Home 'Sweet' Homewood Chocolate Fest Set for 2/16

The Village of Homewood will present the 11th Annual Chocolate Fest on Saturday, Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. Homewood Chocolate Fest features live music, children's activities, vendor booths and a variety of sweets, desserts and gourmet baked goods. Admission is free and open to the public.

At Chocolate Fest, attendees will be treated to several baking demonstrations including creative fontant uses by local cake designer Karen Scobbie. Also, Wilton School of Confectionery Art instructor Michelle Boyd will demonstrate fun and creative cake pops. Demonstrations will happen at 11:30 a.m, 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

In addition, the Community Relations Commission will host the Chocolate Bake-Off Contest. This is a spirited contest for amateur bakers and confectioners to compete for recognition as Home Sweet Homewood's Master Pastry Chef. A panel of judges sample each entry and select three winners. Once the winners are recognized, the public samples each entry in exchange for a small donation to benefit student programs at H-F High School.

"Homewood's Chocolate Fest opened doors for my business," said 2012 Bake-Off Contest winner and owner of Tiddleywink Toffee, Laurie Norris. "After winning the Bake-Off last year I went from making toffees for friends and family to starting my business. Now my toffees will be featured the 2013 Grammy Award Gift Bags!"

2013 Chocolate Fest vendors include Cake Play, Cold Stone Creamery, Dove Chocolate, Enjoi Bakery, Karen Scobbie Cake Designs, Mitchell's Candies and Ice Cream, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Tiddleywink Toffee among others.

Homewood's 11th Annual Chocolate Fest is Saturday, February 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the H-F Park District Auditorium, 2010 Chestnut Road. For additional information visit www.homesweethomewood.com