Chocolate Fest to Sweeten Up the Weekend

Start daydreaming about all things sweet, Homewood—Chocolate Fest will be here soon.

This year’s festival, to be held Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., features baking demonstrations, children’s activities, science demonstration, vendor booths and a variety of sweets, desserts and gourmet baked goods.

Back by popular demand is the annual Chocolate Bake-Off Contest for professional and amateur bakers as they compete for title of “Home Sweet Homewood’s Master Pastry Chef.”

“Hands down, this is the sweetest festival Homewood hosts” said Mayor Rich Hofeld. “The community really comes together for chocolate. It’s always exciting to see and sample all the amateur and professional bakers’ treats as they compete for the Master Pastry Chef award.”

2016 Homewood Chocolate Festival features cooking demonstrations by La Voute Bistro + Bar. Included in the demonstrations are how to make chocolate macarons and chocolatemousse. The future Homewood Science Center is also participating with a demonstration on the science behind chocolate. In addition, kids get the opportunity to decorate a complimentary take-home cooking apron at any time during the festival.

Another popular event is The Bake-Off, hosted by The Community Relations Commission. 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, Feb. 15. Proceeds raised from the Bake-Off benefit The South Suburban Humane Society.

Vendors at the 2016 Homewood Chocolate Festival include Bakewell Bakery, EmpandUS, Fabulously Sweet Creations, Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory, Pretzel Bizzare, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Tiddleywink Toffee, Vintage Candy Apples and more.

This free event is located in the H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. For additional information visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com or call 708-798-3000.