The Annual Hot Chocolate Festival returns for the 4th year from January 18th - February 14. Proceeds from the festival go towards East Van Roasters and PHS Community Services Society.
Hot Chocolate Festival Vancouver 2014 Participating Shops
- Blenz Coffee, International Village (603 Abbott Street) (NEW)
- Blenz Coffee, Waterfront (232 Howe Street) (NEW)
- Blenz Coffee, South Granville (2506 Granville Street) (NEW)
- Blenz Coffee, Fairview (695 West Broadway) (NEW)
- Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe
- Bel Cafe
- Bella Gelateria
- Chocolate Arts
- Chocolaterie De La Nouvelle France
- Coconymph Chocolates & Confections
- East Van Roasters (NEW)
- French Made Baking
- Koko Monk Chocolates (NEW)
- The Last Crumb Bakery & Cafe (NEW)
- Schokolade Artisan Chocolate & Cafe
- Thierry Chocolaterie, Patisserie, Cafe
- Thomas Haas Chocolates
- UVA Wine Bar (NEW)
- Gem Chocolates
- Leonidas Chocolates
- Soirette Macarons & Tea
- Terra Breads
View 2014 Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival Venues in a larger map
HIGH LIGHTS:
- Mixologist Lauren Mote (Uva Wine Bar) will be breaking the festival's former rule of ‘no alcohol’ with four cocktails inspired by traditional hot chocolate. Two without alcohol (one hot, one cold) will be available all day, while those of the boozier sort (crafted with Mote’s own Bittered Sling extracts) may only be sipped in the p.m.
- Flavours to try...
- * PARMESAN: The “Phaun’s Fancy” from CocoaNymph‘s lineup (named after the Classical Gods), unites chocolate with cheese and nutmeg.
- * LICORICE: Kerrisdale’s Gem Chocolates makes a ”Twisted Romance” of Belgian chocolate and Australian natural black licorice.
- * CURRY: Festival newcomer, Koko Monk Chocolates will fly chocolate lovers straight to Bollywood with ”The Brunette Bangle“.
- * POTATO CHIPS: Mink Chocolates makes a playful stab at the Food Network with “Paula Dean’s White Trash Train Wreck” - a caloric spectacle of milk chocolate, condensed milk, salted Kettle Chips and whipped cream.
- * CABERNET: Wine lovers will want to take a spin with Terra Bread’s “Call Me a Cab” - a joy ride of chocolate, red wine, cinnamon and pear.
- * PEPPERMINT & TUMERIC: Groovy, baby! Leonidas Chocolates captures the artistic temperament with ”Boho Secret” - a performance piece of honey, black pepper, peppermint and turmeric.
- * FOREST FIRE FUMES: Take the batteries out of the smoke detector! Thomas Haas Chocolates’ ”Campfire” will be smoldering with smoked Hawaiian sea salt and smoked caramel.
- Soirette Macarons & Tea. The drinks at this Coal Harbour sweet shop and café have been inspired by the Vancouver landmarks of Stanley Park, Chinatown, Grouse Mountain and the Granville Island Public Market. A cup of cedar-scented “9 O’Clock Gun”, anyone?
- Most of the vendors will be serving at least one drink featuring unflavoured, hi-cocoa content chocolate only. Thierry’s “Apamakia“, for example, will be made from a special plantation-grown cocoa that is exclusively available at their Alberni Street patisserie and cafe.
- Enter the photo contest for a chance to win gift certificates worth $500 from the participating shops. Your tweet should include @CityFood_mag, the name of a participating venue and #hotchocolatefest.
Strangely missing from this list is Beta5. The local artisan chocolate shop has been rolling in the accolades this year as one of North America's Top 10 Chocolatiers; after winning three medals at the Canadian National Chocolate Awards: One Silver and two Golds.
At the International Chocolate Awards they won a Gold in the category of flavoured dark ganaches for Fisherman’s Friend, a truffle made with the infamous cough candy and 67% dark chocolate from São Tomé and silver for The Whole Cherry, an innovative cherry-pit ganache with cherry balsamic jelly. The second silver was awarded in the category of flavoured white bars to the Black Olive Polygon Bar, which consists of candied Taggiasca olives enveloped in white chocolate.
Would you try these flavours?
