The Hunter Valley Gardens Chocolate Festival Is Back-- Chocaholics Beware

Hunter Valley,NSW (PRWEB) June 23, 2012

Celebrity chocolatier and chef Ed Halmagyi, who is also known as Fast Eddy, will be on the main stage at the Hunter Valley Gardens Chocolate Festival which is taking place on the 7th and 8th July 2012. Fast Eddy, who believes ‘when you do less, the ingredients can do more’, has an extensive knowledge of chocolate and food which he will demonstrate and educate guests with during the festival.

The chocolate festival used to be held on an annual basis at the Ivanhoe Winery, in 2005 the festival moved to The Hunter Valley Gardens, where more than ten thousand visitors were admitted into the festival grounds. Since 2005 participation has increased steadily, with some visitors returning each year for the latest tips and tricks from the celebrity chocolatiers as well as the opportunity to stock up with delicious sweet treats.

There is plenty of entertainment, some of the main features of the festival include the chocolate sculpture showcase, the only showcase in the world where public viewing is permitted, which provides amazing pieces that amaze visitors each year and is judged by renowned chocolatiers Adriano Zumbo and Dean Gibson.

The chocolate pavilion and market stalls where boutique chocolatiers provide a range of patisseries, desserts, breads, truffles, handmade chocolate soaps, candles, cosmetics, fudge, and cakes to name a few products, which guests are permitted to taste test and purchase.
Educate yourself by partaking in classes and demonstrations in the live patisserie kitchen where chefs provide tips and tricks to making delectable pastries and bread. Learn how to pair chocolate with wine in the wine and beer hub while sampling some of the best wine in the country and chocolate desserts from a local chocolate porter. The “History of Chocolate Walk”, which is a series of sign boards around the gardens, provides any chocolate lover with information, dates and facts.

Learn how to add chocolate to almost anything, with chocolatiers and chefs. Justine Schofield, a former master chef champion and celebrity chocolatier said “Chilli and chocolate work so well together. You don’t want the sweetness from the chocolate but by adding a little bit at the end, it makes the dish a little more extraordinary.”

Children are able to enjoy the chocolate with fruit and marshmallows which they can dip into the various chocolate fountains scattered all over the gardens. There is also a kid zone where they can partake in snow ball games, ice skating on a real ice rink or make their own snowman or snow angel.

The Chocolate Gateaux Competition which attracts participants from all over the world, will be held on Sunday 8th July 2012 over two consecutive sessions, the first session is from 09h30 to 11h30 and the second one from 12h30 to 14h30, the winner of the competition will be given a trip to Belgium where they will train at the Callebaut Chocolate Academy.

The head chef at Hunter Valley Gardens, Nick Vivian said “The Chocolate Festival is a fantastic day out for the whole family. The vibrant festival atmosphere coupled with an abundance of sweet treats will provide a fabulous culinary experience for young and old.”

This amazing annual event is one that you should not miss! With all the entertainment and educational activities, you will walk away feeling like a real chocolatier yourself.
For more information go to http://huntervalleywinetour.com/things-to-do/hunter-valley-chocolate-festival/
With plenty of entertainment and activity, the chocolate festival attracts people from all over the world.

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