Homewood Goes Sweet on Sweets at Chocolate Festival

The 13th Annual Homewood Chocolate Festival celebrates all things sweet on Saturday, February 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 2015 Homewood Chocolate Fest features baking demonstrations, children’s activities, vendor booths and a variety of sweets, desserts and gourmet baked goods. Back by popular demand is the annual Chocolate Bake-Off Contest for bakers to compete for title of “Home Sweet Homewood’s Master Pastry Chef”. This year Homewood has created a professional category for the chocolate bake-off as well. This free event is located in the H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road.

“What better way to beat the winter blahs than with delicious chocolate,” said Village Events Manager Allisa Opyd. “This Festival is the perfect way to beat cabin fever, meet up with old friends and dive into decadent chocolate! This year we are excited for the cooking demonstrations by Bakewell Bakery and the addition of the professional category to the Bake-Off Contest. This is going to be one of Homewood’s yummiest festivals yet!”

2015 Homewood Chocolate Festival features cooking demonstrations by Bakewell Bakery. Patricia Ledsham will help kids create their own chocolate marshmallow teacakes at 11:30 a.m. and show adults how to make Tiffins, a chocolaty biscuit, at 12:30 p.m. In addition, kids get the opportunity to decorate a complimentary take-home cooking apron at any time during the festival.

New in 2015, the chocolate bake-Off contest includes both an amateur and professional category. The Bake-Off, hosted by The Community Relations Commission, is a spirited contest for bakers and confectioners to compete for recognition as “Home Sweet Homewood’s Master Pastry Chef”. A panel of judges sample each entry and select three winners. Once the winners are recognized, the public samples each entry in exchange for a small donation to benefit an area service group. The public tasting begins at 12:45 p.m.and the winner is announced at 1:30 p.m. The deadline for bake-off applications is Monday, February 16.

Vendors at the 2015 Homewood Chocolate Festival include Bakewell Bakery, The Cottage on Dixie, Enjoi! Bake Shop, Fannie May Candies, Popcorn Town & Candyland, Rocky Mountain Chocolates and more.