Chocolate Fest 2011 October 7, 2011

Oct. 7, 7:30-10pm; Oct. 8, 1:30-4pm and 7:30-10pm

Chocolate candy, ice cream, cookie and dessert makers from the Peninsula and the entire Bay Area will offer their chocolate wares for tasting Oct. 7 and 8 at the 29th 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. 7; Session 2, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8; and Session 3, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

Among the chocolate specialists who will participate this year will be A-Lot-A Gelato and More, Edible Arrangements, Guittard Chocolate Co., Preston's Candies, Kathy's Kreative Kakes, Jade's Chocolates, Lunardi's Market, Terrific Toffee Treats, Whole Foods Market, Cafe Mossant, Foxy's Toffee, Bud's Ice Cream/Berkeley Farms, Schurra's Candy Factory, Neo Cocoa, Trader Joe's, D'Sweets, Sharona's Chocolate Shop, Erin's Sweet Treats and Xocai Chocolate.

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 of Sacramento.

Last fall, nearly 1,000 guests took part in Chocolate Fest 2010. Proceeds benefited such programs as the San Mateo Emergency Winter Shelter, Samaritan House, Second Harvest, the Bay Area AIDS Ministry, the Center for the Independence of the Disabled, Habitat for Humanity, the Interfaith Hospitality Network 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.

Official Website: http://www.uccbelmont.org