Know Before You Go: Homewood Chocolate Festival 2015

The 13th annual Homewood Chocolate Festival is ready to sweeten your Saturday.

The festival 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.”

What to Know Before You Go:

When: Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Rd

How much? Free!

“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!”

Don’t miss cooking demonstrations from 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. Kids will also get the opportunity to decorate a complimentary take-home cooking apron at any time during the festival.

New this year, 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.