Around the World in Chocolate Comes to Town Center on Tuesday

Chocolate aficionados will have the chance to taste and learn about their favorite confections next Tuesday night at the recently opened Chocolate Man store inside the Lake Forest Park Town Center.

Around the World in Chocolate will feature, “Chocolate Man,” Bill Fredericks, the current presidnet of the Northwest Chocolatiers Guild, and internationally trained chocolate chef leading a seminar on where chocolate comes from, and how it’s made. The event will also feature demonstrations, chocolate tastings, and the chance to purchase chocolate from the store, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center.

Fredericks opened his Chocolate Man retail store this week, nearly 20 years after starting the business to help put his children through college. 

“He’s (Fredericks) incredibly knowledgeable about chocolate,” said Wendy Tinker, owner of Bargello Bakery & Confections, and event organizer. “He was my first choice to present the basics of how chocolates go from "bean to bar."

Tinker also talked about what sparked the idea for the event and fundraiser. 

“The catalyst for the fundraiser was to create an event that teaches people about chocolate and gives them a chance to taste the amazing variety of chocolates available,” said Tinker. “I've recently launched Bargello Bakery & Confections and have a deep love of chocolate. I wanted to create an affordable event that offer a chance to let people experience true couverture chocolates.” 

Tickets for the event are $10, available at Brown Paper Tickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/209350). Half of the ticket proceeds, and ten percent of any goods sold by the Chocolate Man and Bargello Bakeries that night will go to Little Bit. For Tinker, choosing Little Bit was a no-brainer. 

“I love Little Bit! I love their mission and the children and adults that they help,” said Tinker. “I've worked with Little Bit in a variety of ways: I have helped with the horses and clients, I've judged at their horse shows and I've donated my confectionary products on many occasions. I have horses of my own (Arabians) and know how healing they can be. Little Bit is making differences in the lives of many people and if you watch them over time, you can see the tangible changes. It is amazing.”