Treats from previous Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival
The 7th annual Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 benefits UCSC scholarships, and I have lots of delicious food and wine highlights to share. The event is from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Cocoanut Grove by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
The Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival brings together more than two dozen vendors. Last year’s festival welcomed wineries for the first time, and that tradition continues in 2014.
Participants range from local confectioners and bakers like Snake and Butterfly, Original Sin Desserts & Catering, and Saratoga Chocolates, to local restaurants like Chocolate and India Joze, to vendors from other states (like Theo Chocolate from Washington). Other local companies who will be present include Zizzo’s Coffee, Mission Hill Creamery, and wineries Sones Cellars, Alfaro Family Vineyards, and Silver Mountain.
I’ll publish information about specific items vendors will have for you to taste, and more details on some of these companies, later tonight and tomorrow so watch for Part 2 and Part 3!
Each vendor will have treats such as truffles, cake, or ice cream available in exchange for a tasting ticket. Buy tasting tickets at the event (admission is free) or online. Each $15 purchase gets you six tickets. Another note: there will be a silent auction, cupcake decorating ($3) and some vendors are also selling chocolate products—remember that Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching!
The festival benefits re-entry student scholarships at UC Santa Cruz, for students returning to higher education after an extended absence, often students who are also parents or military veterans. The chocolate festival is presented by the UCSC Women’s Club, a nonprofit organization open to women of both the campus and local communities. The club has meetings throughout the year (except for the summer) with engaging speakers, and also hosts interest groups including book clubs. In the last 37 years the club has awarded over 330 scholarships totaling nearly $230,000 to deserving women and men for research activities, tuition and childcare.
The Details
Santa Cruz Chocolate Festival
Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz 95060
Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 1-4pm
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.