope and projects within the church. Similar programs will benefit this year.    

Tickets for the afternoon session are $17.50 pre-sale or $20 at the door; in the evening, tickets are $22.50 pre-sale or $25 at the door. Children and seniors will be admitted for $15 in the afternoon.

Order online at http://www.uccbelmont.org/events.html or call 650-593-4547.