Dolphin Journey's and the Na'alehu Theatre invites you to the
9th Annual
Kona Chocolate Festival & Symposium
April 2, 2011
April 2, 2011
"It has been shown as proof positive that carefully prepared chocolate is as healthful a food as it is pleasant; that it is nourishing and easily digested... that it is above all helpful to people who must do a great deal of mental work." - Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
We are delighted to announce that the Eighth Annual Kona Chocolate Festival took place on Saturday April 4th, 2009, at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Presented by Na'alehu Theater, the mission of the Kona Chocolate Festival is to offer an event that entertains both visitors to and residents of the Big Island; showcases the creative talents of fine chefs, ice cream & candy makers, and chocolatiers; and highlights cacao farming and the chocolate industry in Hawai'i. In 2008, the Kona Chocolate Festival was attended by more than 1,500 visitors and local residents.
The 8th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival featured a chocolate taste-off competition with awards in professional and amateur categories. Entries were judged by selected local professional chefs and other experienced personalities, as well as by attendees through "people's choice" nominations. Savory chocolate creations were encouraged! Contestants prepared appetizers, entrées and desserts – all made with chocolate, of course!
The evening gala also included a silent auction, live music, wine and champagne, and specialty beer. A portion of the proceeds from the silent auction supports Kona's local chapter of The American Culinary Federation's Chef and Child program, and also a portion goes directly to the new West Hawaii Community College Culinary School in Kailua-Kona for the purchase a confection oven.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or comments. We hope that you will join us for the 9th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival!
Mahalo for your support and participation,
Michael Braun
Director, Kona Chocolate Festival
808-987-8722
Email konachocolatefest@gmail.com
Each year, the Gala Benefit Evening hosts up to thirty regional Chefs in a chocolate cook-off competition. This year's categories are sweet, savory, and new this year, mole, and sculpture ranging from sweet to savory. We encourage new interpretations in chocolate and highly encourage amateur participation in the taste-off. Professional and amateur chefs, caterers, and chocolatiers are invited to prepare appetizers, entreé, drinks or desserts - as long as they are made with chocolate, of course! Savory chocolate creations are encouraged!
Guidelines for judging the chocolate taste-off competition:
In evaluating each dessert, judges are asked to rate each entry individually, taking special care to not compare one entry to another entry. Entries are rated in terms of the following:
Once all judges have evaluated the chocolate entries and shared with the others their perspective on each entry, they tally the scores for each entry. If possible, they determine a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. There may be multiple 1st and 2nd place winners. Ties in placement are acceptable.
We were honored to welcome an exceptional team of judges in 2008:
Congratulations to the 2008 Chocolate Taste-Off Competition Winners:
The judges made the difficult decision as to who was the "Best of the Best" for the 2008 Kona Chocolate Festival Chocolate Competition. Here are the winners:
Overall Winners:
1st Place: Sweet Paradise
2nd Place: Kilauea Lodge
3rd Place: Hard Rock Cafe
Professional Sweet winners:
1st Place: Sweet Paradise
2nd Place: Kilauea Lodge
3rd Place: Hard Rock Cafe
Professional Savory:
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
Amatuer Savory:
Chrystal Leishman
Amateur Sweet:
Compliments